Espresso Martini Recipe

If you haven't heard of Ranch Water yet, prepare yourself because it's about to be everywhere. And, once you've tried it, it's easy to see why: Ranch Water is basically a not-sweet, super pared-down margarita ... with bubbles. Intrigued? Read on for the unbelievably easy recipe, plus our tips for setting up a Ranch Water serving station (on a bookshelf!).

Traditional glühwein, which translates to 'glow wine' will make cheeks rosy and keep Oktoberfest and fall fun in full swing. Be sure to keep the recipe handy for winter months, too. This soul-warming sip will put a fire in your belly (and a glow in your cheeks) when temperatures plummet.

Take your bottle of pinot to the next level.

This rich chocolate cake hails from the Black Forest region of Germany. It’s a layered confection soaked with Kirsch (cherry liqueur), and filled with whipped cream and Morello cherry preserves. Make several of this mini version to feed an Oktoberfest party crowd. Petite but with a tasty punch of rich chocolate and tart cherries, these mini mouthfuls are the perfect way to end an Oktoberfest feast.

Oktoberfest wouldn’t be the same without golden kartoffelpuffer, otherwise known as German potato pancakes. We’ve miniaturized them for bite-sized finger food that's perfect for an Oktoberfest celebration. Serve the crispy mouthfuls with applesauce and sour cream for dipping.

Germany is known for dense, whole grain, multi-seeded bread called dreikernebrot. It’s a nutrition-packed dietary staple that can be found at every corner bakery and is a favorite of locals and tourists, alike. Now you can bring the hearty flavor home and make an authentic loaf in your kitchen using this recipe. Dreikernebrot is a tasty seeded loaf that will fortify you through the festive days of Oktoberfest and beyond.

Nothing’s better than homemade apple strudel — unless it’s having one all to yourself. These individual strudels have a crunchy phyllo wrapper with a sweet interior of shredded apples, golden raisins and walnuts. Serve this classic German confection, aka apfelstrudel, as a sweet ending to your Oktoberfest celebration.

Turn your favorite cocktails into a batch of frozen slushies — no blender required.

Got a bumper crop of berries? Lucky you! Learn how to turn fresh fruit into a centuries-old sip: a shrub, or drinking vinegar, that can be enjoyed as either a cocktail or an alcohol-free restorative. And, bonus, because shrubs rely on the juice extracted from fruit, you can use very ripe and even overripe fruit for maximum fruity flavor.

Soft, chewy pretzels are a frequent sight in German biergartens and the perfect salty companion to beer and (yum!) beer cheese. Up your Oktoberfest game this year and bake up a batch of these chewy munchables that are perfect for dipping. Learn how to make this fun, easy dish in just a few steps using readymade dough.