Banish the green beer! Every year around March 17, Irish-Americans, party people and amateur drinkers gather to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day and raise a glass to the traditions and culture of the Emerald Isle. You’ve no doubt heard of Guinness, Ireland’s most famous brew and the most popular stout in the world – but have you heard of Murphy’s, O’Hara’s or Harp?

A blood orange by any other name would taste just as delectably sweet and tangy, and look just as exotic—but no other name would describe this gorgeous, decadent, ruby-red fruit so well. A true star of the citrus season, blood oranges are on the shelf now. Get the most out of their color and sweet, almost berry-tinged flavor: Add blood orange segments to your salads, blend the sweet red flesh into your smoothies, and absolutely, without a doubt, juice that bloody citrus into your cocktails.

Here's a roundup of cocktail and drink recipes to get your tart little heart pumping.

“Brothers come quickly, I’m drinking stars!” screamed the monk Dom Pérignon in delight after discovering how to make Champagne: la méthode champenoise... or so the legend goes.

Today the chalky green hills of the Champagne region of France are still the only setting that can produce true champagne, but for the following classic Champagne cocktails you can feel free to use any kind of sparkling wine.

Edward Wallo and his wife Deborah didn't plan to be winemakers. As a young couple "tromping around Europe," they'd fallen in love with Bordeaux and French wine; later they'd found a slice of heaven in Mendocino County. At the time, many of the properties available in the area came with small vineyards. Theirs was a plot of sauvignon blanc. They thought about it, and decided to try growing some grapes.

Now, Yorkville Cellars is the most awarded organic winery in California. Getting from there to here, Edward says, was "a fun and enjoyable journey" that still brings the couple joy. What more could you ask for in life? How about a nice Anderson Valley Malbec?

Starting your day with an alcoholic beverage has a long history in France, where traditionally many people have believed that an early morning dose of wine kills parasites (tuer le ver = kill the worm) and promotes overall health and good living.

While “hair of the dog” hangover remedies are meant to sooth your body after a rough night of drinking, the worm-killing morning drinks are there to assist in your overall health plan and to make you feel even better. Try the following delicious brunch cocktails, and just try to convince yourself that these aren’t health drinks. Kill those worms!

With the Year of the Dragon officially upon us, it's an auspicious time to try out some new drinks. Mixologists from Canada to Hong Kong have been shaking up dragon-themed drinks in honor of the new year. Here are a few you can make at home, and a bit of inspiration if you feel like experimenting.

Just 'cause you like beer don't mean you ain't classy. And even when you're rockin' a baggy jersey and a smudged black eye, you still don't have to settle for cheap brews out of a can. In honor of the Super Bowl, here are a few beer-based cocktails that'll look elegant in your hand even as your mouth is cursing out the ref.

I've finally figured out how to have an amazing Valentine's Day: Treat myself like a princess, wear a pretty outfit, eat and drink what I like -- and oh yes, accept gifts of love from anyone worth my attention. Whether you're focusing on yourself by default this year, or sharing your happiness with somebody special, start preparing for a fabulous day now by making this traditional Eastern European liqueur made with sour cherries. It'll be ready when you are to mix up fun, bright pink cocktails that make delicious antidotes to Cupid's poison arrows.

Everyone knows about the bright red Bloody Mary, the most famous vegetable cocktail in the world that you can even get away with drinking for breakfast, thanks to its healthy properties. But did you know that vegetable cocktails come in almost every color of the rainbow?

While vegetables and alcohol might at first seem to be an unlikely pair, in reality the juxtaposition of savory and spirited provides a fresh slap of flavor that will wake up your taste buds.

Back in 1981, "organic wine" was a somewhat outlandish idea. Sure, some growers had committed to growing organic grapes -- but few could turn out a reliably drinkable wine without sulfites, fining agents and other chemical additives. Tony Norskog, a new graduate of UC Davis' esteemed wine program, wound up going organic by default when he decided to interplant his family's vegetable garden with his grapevines.

Today, Tony is the world's largest producer of USDA-certified organic wine.