Just this very moment, I've arrived home with a huge box full of books, Dessert Cocktails: Classic and Contemporary After-Dinner Drinks, fresh from my publisher. You can imagine how excited I am! And my super-talented friend, Elisabeth Howe, is desiging a virtual "me" for my upcoming website. Here's a sneak preview:

I've gotten some great email from newsletter subscribers and visitors to the site, and I want to share some of those notes with you. One person took issue with the James Bond Martini, saying it should be called the Vesper, and that the Bond martini was "some other thing". This recipe is one the previous editor had published here on BellaOnline, and is listed in many books as the James Bond Martini and credits it (as I do) as coming from the movie Casino Royale. A single cocktail can be known by many names, and the Vesper *is* made with the same ingredients, so what do you think: Are the books wrong? Should this martini only be known as the Vesper? Sound off in the Forum.

Another reader told me how glad she was to find Mocktails (or Faux-tinis, as I love calling them) recipes on the site. I agree! Some people might not feel a non-alcoholic drink could be classified as a cocktail, but in my opinion it's more about style and what's in the conversation than it is about getting wasted. What say you?

As always, feel free to email me with your suggestions, requests, and comments and I'll do my best to keep the site up to date with what you are looking for. I'm not going to do anyone's homework for them, but I love hearing about new recipes and hip restaurants. Thanks to everyone who has sent me a note, and I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Cheers!

~ Michelle Dompierre Southern

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