I love a glass of wine when I go out for a meal or have dinner with friends. We always have wine at my book club. I truly enjoy the taste and the relaxed feeling. I certainly know my limits and never have more than two glasses. I enjoy some mixed drinks, but only have one because of the caloric intake and also because I am usually out somewhere an have to drive home. Wine always wakes me up in the middle of the night, so I drink plenty of water along with it. I was camping for a night with friends and we had vodka and cranberry juice -- one drink each. It was very pleasant. I almost never drink at home. I just don't enjoy sitting by myself and drinking. I'd have a glass of wine from time to time but I end up pouring out most of the bottle because it goes bad before I finish it. I don't like beer, never have. I would absolutely never force a drink on anyone else. I bet the person who did that was three sheets to the wind. Lots of people have good reasons for not drinking and I respect that. I am sorry your vacation was miserable, Olliesmom.

Deanna, as has been mentioned, that stuff lasts forever. Mom puts Kahlua in her coffee and I have a recipe for Kahlua bundt cake that I haven't made in a long time. It starts with a cake mix and now if I'm going to "waste calories" on cake, it sure isn't going to be a mix, LOL. Plus I never have Kahlua on hand. Mom loves this one, though, maybe I'll have to break out the bundt pan and make one for her birthday next month... I'd use the cherry brandy for the fruitcake, BTW, Grandma always drizzled hers with cherry or blackberry brandy. The peach and apple stuff I'd probably put into BBQ sauce, I like the fruity addition on chicken or pork. Peppermint Schnapps? No clue, but Uncle Marty used to sneak it into hot chocolate which he then took to football games when I was in high school. We loved getting a sip of his "special" hot chocolate but now it sounds disgusting. Hey, remember I grew up a million years ago when you could drink legally at 18, so he wasn't even breaking the law, but he wasn't supposed to have it at school functions, LOL. Anyway, Kahlua cake: KAHLUA BUNDT CAKE 1 pkg. sour cream devils food cake mix 3/4 c. oil 1 (16 oz.) tub sour cream 1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips 4 eggs 1/3 c. kahlua 1 sm. pkg. vanilla instant pudding Mix together above ingredients. Pour into greased Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Also, a couple of tablespoons full of something like Amaretto or the chocolate cherry stuff is good in frosting instead of vanilla. Amaretto and cinnamon might be nice, or Frangelico and cinnamon in a buttercream frosting on spice cake. Annie (who still hasn't used the tiny little single serving vodka bottle she bought for pie crust!)

I love hot buttered rum. This is a basic recipe from Emeril: Ingredients * 1 stick unsalted butter, softened * 2 cups light brown sugar * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon * 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg * Pinch ground cloves * Pinch salt * Bottle dark rum * Boiling water Directions In a bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Refrigerate until almost firm. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture into 12 small mugs. Pour about 3 ounces of rum into each mug (filling about halfway). Top with boiling water (to fill the remaining half), stir well, and serve immediately. Mulled wine is also a good warming drink. This recipe looks right from About.com. I'd use whole allspice rather than ginger. When winter weather swirls in, nothing could be cozier than a toasty mug of mulled wine. Mulled wine, the vineâÂÂs version of a classic hot toddy, is a traditional holiday treat in many Old World countries. Mulled wines have been warming people for centuries, they are wines that have been sweetened, spiced and slightly heated - offering a delightful alternative to traditional coffees, ciders and toddyâÂÂs at holiday gatherings or just on a cold winter's night. Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: * One bottle (750 mL) of red wine (suggestions: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot) * One peeled and sliced orange (keep peel to add zest to taste into cooking pot) * 1/4 cup of brandy * 8-10 cloves * 2/3 cup honey or sugar * 3 cinnamon sticks * 1 tsp fresh or 2 tsp ground ginger (allspice can be substituted) * Serves 4-6 Preparation: To make the perfect cup of mulled wine, combine all ingredients in either a large pot or a slow cooker. Gently warm the ingredients on low to medium heat (avoid boiling), for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure that the honey or sugar has completely dissolved. When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have been well blended it is ready to serve. Ladle the mulled wine into mugs (leave seasonings behind) and enjoy! This link looks like it has lots of ideas. Off to read... Here is a link that might be useful: Festive drinks.

My favorite, for what it is worth Caramel Apple Cocktail 6 servings 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar 1 lemon wedge 1 1/2 cups apple cider 6 tablespoons butterscotch schnapps 1 (750 ml) bottle sparkling wine, chilled 6 maraschino cherries Spread cinnamon sugar onto a small plate or saucer. Run the lemon wedge along the rim of 6 champagne glasses, then dip the rims into the cinnamon sugar. Combine apple cider and schnapps in a measuring cup. Divide evenly among prepared glasses. Divide sparkling wine among glassses. Garnish with cherry.