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The following guest post was written for That's the Spirit by our friend Ava from barHappy.com. Thanks Ava!

Think about it: an artfully prepared and slightly dangerous concoction; a tall, slinky glass; an elegantly playful garnish; the glowing bloom of frosty condensation. There’s nothing sexier than a cocktail. When picturing a cocktail night, we picture beautiful people, a gorgeous bar and a lot of flirtation. It’s not so sexy, though, when you realize that drinking cocktails will actually add inches to your waistline and layers to your chin. Here’s the news flash: cocktails can make you fat. Sorry for the buzz kill.

Thankfully, the classic Martini is a relatively safe choice when you're watching your calorie intake.

Don’t worry, there’s hope. Like all too many wonderful, decadent things (chocolate, cheese, French fries, ice cream) cocktails are something that should definitely be thoroughly enjoyed — just not with total abandon. Now that you know the bad news, the good news is that you can still have your cocktails and drink them, too — as long as you stay informed about the choices you make.

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Short and sweet, dear reader, from the philosopher Homer Simpson.

I recently received my latest issue of Mutineer Magazine, which featured a cover story discussing Prohibition: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, the upcoming documentary that will air in October.

If you're into the history of booze in America or just a fan of Ken Burns' film work, you're probably as excited as I am. I found the following trailer on YouTube, just to wet your whistle.

Oh, don't forget. Prohibition is a 3-part documentary, airing on October 2, 3 and 4 on PBS.

Are you looking forward to the Prohibition documentary?

Whether entertaining family, friends or that special lady in your life, conducting yourself as a gentleman is what will take your evening to the next level. To help ensure you are equipped with the best advice to turn a good night into an inspirational one, chef Corbin Tomaszeski, host of Dinner Party Wars, developed the following gentleman entertaining tips, which we've been allowed to post here, on That's the Spirit.

A gentleman should be quick with a smile methinks.

A Gentleman's Guide to Entertaining

1. A gentleman always offers his guests a welcome cocktail.

2. A gentleman says “please” and “thank you,” readily and often, regardless of whom the gentleman is speaking to.

3. A gentleman is always ready to offer a strong handshake.

4. A gentleman never approaches a woman first at the bar or tavern.

5. A gentleman knows the most important part of a party is to be social and goes to every effort to make his guests feel comfortable.

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The final long weekend of the summer is here. It's a bittersweet thought. Still, with 3 weeks of summer left, there's still plenty of time to soak up some sun, spend time with family and friends and enjoy a few good tequila cocktails, courtesy of our friends at Milagro Tequila. Have a wonderful Labour Day weekend!

Freshest Margarita

Freshest Margarita

Ingredients:
2 oz Milagro Silver Tequila
1 oz lime juice
3/4 oz agave nectar

Preparation:
Shake in a shaker with cracked ice and serve over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a half rim of salt and a lime wheel.

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