PORTLAND, Maine — There's no smoke and mirrors about it — Americans are eating a lot more smoked seafood than they used to.

It all began when a pair of friends shared drinks together in Greece.

Gardening can be an intoxicating hobby, especially if the botany is booze-related.

Coffee, Irish whiskey and cream.

SAN FRANCISCO — What happens when you ask a group of food world luminaries to come up with their picks for Best Food Scene in a movie?

The first rule of drinking on a diet is: Don't. Surely you've heard that Americans get way too many calories — and nutritionally empty calories at that — from alcohol.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will open the 26th season of its free Sunday A’Fair outdoor concert series on Jan. 13 with performances by Marty & The Party Band and Tesoro from noon to 4 p.m.

Something new is bubbling up in the world of cocktails as canny mixologists skip the soda and turn to sparkling wine as their new go-to mixer.

It's easy to have romantic visions of the holidays - cozy fires, perfectly wrapped gifts, your house decorated like a magazine spread, all your friends gathered to celebrate, marveling at your culinary prowess.

The holiday season is upon us. Over the next few weeks, schedules will be filled with shopping, holiday parties, relatives, plenty of food and spirits and obligations. Socializing during the holidays can be stressful and challenging for some people, especially if your friends and family are not as health-conscious as you. The abundance of holiday treats and homemade goodies can be hard to resist. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to avoid holiday weight gain.

It’s no secret that liquor is a simple solution to holiday gift-giving. You don’t see a lot of people lining up Dec. 26 to return bottles of 12-year-old Scotch. And what better way to embrace the spirit of giving than by giving a spirit?

Are you constantly struggling to reach or maintain healthy weight? Do you experience cravings for specific foods? What about unexplained joint pain, skin problems or headaches? If so, the cause is highly probably related to the food(s) you’re eating.

Owners of a new tequila bar and restaurant at Dana Park in east Mesa say the concept is all about doing tequila right.

SunDust Gallery, the Mesa artspace that’s garnered Best Of East Valley Awards two years in a row for its bargain basement art outlet and Bottles & Paint cocktail painting parties, is taking one of its most popular offerings on the road.

There is a right way to make sangria. It usually involves a dozen or more ingredients and plenty of time.

Remember wine coolers? Turns out they’re not actually all that cool these days.

There is a right way to make sangria. It usually involves a dozen or more ingredients and plenty of time.

Remember wine coolers? Turns out they're not actually all that cool these days.

With nods to nostalgia, exotic motifs and tailored contemporary looks, the fall season in decor has lots to inspire home decorators.