The next few weeks include a bevy of beverage-related events from the Kentucky Derby to Cinco de Mayo to the official World Cocktail Week -- and as luck would have it, I'm going on vacation! To help you out and hopefully tide you over until I return (with a ton of most likely annoying posts about awesome nightlife and cocktails I found in the Bahamas), I've posted some pertinent resources below for your informational pleasure.

Salud!

First up, the Kentucky Derby. Also known as the only event I would ever consider buying an enormous hat for -- which of course, has always made me really want to go just to do that. ;) Celebrate in style with a great Mint Julep recipe from CocktailTimes.com.

Second, celebrate Mexican heritage and independence next Wednesday with some creative Cinco de Mayo cocktails,
courtesy of The Cocktail Enthusiast.

Third, World Cocktail Week kicks off May 6 through May 13 and believe me, this is kind of a big deal. Get the facts straight from the source at the Museum of the American Cocktail Web site.

And finally, the ever-on-top-of-things Colleen Graham will be updating us all on each event as it nears, so find out more by visiting her blog at cocktails.about.com.