NEW DRINK MENU ALERT! >>>

I love the change of seasons from summer dresses and sunglasses to stylish coats and comfy scarves.

With the change in weather comes a change in my libation choices. Blustery, grey skies beg of me to sip on flavorful, warmed cocktails. "Come in from the cold," they sing, "and wrap those frozen digits around my glass and partake."

And so I do. Bartenders change drink menus to match the changes in the kitchen.

The Social Bar and Grill is no exception, releasing a new seasonal craft cocktail menu last Thursday. A visit was absolutely necessary - cause it was cold.

Unlike many establishments it's not the brilliant mind of one drink slinger but many as they enlist their crew to come up with some of their own recipes. For this round they did with great zest and excitement, perhaps only matched by my taste buds.

Having fond memories of The Socials Hot Buttered Rum ($8) last winter, I had to see if the house made recipe, courtesy of co-owner/operator Jason Bailey stood the test of time.

It did.

Bits of clove, cinnamon and brown sugar swirled around in my steaming cup and warmed me up to a smile. It was just as I remembered; it's like sipping on the holiday season in a cup.

My second choice was the Cranberry Shrub ($8) because to be quite frank, I didn't have the foggiest idea what "shrub syrup" meant. Co-owner Philip Panagos told me that "in the 20s it was added to gin to make it palatable." The Social's house made version includes cranberries, red wine vinegar and sugar - among other top-secret additions. Made with chilled Hendricks Gin, Cointreau and a house made shrub syrup; this martini is almost too refreshing to be included on the winter menu. Not to say it wasn't delightful, it was much lighter than I anticipated, with just a slight tartness from the cranberry. I thought about carrying it outside to The Social's fire tables overlooking the water.

My editor Pappi Swarner rod eshotgun during the bar menu sampling.

"A glass of The Social's Butternut Cream ($8) can be a downright delightful nightcap after an evening of downtown Tacoma winter festivities. To make this hug in a glass, the Social bartenders combine house made butternut puree with Mount Gay Rum and Amaretto. The result is a rich, meaty drink that at first burst with sugar as you make your way through the mountain of whipped cream, but then dives deep into your veins filling them with warmth and courage," wrote Swarner via email. He adored the cocktail to the point I thought I'd have to find him an afghan.

More visits are necessary as we barely made a dent in the new drink choices that include a Hot Apple Toddy ($8) - which puts a spin on a traditional bourbon drink by using Fireball, apple liquor, apple cider and egg white - and unique and flavorful sounding Amber Angel ($10) loaded with Angel Envy Bourbon, Wild Turkey, Merlet Creme de Cassis, St. Germaine and sweet vermouth.

THE SOCIAL BAR AND GRILL, OPENS 11 A.M. DAILY, 1715 DOCK ST., TACOMA, 253.301.3835