Blog Posts by YumSugar

Are you hooked on Mad Men, the Emmy-winning AMC series about drinking advertising in the early 1960s? If so, then you know that the show can easily put you in the mood for a cocktail, with its three-martini lunches and meetings over bloody Marys. It's a great showcase for classic libations, so before the next episode airs on Sunday, mix up one of these eight great drinks featured on the show.
Photo Courtesy AMC

• Martini - Roger Sterling is often seen knocking back martinis. The classic dry version uses vodka or gin, dry vermouth, and olives.
• Old Fashioned - Don Draper is a brown-liquor man who is known to order old fashioned cocktails, made with whiskey, bitters, and a touch of sugar.
• Tom Collins - This sweet and sour gin cocktail is perfect for Summer parties - so perfect that Don teaches his 6-year-old how to make them for guests.
• Brandy Alexander - A milky mix of brandy, cream, and creme de cacao, the brandy Alexander helps Peggy through an

Recently, PartySugar tried to dispel the belief that Oktoberfest begins in October - it actually started last weekend! But if you haven't gotten in on the festivities just yet, don't worry; there's still time to celebrate, as the Autumn festival doesn't end until Oct. 4. Whether you're throwing the ultimate Oktoberfest party or simply looking for some hearty fare to go with your Märzen, look no further than these Bavarian favorites.

• Soft Pretzels - Bezeln, or pretzels, are a the ultimate comfort food snack. Make your own and serve them with different types of hot, sweet, and grainy mustards.
• Braised Red Cabage with Bacon - Rotkraut, a red cabbage dish, is classic festival fare at Munich's Oktoberfest.
• Chicken with Apples - Oktoberfest food can be hearty without being heavy. A chicken and apple sauté dispels the cliché that German cuisine is only beer, brats, and bacon.
• Ginger Chocolate Cookies - Your celebration will end on the sweetest note of all

I feel you. I don't want Summer to end, either. But, alas, it's over, so it's high time we face our fears and embrace Fall! What's not to love about Autumn? Comforting soups, braised meats, fruit-heavy pies - it's a wildly delicious time of year. To ensure that we embrace Fall, I've rounded up my favorite seasonal recipes.

• Baked Potato Soup - Bacon? Check. Potatoes? Of course. Cheese? Duh. This baked potato soup combines extremely comforting ingredients and turns them into a filling and scrumptious soup.
• Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Walnut Salad -
  Just because Summer is over doesn't mean you have to stop eating healthy and delicious salads. This butternut squash, pomegranate, and walnut salad is hearty enough to be a vegetarian meal.
• Honey-Glazed Cornish Hens - Rosh Hashanah may have ended last night, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a dish inspired by the new year. These honey-glazed Cornish hens are succulent and finger-licking good.

Everything tastes better with bacon, and dates are no exception! I recently went to an end-of-Summer barbecue and couldn't stop eating these crispy bacon-wrapped dates. Of course, I had to ask the hostess for the simple recipe to share with you. This appetizer is super easy to make and can be prepared before the party, so your guests will be munching on the salty, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying bite-sized, bacon-wrapped dates the second they arrive at your home. Straight from the oven these apps are molten hot - be sure to allow time for them to cool. If you want to serve this addicting appetizer at your next party, keep reading.

More Appetizer Recipes

Bacon Wrapped Dates
Original Recipe by Chelsea Hall

Ingredients

1 16-ounce package of bacon (regular thickness-not thick cut), cut into thirds
1 8-ounce package of pitted dates

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Position oven rack in the center of the oven. Cover a cookie sheet with tin foil.
2. Wrap a piece of bacon

With classes starting up again, school lunch is back on the table, but it's time to pack smarter. Go for choices that are more enticing to the palate, recession-friendly, and time-efficient by preparing evening meals that prove to be equally solid for lunch the next day. Here, a few ideas to liven up your - or your kids' - dinner and lunch.

Related Content:

Simple Tip: Make Leftovers Pizza

Fast & Easy Dinner: Shrimp Boil

Burning Question: What Keeps Food Fresher Foil or Plastic?

Summer is coming to an end! I don't want it to, but there's no way to fight it, so instead, I celebrated by creating a frozen treat inspired by the great camping tradition of s'mores. Only a few days ago, PartySugar made homemade smores, and I decided to try my hand at s'mores popsicles. These easy popsicles only require five ingredients: vanilla ice cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips, graham crackers, and vegetable oil.To mimic the shape of a marshmallow, I made the pops in small juice glasses, although any pop mold or dixie cup would work. While these popsicles are not gooey and warm like the original s'more, they have the same great flavor. The first bite of roasted marshmallow ice cream, crisp chocolate, and crunchy graham crackers will cool down anyone who is basking in the last fiery days of Summer. These popsicles are irresistible to kids and adults, so if you want chilly s'mores, keep reading.

S'more Popsicles
Original Recipe
S'more Popsicles
Ingredients

10 jumbo marshmallows
1 1/2

If you woke up thinking it was merely a typical Tuesday, you were mistaken: today is Cupcake Day! While it's true that the cupcake market has probably reached its saturation point, most of you still admitted you aren't over the cupcake craze. Yearning for something other than run-of-the-mill vanilla and chocolate? Click through below for seven unique alternatives.

Related Content:

Have You Ever Made Your Own Birthday Cake?

Homemade Cupcake Tower is Pretty Delicious

World's Largest Cupcake is a Sweet Success

In Italy, a panino (or panini, in the plural) can refer to a type of roll or a griddled sandwich, but here in America, a panini is always a pressed sandwich that is served warm. Why do I have panini on the brain? Because August is National Panini Month! Since I'm a huge fan of the combination of toasty bread and melted cheese, I've rounded up my favorite panini recipes. You don't necessarily need a special kitchen gadget to make them; you can simply cook a panini on a skillet or, if it's hot in your neck of the woods, outdoors on the grill.

Related Content:

7 Unconventional Cupcake Recipes

Say Cheese! The Ultimate Grilled Cheese

More Sandwiches