10 Bubbly Beverages to Help You Deal With the Prosecco Shortage

Clarissa Wei
May 31, 2015

There’s no easy way to say this, but if you were planning on popping bottles of Prosecco and mixing sweet mimosas with the sparkling wine all summer, you might have to make a new plan. From the looks of it, there’s set to be a global shortage of Prosecco because the grape harvest has been down by as much as 50 percent. Prices are also set to hike up to double, no doubt sending Bellini lovers in a tizzy.

1. Freixenet Cava Carta Nevada Semi Dry ($9): Like Prosecco, Cavas provide an economical alternative to the more expensive Champagne. This bargain bubbly by Freixenet has a residual sugar level of 3.7%, giving it a lovely balance between sweet and dry. There’s a creamy undertone to it and it pairs well with any cocktails that involve muddled fruits and light liqueurs.

2. Lemon Rosemary Cava Cocktail: If you do have a bottle of Cava on hand, enhance it with this citrusy cocktail recipe. It includes gin and fresh lemon juice, but it’s the rosemary garnish that brings out the complexity of flavors. (via Style Me Pretty)

3. White Sangria Sparkler: Take that Cava up above and mix it into this invigorating sangria sparkler, decorated with peaches, kiwis, raspberries and a cool spring of mint. If this isn’t colorful enough, then just top it off with a silly straw. (via Damn Delicious)

4. Martini & Rossi Asti ($26): Here’s another sweet sparkling wine for you. An Asti gets its bubbles from a single fermentation that takes place in stainless steel tanks. Under Italian wine laws, all Asti D.O.C.G wines are 100% made from the Moscato Bianco grape with the grapes harvested to a yield no greater than 10 hectare. This is a semisweet wine with fragrant hints of peaches and apricots.

5. Sparkling Apple Cocktail: One of the big ways that Prosecco differs from Champagne is that Prosecco has somewhat of a green apple undertone. You can hack that by just mixing Champs with green apple chunks and apple juice. Spike it with a bit of Cognac for that extra kick. (via Epicurious)

6. Mionetto Lambrusco ($10): A Lambrusco is a red sparkling wine derived from the grape that shares its name. While it’s not white like Prosecco, its intense ruby hue and pink froth is worth playing with, and there’s a fun natural fruitiness that accompanies the bubbly.

7. Gin Lambrusco Cocktail: Throw the Lambrusco in a room with Gin and you’ll get this marvelous multi-hue concoction. We love the colors on this! Flavor with a bit of dried orange peel and lavender. Breathe. Drink. (via BeautifulBooze)

8. Fizz 56 Sparkling Red Brachetto: ($6) On the topic of red sparkling wines, consider the Brachetto. Made from the Nebbiolo grape, there’s a good balance of acidity and fizziness here with notes of raspberry, strawberry and cherry.

9. Moscato Margarita: Barefoot Wines sells mini Moscatos that can be tipped in a homemade Margarita glass for a festive drink. Just add mix, tequila and frozen fruit. Moscato adds a subtle but welcoming carbonated element. (via Barefoot Wines)

10. Peach Bellini : Yes, though Bellinis are traditionally associated with Prosecco, the reality is that you can conjure one up with any decent sparkling white wine. Just choose a sweeter one. In honor of stone fruit season (which starts in June!), make yourself a peach variation with champagne and a bit of Schnapps. (via Eat Drink Love)

How are you handling the Prosecco shortage? Share your fave sparkly beverage below!

Move Over, Pancakes! These 15 Maple Cocktails Require All The Syrup

Admit it: when the weather turns cooler, your diet basically becomes that of Buddy the Elf. That means candy, candy corns, candy canes, and syrup will be your main food groups. Instead of pouring maple syrup all over your spaghetti like he does, try mixing it into your favorite cocktails! Whether they’re bourbon-based or laced with rum, the sticky sweetener, maple syrup, is perfect for fall and winter libations. If you still need convincing, check out the maple cocktails below that are like having a maple tree tapped in your backyard all year long.

A Beautiful Mess

Maple Pumpkin Martini

This cocktail combines two of the most iconic fall flavors for a whole new taste that we love. Not only is it delicious, but it's also non-dairy, which makes for a great option if you or your guests need to opt for coconut or oat milk anyway. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Clean Cuisine

Brandy Lemon Drops

Citrusy and sweet, these brandy-filled maple cocktails are sure to get any holiday party going. (via Clean Cuisine)

Half Baked Harvest

Spiced Maple Bourbon Fizz

The bourbon, citrus flavors, and homemade (!) maple syrup in this sip are out-of-this-world delicious, but topping the drink off with champagne really takes it to the next level. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Cookie + Kate

Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

Give your typical whiskey sour a sweet and spicy twist with cinnamon and a splash of maple syrup. Truth be told, you may not be able to go back to regular simple syrup again. (via Cookie + Kate)

Lemon Blossoms

Cranberry Maple Bourbon Cocktail

This holly-jolly cranberry maple cocktail is perfect for all of your holiday get-togethers. Garnish this drink with sugared cranberries and an orange wedge to make it extra festive. (via Lemon Blossoms)

Crumb

Spiced Maple Manhattan

The maple syrup echoes the sweetness of the rye in this cocktail, and the slight warming spices are truly like autumn in a glass. (via Crumb)

How Sweet Eats

Maple Honeycrisp Margaritas

You shouldn’t have to give up your margarita nights when the seasons change. The next time you go apple picking, whip up these margs afterward to enjoy the fruits of your labor. (via How Sweet Eats)

Earthly Provisions

Blanton's Old Fashioned

With just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes, you can have this strong (and a bit sweet) maple cocktail ready to sip. Cozy weeknights just got a whole lot better! (via Earthly Provisions)

Cookie + Kate

Maple New York Sour

If you’ve never had a New York sour, now is the time. You don’t have to choose between a whiskey sour or a glass of wine, because this drink combines the two for a sweet and tangy nightcap. (via Cookie + Kate)

Cheese and Chocolate

Figgy Maple Bourbon Fizz

This maple cocktail gets its fizz from ginger beer, sweetness from syrup, and a nice kick from the bourbon. (via Cheese and Chocolate)

Gastronom

Cold Brew Bourbon Cocktail

There are times when you need a pick-me-up, but you also want a second to chill. Those moments call for a stout cold brew cocktail that’s spiked with bourbon and sweetened with a hint of maple syrup. (via Gastronom)

Food Fanatic

Maple 43 Cocktail

When a cocktail is garnished with a maple-soaked mini waffle, you happily accept and don’t ask questions. (via Food Fanatic)

Just a Little Bit of Bacon

Pear Bourbon Smash

Winter fruits like pears and apples are perfect to pair with maple syrup and bourbon. This bourbon smash has half of a pear in each glass and is full of whole fruit flavor. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)

Feasting At Home

A Long Winter’s Nap

You’ll feel like a snooze is on the horizon with this aromatic drink. Flavor it with everything from whole allspice pods to pine needles. (via Feasting At Home)

Mixop

Gingerbread Latte

This creamy and frothy latte can be made with alcohol for a yummy caffeinated treat. (via Mixop)

Follow us on Pinterest for more cocktail ideas and fall recipes!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

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Nina Dobrev & Shaun White Are Engaged! See The Emotional Proposal Pics.

There are some celebrity couples that feel like a match made in Heaven. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and more recently, Shaun White and Nina Dobrev. Not only are they both gorgeous, talented, and incredibly driven people, but they're also one of the funniest celeb couples to follow along with on social media.

Here's everything you need to know about their relationship!


A Timeline Of Nina Dobrev And Shaun White's Relationship

Image via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Dior Men

End Of 2019 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Are Introduced

Nina Dobrev and Shaun White officially met when they both spoke at a Tony Robbins workshop in Florida. Even though Shaun didn't know about anything about Nina at the time, he told People he realized she was a big deal when a bunch of people asked for pictures with her!

Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram

February 2020 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Spend Time In South Africa

In 2020, when Nina Dobrev was filming Redeeming Love, fans started noticing that her Instagram photos and Shaun White's were taken in the same locations, even though they were making separate posts. Turns out, Nina had gotten Shaun to come visit her!

Image via Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Fresh Vine Wine

April 18, 2020 — Nina Dobrev And Shaun White Make Their Relationship Instagram Official

In true 21st century dating fashion, Nina Dobrev and Shaun White took their relationship to the next level when they made it Instagram official. It's a pretty big step for any couple, but especially celebrities. If it's nerve-wracking telling your friends and acquaintances, imagine telling millions of fans! Instead of a regular photo, Nina posted a video that features a glimpse of Shaun's tattoo.

Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram

May 29, 2020 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Quarantine Together

Like so many of us, Nina Dobrev and Shaun White had to take haircuts into their own hands during quarantine. "Adding to resume: hairdresser ✂️," Nina captioned an Instagram post of her giving Shaun an at-home haircut.

Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram

September 3, 2020 — Shaun White Turns 34

To celebrate Shaun White's 34th birthday, Nina Dobrev made a hilarious Instagram tribute to honor the snowboarder. "To the most untalented, humorless, least athletic, least coordinated, least gifted and my least favorite person.... happy birthday @shaunwhite," she says in the caption. "Hang in there. one day you will accomplish something. #dontgiveup"

Nina Dobrev and Shaun White's age difference is two years — Shaun was born in 1986 and Nina was born in 1989!

Image via Shaun White/Instagram

Late 2020 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Celebrate The Holidays For The First Time As A Couple

The holidays looked different for Nina Dobrev and Shaun White at the end of 2020, but they didn't let that stop them from celebrating. "I’m so thankful to be surrounded by so much love!!" Shaun says in his Thanksgiving Instagram post. "Getting older and watching my family continue to grow has been incredible. Hope everyone out there had an amazing thanksgiving!" The couple also celebrated Christmas together, with plenty of Santa hats and gifts to go around!

Image via Shaun White/Instagram

January 9, 2021 — Nina Dobrev Turns 32

Nina Dobrev and Shaun White chose wacky '80s getup to celebrate the actress' 32nd birthday. "Too bad we never have any fun together," Shaun says in his birthday Instagram post. "Happy birthday baby!"

Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram

February 8, 2021 — Nina Dobrev And Shaun White Hang Out With Her Vampire Diaries Costar

Nina Dobrev and Shaun White took to the slopes alongside Paul Wesley (who starred opposite Nina in The Vampire Diaries) and his wife Ines de Ramon. "Sometimes you gotta double up to double down," Nina captioned her post of the quartet at Wyoming's Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Image via Shaun White/Instagram

February 14, 2021 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Share Their First Valentine's Day

Both Nina Dobrev and Shaun White made tributes to each other on the 'gram in honor of their first V-Day as a couple. "My favorite snow cone flavor is White," Nina says in her Instagram post. "Happy we got “stuck together” last year and stuck it out ;) happy valentine’s day to my quarantini in crime..."

"Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️," Shaun says in his caption. "I never knew I was so lickable till we met 😂... Thank you for keeping a smile on my face and being the beautiful person you are!"

Image via Shaun White/Instagram

October 31, 2021 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Wear An Iconic Couple's Halloween Costume

Nina Dobrev and Shaun White knocked Halloween out of the park with a hilarious, gender-swapped couple's costume inspired by The Queen's Gambit. Nina dressed as Thomas Brodie Sangster's Benny and Shaun went with Anya Taylor Joy's Beth. "Your move @anyataylorjoy ♟👑," Shaun says on Instagram.

Image via Clive Rose/Getty Images

February 2022 — Shaun White Competes In The Bejing Winter Olympics

In October of 2021, ahead of his involvement in the Beijing Olympics, Shaun White told People just how supportive Nina Dobrev had been for him. "Nina's incredible," he says in the interview. "What an influence on my life. Not only does she run her own show, her own world, companies she's involved in, things she's producing, all this stuff going on. She holds me to this same high standard which is so wonderful to have in a partner."

“We’ll be anxiously watching [Shaun compete] from home and cheering him on,” Nina Dobrev tells Us Weekly in early 2022. “I’m very, very excited for him. I can’t wait.”

Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram

March 5, 2022 — Nina Dobrev Throws Shaun White An On-Brand Retirement Party

Shaun White might have cut off his iconic red hair, but that didn't stop Nina Dobrev from using it as inspo for his retirement party! The get together was complete with red wigs, family reunions, and lots of selfies. "Celebrating the 🐐 and bringing back the 👩🦰 one last time…#RetirementPartyAt35," Nina captioned her Instagram post. Then they followed the party up with a tropical getaway!

Image via Lia Toby/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

May 19, 2022 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Make Their Red Carpet Debut

Nina Dobrev and Shaun White attended the London premiere of Top Gun: Maverick in the summer of 2022. It marked their first red carpet appearance since becoming a couple *and* gave them the chance to support their friend Miles Teller!

Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram

June 2022 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Take A Vacation

Nina and Shaun went on another vacation in the summer of 2022, complete with lots of beach time and plenty of beverages. Some of Nina's Instagram captions include "When it’s so blue outside it’s impossible to feel blue on the inside" and "Coconut or cocktail? There are two types of people in the world" and the photos are so cute I could cry.

Image via Shaun White/Instagram

October 1, 2022 — Shaun White Makes An SNL Appearance

During Miles Teller's run as SNL host, Shaun White joined his friend onstage. "Live from New York it’s Saturday Night!
Congrats to my buddy #MilesTeller on hosting @nbcsnl," Shaun wrote on Instagram. "Not surprised that you killed it. But I was very surprised when I arrived to support you…and they pulled me on stage to be part of a sketch 😂 Stoked to be a part of your big moment!!

"I loved being an emotional support animal 🐆 @nbcsnl," Nina captioned her post.

Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram

October 31, 2022 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Dress Up As Stranger Things 4 Characters For Halloween

In another iconic Halloween couple's costume, Nina and Shaun dressed up as Max and Vecna from the acclaimed fourth episode of Stranger Things 4 — with Nina as Vecna and Shaun as Max, of course. "Stranger things have happened," Nina said in her post, while Shaun admitted in his post, "not gonna lie I’ve miss the long hair."

Image via Shaun White/Instagram

January 9, 2020 — Nina Dobrev Turns 34

"What planet are you from and will you take me with you?!" Shaun asks in his birthday photo featuring Nina Dobrev in a pink wig. "Thanks for making life incredible! Happy birthday my love."

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

June 26, 2023 — Shaun White Joins Nina Dobrev At The Out-Laws Premiere

Nina Dobrev and Shaun White stunned on the red carpet for Nina's movie The Out-Laws.

Image via Shaun White/Instagram

December 31, 2023 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Spend New Year's Eve In St. Barth's

If you ask me, Nina Dobrev and Shaun White have one of the most iconic friend groups ever. Miles and Keleigh Teller, as well as Chace Crawford, joined the couple in St. Barth's for New Year's. Can I come next time?!

Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram

January 9, 2024 — Shaun White Surprises Nina Dobrev With A Trip To Disneyland

I love a good surprise, especially when the surprise goes off without a hitch. For Nina's 35th birthday, Shaun (as well as a bunch of their friends like Julianne Hough) surprised Nina with a Disney trip and judging by Nina's reaction, it was just about the best present she could have asked for. The day consisted of a custom Mickey jacket, taking a party bus, roller coasters, and more!

"Happiest surprise on the happiest day at the happiest place on earth," Nina says in her Instagram post. "I have to say I am HARD to SURPRISE. I always know what’s up. But they got me good. I’m still in shock to be honest. Feeling incredibly lucky, celebrated, loved, grateful and appreciative of all the wonderful souls I am fortunate to surround myself with."

Screenshots via Shaun White/TikTok

February 1, 2024 — Shaun White Calls Nina Dobrev His "Perfect Score"

At the beginning of February, Shaun White posted a TikTok of him and Nina Dobrev snowboarding together. Rather than snowboarding side by side, they're almost on top of one another as Shaun literally lifts Nina off the ground to spin them around. It's literally the cutest moment, and it makes *me* want to go snowboarding — if I have someone to snowboard with ;).

Screenshot via Nina Dobrev/Instagram Stories

February 11, 2024 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Attend The Super Bowl

Shaun and Nina shared a few flicks from their adventures before, during, and after Super Bowl LVIII on Instagram. The couple watched the game, flew over Las Vegas, together, and even sipped some Don Julio tequila to celebrate after the fact.

My favorite moments that the duo documented on social were definitely Nina chowing down on a hot dog in the stands (that's so me), Shaun dancing along to Usher's halftime show, and them sharing a kiss after the big Chiefs win!

The two just look *so* happy together, and that makes me happy.

"Can you propose to this women yet? Beautiful couple!!!😍🔥," one commenter wrote on Instagram... and I'm wondering the exact same thing!

Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

March 10, 2024 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Do Date Night At Oscars Afterparty

The stars always show out for the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, and Shaun and Nina were no exception to that rule! Our fave fiery couple looked amazing on the red carpet, but their best look? These two were smitten and all smiles on Nina's Instagram! Major heart eyes moment to say the least!

Screenshots via Shaun White/TikTok

April 3, 2024 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Go Snowboarding (Again)

Snowboarding might not be a new thing for this "it" couple, but they still find a way to make it more fun every time they go. "Nina dropped her snowboard, so we had to go rescue it," Shaun says in a recent TikTok. In the video, he's carrying Nina while they snowboard and I am more than impressed! "Not all heroes wear capes," the caption reads.

Image via Shaun White/Instagram

April 6, 2024 — Shaun White And Nina Dobrev Celebrate Spring

Shaun White recently posted a recap of the sweetest spring date with Nina Dobrev and it's got me dreaming of warm afternoons and sunshine! "Lil’ bit of life lately 🍑," he says on Instagram. In addition to a video of the couple singing along to the radio, my favorite photo is Shaun and Nina in their bright orange jackets with the city in the background. I cannot wait for spring!

Shaun White/Instagram

July 2024 — Shaun White and Nina Dobrev Head To The Olympics

Shaun White and Nina Dobrev are currently in Paris, France for the 2024 Olympics...along with Zac Efron apparently. The couple partied it up, but when they got back to their hotel and realized the elevator was out, Shaun climbed more than three flights of stairs with Nina on his back!

The Vampire Diaries actress is still recovering from a dirt bike accident in May, and has recently moved from crutches to a cane. We're wishing Nina a speedy recovery!

Nina Dobrev/Instagram

August 28, 2024 — Shaun White & Nina Dobrev Attend A Gossip Girl Star's Wedding, And Look Good Doing It

Shaun White and Nina Dobrev turned up in style to Jessica Szohr's (who you'll recognize as Vanessa from GG) wedding to Brad Richardson. Nina served as Jessica's Maid of Honor, and their Instagram posts have me emotional!!

"Almost two decades of friendship, there’s almost nothing we haven’t been through together," Nina says in her caption. "It makes me so happy to see you glowing with such a huge smile on your face. It’s an indescribable feeling to see your best friend marry the man of her dreams and create a beautiful (arguably the most beautiful) family together. It’s just the beginning, your life starts now. Congratulations you two lovebirds 🤍🤍🤍 i love you both so much!!!"

"You have been there with me through thick and thin for almost 2 decades… so thank you… thank you Nina for all you’ve done throughout our friendship- but especially for all the wedding events;)," Jessica's post says. "You outdid yourself … going through a surgery, had a movie coming out, redoing a house, and being such an amazing friend through everything. For real- love you more than you will ever know!"

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October 30, 2024 — Nina Dobrev And Shaun White Announce Their Engagement

Nina and Shaun announced that they're engaged at the end of October, and in Julianne Hough's words, "made all our dreams come true!" The couple posted separate Instagram posts celebrating the news, and Nina's definitely made me laugh: "RIP boyfriend, hello fiancé."

Shaun popped the question in front of a beautiful arch decorated in white roses (with a 5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond ring, no biggie), and literally swept Nina off her feet. "I went into shock. I just froze and stared at him,” Nina tells Vogue. And even though she says she blacked out and doesn't remember the actual proposal, she does know "he said all the right things.” I could cry!

The proposal came after Shaun had had to reschedule a few times — and to make sure Nina wasn't suspicious, he sent her a fake invitation to a dinner with Anna Wintour! "He made the invite look so legitimate,” Nina says.

Check back here for the latest update on Shaun White and Nina Dobrev, and read up on Gigi Hadid And Bradley Cooper’s Full Relationship Timeline.

This post has been updated.

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16 Spicy Cocktails To Add A Kick To Your Weekend

Sometimes you just want your cocktail to bite back – and with more than just vodka. When herbal drinks and floral concoctions just don’t do it for you, think about adding a little bit of chili to your libations! You’ve experienced savoriness in your Bloody Mary (and even your margarita from time to time), but how about a gin and tonic or a Moscow mule? It’s time to step out of your comfort zone and try some spicy cocktails with your next brunch feast or happy hour get-together. Scroll down for 14 spicy cocktails that’ll definitely get you sweatin'.

Cozy Cravings

Spicy Watermelon Margaritas

Watermelon is just the refreshing flavor note you need to balance out the jalapeño in these spicy cocktails. (via Cozy Cravings)

Tito's Vodka

Pickle & Jalapeño TitoRita

Pickles and jalapeños go surprisingly well together in this delightfully briny concoction. (via Tito's Vodka)

A Spicy Perspective

Spicy Micheladas

You haven't lived until you've tried a michelada. This iteration works in some extra spice to get the party goin'! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Gastroplant

Jade Mezcal Margarita

These spicy cocktails are like a hybrid between your favorite green juice and a classic marg. Packed with kale, ginger, and orange juice, they're an equally healthy and boozy sip! (via Gastroplant)

Mixop

Mango Habanero Margaritas

Mango and habanero will always be a match made in heaven. You'll get a swig of spicy, fruity, sweet, and sour with these gorgeous spicy cocktails! (via Mixop)

Heather Christo

Spicy BLT Green Bloody Marys

There’s a good chance you’ll never buy store-bought Bloody Mary mix ever again after having these spicy sips. Plus, bacon as a garnish? Yes, please! (via Heather Christo)

Jonathan Melendez

Spicy Tomato Gin + Tonics

Put that cocktail muddler to work with this serrano and tomato-infused gin and tonic. Serve 'em ice-cold with cucumber and a salt, pepper, and cayenne-dipped rim. (via Jonathan Melendez)

Nerds With Knives

Hibiscus Cocktail with Mint & Jalapeño

You may not be surprised to see hibiscus in a cocktail, but you might be shocked to drink it with jalapeño. Don’t knock it ’til you try it, because the flavor is *fire.* (via Nerds With Knives)

Inspired by Charm

Sweet Heat

If you’re intimidated by adding peppers to your spicy cocktails, try adding a small amount to a sweet drink to balance it out. This one has jalapeño suspended in a mixture of vodka, pineapple juice, and simple syrup. (via Inspired by Charm)

Cooking For Keeps

Mango & Serrano Chili Daiquiris

Take your stay-cation seriously by lounging outside with a pitcher of these spicy mango daiquiris. You might want to have a glass of water nearby, because these puppies pack a punch. (via Cooking For Keeps)

Cookie + Kate

Pineapple Cilantro Serrano Cocktails

Make these spicy cocktails at home to serve a whole crowd of happy tequila drinkers. (via Cookie + Kate)

Best Friends for Frosting

Pineapple Jalapeño Sangria

Your sangria isn’t immune to the power of peppers. Go for a ripe Chardonnay with tropical flavors to best match up with the pineapple juice and jalapeño! (via Best Friends for Frosting)

Cake ‘n Knife

Spicy Jalapeño Gimlet

You don’t need a ton of frills to enjoy a zesty, spicy cocktail. This gimlet requires only good quality vodka, lime juice, and jalapeño simple syrup to create a strong sip. (via Cake ‘n Knife)

Foolproof Living

Cilantro-Infused Spicy Jalapeño Margaritas

This little number is not for the faint of heart. Thankfully, the sweet and sour flavor of the margarita mix and the cooling effect of cilantro diffuse the spiciness, so it doesn’t totally overwhelm the palate. (via Foolproof Living)

Hello Little Home

Spicy Grapefruit Paloma

If you’re over the classic margarita, a paloma is a great tequila cocktail to take its place! (via Hello Little Home)

Vintage Kitty

Spicy Thai Basil Cucumber Cocktail

Use cucumber and basil to create a cooling base to saturate this bev with spicy flavor. (via Vintage Kitty)

Check out our complete list of hot cocktails for more drink inspiration!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

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Gabrielle Union Bravely Bares It All At 52: "This Is Sexy"

Gabrielle Union had me hooked the second I saw her in Bring It On, and she's only impressed me more and more since — including her recent birthday post. The mother of four took to Instagram to celebrate her 52nd birthday, breaking the norms of what your 50s should look like. Here's what the actress had to say — and celebrate — on her birthday!

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In an Instagram post on October 29, 2024, Gabrielle Union shared a seven-slide homage to her 52nd birthday. The post is a collection of images, videos, and interviews that seem to represent Gabrielle — and how she's feeling — in this year of her life. In the mix of all that? A shot of Gabrielle in an outdoor shower, covering herself with a tiny towel.

It's no secret that Gabrielle is gorgeous, but she's taking any preconceived notions you have about how a 52-year-old woman should look and tossing them out the window. In her caption, the star wrote, "This is 52. This is grown woman sh-t. This is being accountable for mess ups. Being gracious when others mess up. Being open to being wrong and being proud and confident when your are right."

The caption continues, outlining even more of Gabrielle's birthday manifesto. She said, "This is loving passionately and unapologetically. This is clear and firm boundaries. This is sexy. This is audacious. This is fun and full of wild adventures. This is calling a thing a thing and not falling for the Okey Doke and demanding better. This is being alone without being lonely. This is enjoying nature. This is fierce and compassionate motherhood. This is fighting for my people and yours. This is me at 52. Loving ALL of me."

Seeing someone so bravely share their body, despite what others may think is incredibly inspiring. While Gabrielle is obviously a celebrity with access to plenty of products and treatments and other things of that nature, baring it all is still incredibly vulnerable — especially when so many people may act like "women of a certain" age should stay in their lane.

So here's to more women loving their bodies and embracing whatever chapter they're in!

When is Gabrielle Union's birthday?

Gabrielle Union's birthday is October 29, 1972.

How old is Gabrielle Union?

Gabrielle Union is 52 years old. I swear, the older she gets, the more beautiful she becomes!

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Surprise! Scream Queen Melissa Barrera Actually Doesn’t Care About Halloween — Exclusive

Melissa Barrera's Your Monster might be the perfect unconventional Halloween movie, but the actress actually isn't a huge fan of the holiday. "I'm not a big Halloween person," she told me at the movie's New York premiereon October 24. "Weirdly, I haven't dressed up for Halloween in a long time."

The movie follows Melissa's Laura, who gets dumped after a cancer scare, then finds out her ex has cast another woman in the musical she helped him develop. The cherry on top? When she returns to her childhood home for recovery, she finds a monster living in her closet. Like Lisa Frankenstein, Heathers, and other cult classics before it, Your Monster provides an outlet for female rage — and while I have no doubt it was satisfying to make, it feels almost as satisfying to watch. And we can thank the women involved!

Dominik Bindl/Getty Images

"I feel so fortunate that I got to work with all of them in one front," Melissa Barrera says of director Caroline Lindy and costars Kayla Foster and Meghann Fahy a few days after the premiere. "They're so talented and so generous and so lovely and it just kind of felt like working with friends." Despite the fact the group already knew each other, Melissa was welcomed with open arms. "It was such a safe space, you know, it was so safe and unjudgmental and truly collaborative and it was all about propping each other up all the time."

"Even behind the scenes, there were a lot of women too," she says before exclaiming, "Women in film! It's great because also, it's about female rage. It's a story about female rage. So it makes sense that it would be women that have been through this, that understand what it's like, that know what Laura is going through to tell this story."

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I loved seeing Melissa reunite with the cast and crew at the premiere, but this isn't the first time she's formed a bond with a costar. After the release of Scream 6 in 2023, videos of Melissa and her onscreen sister Jenna Ortega laughing during the press tour went viral — and considering how much the moment reminded me of my relationship with my own sister, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask about it.

"I was so sick during the whole press," she says. "We were laughing because I would start choking on my cough, so it was hilarious — or I would start laughing and it would make me cough and then I couldn't stop. So yeah, we were laughing a lot during that press run because I was sick as a dog."

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But a relationship with Jenna, and laughing, weren't the only things Melissa went viral for last year. After posting about the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, Melissa Barrera was fired from Scream. Jenna Ortega left the franchise a few days later, citing scheduling conflicts with Wednesday season 2. Earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of Your Monster, Melissa revealed how "grateful" she was for the experience because, in the long, run it helped her "finally figure out who I'm supposed to be." And now that we're at a time of year where people are retrospective, she feels even more grounded in herself — because while others are just now reflecting on the year they've had, she tells Brit + Coshe's been reflecting since long before January.

"Everybody's kind of like thinking of like, 'What does the future hold? Like, how do we make it better?' And I have been thinking that for a year," she says. "There's people that have actually been on this journey for way longer, and it's them that we should be thanking for our world not being like over with right now, you know? They're the ones that continue to make changes for the better and to fight for better things for all of us."

"I definitely feel like a changed person. I definitely feel like my priorities are completely different than they were a year ago," she continues. "I see the world through different eyes now, I see people through different eyes. I see the industry through different eyes, and I'm so grateful for that. I'm so grateful for everything that I went through, even though it was really hard, I'm so grateful that I lived it and that I survived it, and that I'm stronger for it. And that I know I have a focus of what I wanna keep doing, not just for me and my career, but like, how can I contribute to the industry and to the world to make it better and safer for everyone?"

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And Your Monster is a beautiful contribution to the industry. I was really struck by the idea of not only confronting your childhood monsters, but befriending them. "I want people to come out of [Your Monster] having had a good time, a good laugh, and just feeling good," she says. "Because I feel like a lot of times you come out of the theater feeling so heavy because movies are so dark [but] that's what Caroline wants with her films. She wants to make movies where people can feel safe in the movie theater."

"Second, I hope that people catch on to the layers of the story and how deep it actually is, and Laura's journey, and the metaphors for how repressed we are," she continues. "And I keep saying women, but it's not necessarily just women, anybody can feel that way. And this idea of befriending the monster in your closet is such a life hack. Imagine not being scared of the thing that scared you in your childhood anymore! Like how liberating and how beautiful to actually fall in love with it and to make peace with it and then be able to go through life fearless like that. I wish that for everyone. So I hope that it makes people think and that they wanna re-watch because there's every time that you watch this movie there, you'll see more of the genius that Caroline injected in like tiny little details."

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And for an actress who went to school for theatre and describes it as her "first love" (not to mention the fact she stunned as Vanessa in 2021's In The Heights), she was more than happy to step back onto the stage...kind of. "It was so fun," she says. "Being able to portray that world so accurately too, we had a lot of actual New York theater people come in and do little one-scene things."

"There are people like [Laura's ex] Jacob out there, there's that nervousness, the tension, the excitement, the anticipation, and it's such a beautiful process," she continues. "I love being able to live vicariously through Laura and live out that dream of the Broadway debut. And I think there's such a stigma against theatre and musicals in film, such, like, a rejection that I don't understand because there used to be a time where every movie was a musical and it was amazing! What happened? But to show another side to it through not full face musical, but a little taste of that in a movie that otherwise is a normal movie, I think for me as a theater nerd, as a musical theater geek, it's great to be able to lure people in and be like, 'Look at this beauty, so cool. Maybe go watch musicals!'"

See Melissa Barrera in Your Monster now! Ready to get in a spooky mood? Check out 42 Spooky Halloween Movies To Stream On Your Next Night In for the ultimate movie marathon.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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