With the hustle and bustle of December finally winding down, the last thing you don't want to have to worry about is what to serve your guests for holiday gatherings or new year's eve! Here are a few drink ideas that your friends and family are sure to enjoy. 

 A classic Champagne Cocktail is always a hit no matter what the occasion. The recipe below calls for Champagne and for value and quality I recommend either the Korbel Brut or Piper Sonoma Brut as possible options. If you really want to impress your guests then Taittinger La Francaise Brut or Veuve Clicquot Pansardin (yellow label) are always considered to be among the best Champagne houses.

Ingredients:

• 1 sugar cube
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Champagne
• 1 oz brandy
• orange slice for garnish
• maraschino cherry for garnish

Preparation:

1. Place the sugar cube in the bottom of a Champagne flute.
2. Use the dashes of Angostura bitters to saturate the sugar cube.
3. Add the brandy.
4. Fill with Champagne.
5. Garnish with the orange slice and cherry.

To help cope with the coldest of winter days or nights, sipping a traditional Hot Buttered Rum in the comfort of your own home may actually change your perception of the winter months. For this recipe, I suggest a spiced rum such as Captain Morgan. I do not recommend a flavored rum- no coconut or banana, especially!   

Ingredients:

• 1 small slice soft butter
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• optional spices to taste: ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice
• vanilla extract
• 2 oz dark rum
• hot water

Preparation:

1. Place the butter, sugar and spices at the bottom of an Irish coffee glass or mug.
2. Mix well or muddle.
3. Pour in the rum and hot water.
4. Stir.

If you are trying to figure out what to serve at the end of a delicious dinner or appetizer party, the Holiday Hopper martini is sure to catch the eye and sweet tooth of everyone.  See recipe below:

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Midori melon liqueur
• 1/2 oz green creme de menthe
• 1/2 oz white creme de cacao
• 2 oz half and half
• mint leaves for garnish
• raspberry for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a mint leaves and a raspberry.

My holiday toast to everyone to ring out the old year and welcome in the new is this: Here's to a memorable 2010 and may the new year bring you good health, happiness and the discovery of new and exciting beverages in 2011! Cheers to you, Brad Wermager