Michael Stuart NY: Whiskey. For the ladies. Lady Whiskey.

Well, it's Friday folks. And what does that mean? The delightful weekend of course. And what does that mean? Hopefully it means countless of hours of relaxation filled with fabulous friends, delicious food, and "oh what a night" cocktails.

And speaking of those cocktails...

It's 2011 people -- and the stringent line between male and female "roles" continue to blur. Woman are high powered executives, men cook dinner, women wear vests, (some) men wear heels, and so on. Well, one female stereotype seems to have gotten a bit stuck amidst this evolving culture of ours. And that nasty stereotype is known as... THE GIRLY DRINK

You know, the idea that women only enjoy the cosmo, the sea breeze, the (slightly shameful but I'll try not to judge) white wine spritzer, etc. You get the picture. Now, there is certainly nothing wrong with a sweet fruity drink. In fact, that's all my boyfriend will drink. But why should it be that when he orders for both of us, the server hands me the pink stuff and my guy gets the beer (and then we do the old switch-a-roo slide across the table).

There are plenty of women out there who enjoy a good beer and even, lo and behold, A GOOD WHISKEY.

Due to ad campaigns, old westerns, and Dean Martin, whiskey has always been considered a rather manly libation. Well, the awesome marketing folks over at Jack Daniels have started a new whiskey-for-women movement known as SPIKE THE COOKIES.

The basic concept? Enjoy some whisky with your lady friends without feeling like you have to act like a dude. Drink a little whiskey. Bake a little whiskey. Drink a little. Bake a little. You get the idea.

For a quick whiskey 101 visit: http://www.whiskychat.com/whisky-101/

And for the baking part, I figured since we ladies were drinking what has previously been associated with "men only", why not be bit crass (it is Friday afterall) and keep the theme going. Let us make...

BOURBON BALLS