Whether it is the shot glass with a sassy saying or the electric shaker, nothing is off limits when it comes to novelty barware. Some of it is simply ridiculous and some are only of interest to the right person with a certain fondness of a character, theme, style or attitude. Then there are the things that are just plain cool; the one that, even though they won't replace your everyday tools, you just have to have them. Here are five that I've recently learned about that can be considered the novel of all novelty barware.

The Cool:

• R2D2 Ice Bucket with Han Solo Ice Molds- As a fan of Star Wars, this is pretty cool. I want it even though I can't find any details about it. Just think of the conversations surrounding a talking R2D2 that holds all your ice (what or when it speaks I don't know) and Han Solo frozen in carbonate floating in your glass! But how big of a glass do you need to fit that odd shape? Maybe some day we'll know.
• Binary Beer and Wine Glasses:- Unite your drinking geek with your computer geek (okay just a little "byte"). These glasses have a simple ring of binary code etched in them which translates to "beer glass" and "wine glass." Is there a cocktail glass? I'd like to channel my inner Cocktail-Computer Geek with a nice Martini also.

  The Quirky:

• Reveo Gourmet Cocktail Tumbler- I really don't get it and it seems like one more electrical appliance that is neat at first but ends up in the depths of the cupboard. It hasn't been released yet and the details are fuzzy but supposedly this cocktail tumbler will quickly infuse liquor with fruit and other flavors. So if we wanted a quickly flavored drink wouldn't we just shake one up?
• Tequila 45- What a great marketing plan, using a bottle shaped like a gun to hold your limited edition tequila. To create a bottle of an extraordinary shape attracts attention and sales, just look at Bong Vodka, it works. However, in both cases you should expect some misconceptions if you plan on carrying these around or putting them on display. A year or so ago a friend had to spend a few extra minutes in customs on his way back from Mexico while packing this 45, but he didn't seem to care because the bottle was worth it (and the tequila wasn't bad either).
• Pick Your Nose Cups- This is just weird and I really have to wonder who came up with the idea and what they were thinking at the time. But they are cheap and fun, even if they are somehow creepy. These are a set of 24 disposable paper cups, each bearing the photograph of a different human nose. Your best friend Mary could pick up a mustache while she's drinking or Jim could suddenly have full, luscious lips.

As much as you may love it or hate it...The Cosmopolitan is back! Why you ask? Sex and the City is back. The new movie is released nationwide at the end of May but the fever has already hit and with that there is a lot more talk of the Cosmopolitan. There's a Sex and the City tour in New York which takes guests to movie locations, including the bars where the drink of choice is almost obvious. In the movie (which has already premiered) the girls ask themselves why they stopped drinking it (according to Linda Barnard of the Toronto Star) and there has been a few more pink drinks passed across the bars. Bartenders and party hosts should be prepared to make a lot of these over the summer; it will be the drink on many minds, even if it is subliminal.

Where has the Cosmo been? It's been around and it is still many people's tipple of choice but I think the majority got bored with it; maybe it was kind of a gateway "Martini". The attention the drink once received has diminished because there are a lot of Cosmopolitan-like cocktails that are fun to explore and an increasing interest in the classic and non-vodka cocktails. The Cosmo itself has inspired many of these drinks, including the Rosy Rum Cosmo, Campari Cosmo, Crantini and Maya Magic. So stock up on the vodka, cranberry, Cointreau and limes because this season may be a very pink.

Why did you build the bar in your basement the way you did? I think we've all dreamed about having our own bar, right there at home and designed just the way you want it. With a refrigerator, a well and a backbar and a convenient place for every tool you needed. One where you could mix any drink you wanted with ease. Creating a bar in your house can be an extensive project and when it is complete it's something to be proud of. But it is often one that not a lot of people get to see, outside of your close friends and family. It's a shame because a lot of people who put time, effort and creativity into creating their own drinking oasis and many rival the design, layout and efficiency of commercial bars and lounges.

So, let's show them off...
What I'd like to do is create a gallery of home bars, an opportunity to show off your pride and joy and inspire those who are dreaming of their next home improvement project. Wet bars, dry bars, kitchen bars, closet bars, basement bars, apartment bars - all are up for grabs. Email me pictures, descriptions, features and reasons for doing what you did and I'll compile them into a gallery to share.

May 13th (Tuesday) is the one day a year we have to celebrate our favorite drink: the Cocktail! Yes, there is a World Cocktail Day, which is meant to celebrate the rich culture and history surrounding the bartenders, mixologists and the drinks they've created in over 200 years of mixing drinks.

Surrounding the day is World Cocktail Week and events are everywhere. Beginning Tuesday the Second Annual San Francisco Cocktail Week is one of the biggest celebrations. Tony Abou-Ganim is returning to his "home" bar for the opening gala, during which Cable Cars are sure to be flowing, Wednesday's "Farmers Market Cocktails" event is going with the trend of fresh ingredients and Friday Elixir is hosting "Save the Sazerac."

What a great excuse for a week-long party, for creating your new signature cocktail or for rediscovering and celebrating some of the classic cocktails that have deep roots in the cocktail culture. Cheers!

A lot of people are thinking about Mother's Day and what to do for the woman who has given so much. How about treating her to a new Martini to go with that special brunch or dinner? This is the perfect day for pulling out all the "girly" drinks - pink, fruity and glamorous, of course. Okay, not all of my Mother's Day Martinis are pink. I've added the Coriandrum, Tea Tini and In & Out Lemontini to the list because it's also spring and those cocktails are perfect for this time of year, not matter what the occasion.

This is a fun sidebar to the holiday... X-Rated Fusion Liqueur (a "chic" spirit itself) did a poll on Sodahead.com for "The Hottest Cougar" from a list of film and television moms with a taste for (often younger) men. Once the voting was over a cocktail was created for each of the finalists (with X-Rated of course). The character most people thought of as the sexiest man-hungry mom is Mrs. Robinson from the 1969 classic The Graduate. With a line like, "Mrs. Robinson, you are trying to seduce me," it's not surprising. The cocktail for the seductress is Sweet Ben's Pink Lemonade, simple but very nice. Also not surprising, second place went to Gabrielle Solis of Desperate Housewives played by none other than Eva Longoria and a drink aptly named Gabrielle's X-Rated Kiss.

"Cougar" or not, any of these cocktails are great for any Martini-loving Mom.

Everything that comes out of the distillery (and winery) of Domaine Charbay is impressive and they just keep going. I have yet to be let down by any Charbay drink and it just amazes me that they continue to expand their line with innovative, finely crafted products that each take so much time and attention to produce.

So what has the Karakasevic family been up to? How about Release II, the second release of their whiskey distilled from pilsner beer. Only five barrels were bottled so that one is sure to go fast again. I haven't tasted that one but have heard rave reviews about it's first release. However, I am extremely impressed by the recently released Green Tea and Pomegranate Aperitifs. They are ready to drink - just shake or pour over ice - and simply delicious. Need an easy drink to calm a dinner party crowd before the meal? These are perfect. I tried it out and the majority of my guests preferred the pomegranate, but once again the green tea is for me.

Also, I finally finished reviewing the line of flavored vodkas. The Blood Orange was the last on the list and just as pure and natural as the others. If you're thinking about serving Mom a great cocktail on Sunday, try it in a Cosmopolitan.

Congratulations to Daniel Eun of PDT for his recent win of the Rhum Clément’s 3rd Annual Clement New York Cocktail Challenge. The winning drink is a creamy rum flip interestingly named Bitches Brew. The mix is filled with rum, and some of the best rums including Clement's Premiere Canne, Pampero Anniversario and St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram (rum-based liqueur). Add lime, demerara syrup and egg and you have a fantastic cocktail worthy of the prize.

Another PDT bartender, Don Lee, took second with with Sargasso. This one is a mix of Clement VSOP, Lustau East India Sherry and Aperol. To round off the top three, Lydia Teissmueller of Elettaria created The Sweetie Pie, an autumn-inspired cocktail of Clement VSOP, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram and apple juice.

With this kind of showing I think my next trip to NYC warrants a trip to the East Village lounge.

You're already adding salsa to you tacos, burritos and fajitas, a few (okay, maybe more than a few) chili peppers here and there, so why not spice up your cocktails? For this Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) pair the sweetness of Mexico's "spirit" tequila with some of that spice - it makes a fine match and some interesting libations.

To heat up cocktail there are a few options. Sometimes a whole pepper is the garnish (Habanero Martini) or dried pepper rims the glass (Tamarind Margarita) and then there are the hot sauce choices of a Bloody Maria. Once in a while the spice comes from a combination of drink and garnish, like this great Red Pepper Sangrita Margarita (pictured), which uses a whole red pepper along with a shaken puree. Or you could get it all over with via a simple Prairie Fire shooter and forget about savoring the heat.

There is a point where a cocktail can be too spicy, literally burnt, so it's best to follow recommendations and experiment with caution. Cocktails are more delicate than a seven alarm burrito and, frankly, who wants to drink something that's too hot? Also, remember to wash your hands anytime you come in contact with the hot peppers.

It is that wonderful time of year again, the weekend of thoroughbreds, elaborate hats, silver cups and a two minute race. Yes, Saturday is the running of the Kentucky Derby 134 and with all the hype behind its signature drink, it's almost appropriate to deem the day "Mint Julep Day." Ah, that lovely bourbon drink with the freshness of spring mint and enough crushed ice for creating the perfect slow sipper. What more could you ask for an a sunny Kentucky afternoon?

There are many recipes for the "perfect" Mint Julep. My inbox fills up with them every year around this time, but I don't mind because it's interesting to see and taste the differences. Some use a mint-infused simple syrup, some straight sugar; 4 sprigs of mint or 4 leaves; crushed ice or cubed ice; 2 oz of bourbon or 4. Oh yeah, then there's the brand of bourbon! The variations are nearly endless despite the drink's simple construction, but the goal is to find your perfect Mint Julep.

And so, to prepare for "Mint Julep Day" here is some Mint Julep reading and watching for you...

• Mint Julep Recipe
  - my favorite recipe, usually with Maker's Mark, Booker's or Woodford Reserve
• Video: Mint Julep Recipe
  - Brice from the Bubble Lounge for About.com
• Video: The Mint Julep
  - Robert Hess, SmallScreenNetwork.com
• A Brief History of the Mint Julep
  - Kevin Garbee, Whiskey Guide for About.com
• Planning a Kentucky Derby Party
  - Donna Pilato, Entertaining Guide for About.com
• Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Cake
  - Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, Homecooking Guide for About.com

After years of pouring drinks bartenders can eyeball an exact shot of liquor and the long pour is a spectacular bar sight, but what about the careful measuring of cocktail ingredients, is that so important? There are benefits to using a jigger (or other measuring device) for mixing drinks. Many bars ask their tenders to use them to control the amount of liquor being poured (and control profits) and to ensure drinks are consistent inside the establishment. If you're mixing up drinks for a private occasion and you're partaking, using a jigger is smart. Have you ever noticed your free pour shots getting larger as the night goes on? Well, it's likely they do because your perception has been impaired and your drinks may be getting tougher than you bargained for. Then, there's the occasion of the finely balanced cocktail. Not talking about mixed drinks here, but those French Martinis, Monkey Glands and Tuxedos, which are sensitive to over and under pours of one ingredient or another.

Some bartenders swear by the jigger, some feel restricted by the control. Last week a story by Jeff Burkhart for the Marin Independent Journal titled Barfly: Jiggers are bane of bartender's routine tells one story about the "Great Jigger Debate."

Poll: Do you use a jigger to measure out ingredients?

• Everytime - it's the only way to get the perfect drink.
• Occasionally - for certain drinks only.
• Only when learning a new drink.
• Only when the manager's looking.
• Never, it's an unnecessary tool.
• What's a jigger?

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