With the temperature hanging in the 90s, this Bostonist forgets about hunting down cheap meals and only wants something nice and cool to drink. Be it iced tea, iced coffee, or ice cream, these drinks are the best way to keep cool. Bubble tea at Boston Tea Stop – There are so many flavor combinations to be had at the Boston Tea Stop, you could cool down with a new drink every day this......

Mike of The Food Monkey has joined Bostonist to share his thoughts about cooking, food history, restaurant trends, and any other Epicurean issues. He promises to discuss what tastes good, but not always what is in good taste. For more on consuming the opponents and other food news, go to The Food Monkey website. To contact Mike, go to the Food Monkey's contact page. A few months ago I visited Agave during one of my......

Six bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1870. You can't afford them. On March 14, Skinner, in conjunction with Lower Falls Wine Co., presents an auction of fine wines in Boston. This is only the second fine wine auction in Boston. As an effort to earn a piece of the nearly $200 million annual wine auction market, Skinner and Lower Falls Wine Co. presented the first one back in 2007. The auction offers something for everyone.......

The days are getting longer. The nights are getting shorter. Layers of clothing are slowly coming off and you're getting thirsty. Luckily local wine whiz Chris Campbell (left) has a few wine suggestions to slake your thirst. First, German Riesling. Campbell says when enjoyed in the spring and summer, this varietal becomes not only enjoyable, but thought provoking. "Try a dry, light, Kabinett style," he said. "Its low alcohol and high acidity has my attention,"......

Like your beer with chocolate? We like beer IN our chocolate. With its natural chocolate notes, Guinness stout is the perfect fit for these chocolate cupcakes, lending them a light texture and rich flavor. And here's the icing on the cake: With their thick dollops of cream-cheese frosting, the cupcakes look like little frothy pints.Important: Make sure to follow the recipe in the order it's presented.Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes1 12 oz bottle Guinness stout1 1/2 sticks......

Gary Vaynerchuk has a message for Bay Staters: Rise up against your oppressors. He says it’s a “sad state of affairs” that the place that hosted the Boston Tea Party allows itself to fall victim to “archaic wine shipping laws.” Vaynerchuk, the 30-something host of the wildly popular Wine Library TV podcast – “the Internet’s most passionate wine program” – says that “a few special interest groups have shut things down” and not allowed wine......

Gordon's Fine Wine and Culinary Center is slated to host "Sip, Shop, and Support" at their Waltham store Feb. 12 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Gordon's' Marketing and Events Director Lindsay S. Cohen created the monthly charitable event with her friends Gail Schneider and Catherine Howe during her first few days on the job. "The ultimate ladies night out" features a free wine tasting as well......

Ed. Note: No wonder the Harvard Lampoon is honoring her. She brings her own beverages. Socialite Paris Hilton has posed naked in a new advertising campaign to launch her luxury sparkling wine in a can brand. The hotel heiress can be seen nude, covered in gold paint and crawling across a desert for the advertising campaign for her drink Rich Prosecco. The drink is described as: “The perfect ’starter drink’ for your night or a......

One of your favorite childhood treats is all grown up now. The classic Root Beer Float has taken a decidedly adult turn with the Beer Float. For best results, pair your favorite Stout or Porter with some creamy vanilla ice cream and you've got a delicious dessert that's you need to be at least 21 to enjoy! For wicked local flavor, try combining your favorite locally made brew like this Berkshire Brewing Company Drayman’s Porter......

Meet more of Bostonist's new writers! Dale Cruse, of Drinks Are On Me, is launching a weekly drinks column for Bostonist that will appear on Wednesdays. Bostonist loves his site, which tracks food and wine trends, and is thrilled that he's joining the team. The Boston Wine Expo is slated for February 8-10 at the Seaport World Trade Center. Jonathon Alsop, founder of the Boston Wine School, gives us his rules to make sure it’s......

Sometimes even those of us who live in the rock clubs can forget how to behave ourselves. Maybe it’s some strange alchemy of alcohol and entitlement. Maybe it’s a vague attachment to the spirit of “punk rock.“ Or maybe it’s just plain rudeness. Just in case, here’s a brief refresher course on the things to keep in mind from people who know best - the ones who work there. 1) Keep Your Hands to Yourself......