I love sharing a drink with my family over the holidays as a nice change from drinking because of them.

The Front Porch Hosts Thirsty Thursdays

Twice a month, The Front Porch hosts Thirsty Thursday, featuring a different liquor and theme each time. This week's event, from 5:30 to 9pm, showcases Singani 63, the ancient Bolivian spirit imported by filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. Expect Singani cocktails and specially paired bites, as well as a chance to chat with Scott Krinsky, the local Singani ambassador. If you're thirsty, but it's not Thursday, try My Sherry Amour on the normal menu, a vermouth and sherry-based lo-fi cocktail that looks like a tree ornament and and generates a dollar for SF-Marin Food Bank every time you drink one. // 65a 29th St. (Mission), thefrontporchsf.com

San Francisco Celebrates Bartending Pioneer, Jerry Thomas

Nineteenth century bartender Jerry Thomas, aka the father of American mixology, was a big fan of Genever, the predecessor of gin and Holland's national spirit. This week (December 12-18)m, more than a dozen Bay Area bars will #ToastJerry by serving Genever-based cocktails inspired by recipes from his 1862 book, How to Mix Drinks or The Bon-Vivant's Companion. Participating bars include 54 Mint, Comstock Saloon, Devil's Acre, Bourbon & Branch, White Chapel, Absinthe, Nightbird, Dobbs Ferry, Alembic, Sessions at The Presidio, Louie's, Blackbird, The Treasury, and Café du Nord.

Smokestack Kicks Off 12 Days of Holiday Cocktails

Starting Monday, December 12, Smokestack at Magnolia Brewing will launch its second annual 12 Days of Holiday Cocktails. Inspired by the bar team's favorite festive beverages, a different holiday-themed drink will magically appear on the menu each day. If you don't like surprises, you can sneak a peek at each day's cocktail revelation by following @sfsmokestack on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. // 2505 3rd St. (Dogpatch), magnoliasmokestack.com

A Sunday Kind of Love at Finn Town

The Castro's most recent addition to the local brunch and late night dining scene is named for the neighborhood's nom de guerre during the Gold Rush era: Finn Town. The tavern houses two separate bars and two cocktail lists. During brunch, served Saturday and Sunday starting at 10am, we recommend A Sunday Kind of Love, the flaming coffee drink that will warm even the coldest heart. // 2251 Market St. (Castro), finntownsf.com

Jersey's New Happy Hour Menu

Toast the famous turnpike at Jersey's new happy hour, every weekday from 2:30 to 7pm. Enjoy $3 local craft beers and $5 glasses of wine and bubbly, paired with New Jersey-inspired bites and both California- and Jersey-style Pizzas. The Taylor Pork Roll Pizza, made with Jersey sauce, fried egg, mozzarella and provolone, makes taking this exit worthwhile. // 145 2nd St. (SoMa), jerseysf.com