Holidays and booze go together like Christmas trees and lights. There's a nectar for every budget - from the impossible-to-get Pappy Van Winkle 23 year (priced recently at over $2,300 a bottle) to Lone Star Light.

What you choose to share with friends is your own business, but here are some of my favorites.

  • Bourbon on the rock: Yes, I said rock as in singular. If you have an exceptional bourbon, never make the mistake of adding too much water, and never EVER use a mixer with a fine Bourbon.A single rock will actually open up the spirit to reveal some of the depth in character. My recommendations include: Stag, Prichard's, Sazerac, Basil Hayden, Angel's Envy and Rowan's Creek. (*hint* if you're looking for a gift for your favorite midday DJ on 102.5 Kiss FM, there ya go!)
  • Hot Buttered Rum: This one is simple: a quality spiced rum.Heat some fresh apple cider in a coffee mug, filling the mug with about an inch of room left on top. Add two shots of spiced rum, a pat of butter, nutmeg and cinnamon to taste. Once the butter melts, you're ready to rock!
  • Cognac Ice Tea: IN THIS ORDER- fill a pint glass to three fingers with a decent Cognac (no need to get the top shelf stuff for this, but avoid cheap EJ brandy). Then, fill the glass to 3/4 full with ginger ale. Add 2-3 drops of Lemon Bitters (orange is fine too, as is regular bitters, but lemon is preferred). Then and only then, add ice to fill the glass.The result is as close to a Texas Sweet Tea as I've found. These are strong too, so prepare for a buzz.
  • The Classic Martini: This seems like a no-brainer, but for whatever reason I've discovered that few bars here in Lubbock really know how to properly make a martini.The "Classic" is based in gin garnished with an olive or lemon twist. Some important things to know: 1) use a GREAT gin (recommendations to follow). 2) Make that sucker COLD! 3) A lemon twist is basically the rind only, twisted into a spiral. It's easy to make, too. Fill your martini glass with ice and water, then set aside. Fill a shaker with ice and at least two shots of gin and just a few drops of dry vermouth.If you like it dirty, add half a shot of olive juice to taste. If you like it clean, add nothing more. Then, shake that mother like a shake weight workout (yes, ice chips in a martini are a good thing).

    By now, your glass should be sufficiently cold. Empty the ice and water from the glass and pour a "kiss" of vermouth into the glass. Swirl the vermouth and dump, then pour the gin into glass, insert garnish and enjoy.

    Now, many hate the taste of gin. In that case, I'll point you back to "Use a GREAT gin" and stuff your olive with blue cheese. The purpose of the blue cheese is to cut the juniper taste a bit and make for a creamy outcome. Of course, some gin haters will simply use the far less flavorful vodka in its place, and that's fine too, provided the vodka is also of high quality.

    Here are some highly recommended gins: Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's and, in my humble opinion, the best on the planet, almost rose flavored Nolete's.

  • Bourbon Cough Syrup: Disclaimer: this drink is horrible, but I had a friend who drank it almost exclusively and consequently was rarely sick.The poison is simple: two parts Maker's Mark, two parts steaming hot water and half a lemon. All YUCK, but to each his own, I guess.

Here is a list of other holiday drink ideas, none of which I've tried (yet). Let the holi-daze begin!

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