The holidays are upon us once again, which means it’s time to get into the spirit of spirits (as if you weren’t already!). For this blitzin’ time of year, there's one go-to gift for lushes of all ages: booze. From your 95-year-old gramps who swears by a shot of Seagram’s Seven a day to your Midwestern cousin who dreams of clinking her glass of Veuve Clicquot à la Mme. Bradshaw, you can’t go wrong with a little TLC via ABV. But choosing the perfect poison can be as difficult as picking out the perfect outdoorsy tchotchke for Dad—which is why Shecky’s has eliminated the guess work. Peruse our round-up of this year’s gift-worthy liquors and we guarantee the lucky folks on your holiday list will soon be slurring your praises as a cocktail connoisseur.

-Perri O. Blumberg

	Vodka: As any glossy ladies' mag will tell you, people gain an average of five pounds every holiday season. The culprit, typically, is not your mama’s sinfully tasty pumpkin pie, but the calories you’re packing in liquid form—eggnog, cider and seasonal brews, we’re looking at you! Luckily, you can have your vodka and drink it too with Voli light vodkas. Offered in a range of delicious flavors (including raspberry cocoa and espresso vanilla) for $20, you and your friends can indulge sans guilt with these low-cal bursts of goodness. Worried your bestie might get the wrong impression from a light delight? For full-proof fusion vodka, Stoli’s newest flavor, Chocolat Razberi (available in three sizes, $24-$42), melds milk-chocolaty undertones with the fruity kick of raspberries for an indulgent holiday treat—also perfect for tiding yourself over at that dreaded tree-decorating bash that's rife with frenemies and repeat renditions of “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
	Gin: Got a martini drinker on the list? For an Oscar-worthy rendition of the classic (shaken or stirred), trade in that Beefeater for a bottle of Bombay Sapphire East ($34). Your Esquire-reading BF will swoon over its unique blend of botanicals (which include Thai lemongrass and Vietnamese black peppercorn). The 84-proof spiced liquor also makes an exotic addition to Dad’s hand-carved, gold-accented mahogany bar (or, you know, the one he dreams of having).
	Tequila: Your Entourage-obsessed baby bro might just scream like a lady when presented with Avión Tequila, the Vinny-Chase-inspired liquid trend. Ranging in price from about $40-$58, Avion features agave that’s been slow-roasted in brick ovens for 48 hours to allow the complex and nuanced flavors to emerge. So while you may down shots of tequila holding your nose (let’s be real here!), your friends with more seasoned palates will adore the heightened hints of caramel, vanilla and cherries in these smooth and luxurious mixes. And hey, even if they can’t, they’ll be too happy screeching “It’s the Entourage tequila!” to care. For one of those gifts that keeps giving, hook a pal up with a bottle at La Biblioteca, Richard Sandoval’s dimly lit and devilishly sexy underground tequila bar. No need to finish the hooch in one visit—a tequila librarian will store your bottle in a private locker for drinking across multiple visits at your leisure.
	Rum: For that booze-stealing roommate, grab a hefty handle of Kraken Black Spiced Rum for $30—you might soon find yourself pillaging their stash instead. This 1.75 liter jug of strong-yet-smooth rum showcases the subtleties of Caribbean rum blended with a slew of spices. They don’t call it the Kracken for nothin'—this spicy 94 proof elixir will have the lucky recipient wreaking havoc like its namesake in no time.
	Whiskey: For your Bedford Avenue buddies and speakeasy-frequenting scenester pals, you may be tempted to give a classic bourbon-genre refreshment that would make the Rat Pack proud. Instead, opt for a bottle of Suntory Yamazaki Single Malt 12-Year Whisky, which offers a slightly different aromatic blend of dried fruits and honey. At $40, it’s just as elegant as a bottle of Jonny B, but its rounded, delicate flavor makes it suitable for the Mrs. Walkers of the world as well.
	Scotch: The “drinking whiskey by the fire” types in your life will both recognize and appreciate an old-timey delicacy like Glenrothes in their stockings. With prices ranging from “Score!” ($30-ish) to ibankers only (better part of $1K), these richly flavored single-malt scotch whiskeys make great “sippers” for high-earning gentlemen (and their wannabe counterparts).
	Cream Liqueur: For those dear friends from childhood who somehow never got over the My Little Pony stage of their lives, your usual wines and liquors may seem a tad too grown up for gifting. But there’s a brand-new booze that’s as saccharine, bubbly-pink and endlessly lovable as your BFF from third grade: Qream by Pharrell Williams. Packaged in a pseudo-regal Juicy Couture-esque bottle, the pastel potion tastes just like a Creamsaver and, while we can’t see your girlie girl’s Nantucket-native boo chugging it anytime soon, it’s actually damn tasty. We recommend the baby-pink strawberry flavor: it’s blingin’, but won’t set you back more than $30.
	Something Different: For an enticing addition to even the most complete bar, try the under-exposed Czech bittersweet liqueur, Becherovka ($26), which is infused with anise, cinnamon and a dizzying array of 32 other herbs in order to taste like, well, Christmas. The recipe for this easy-drinking Eastern anomaly has been kept top-secret since the 19th century, so it’s unlikely even DIY bar types will have anything similar on deck. Serve this unique liquor on the rocks or with tonic water for a refreshing punch.
	Beer: For the craft beer junkies in your life, the holiday season is rife with gift options. Our resident BeerAdvocate aficionado, Bret the Brew Man, recommends Goose Island Christmas Ale (4/$14). It exudes a subtle smell of nutmeg coupled with caramel for a sweet flavor and ideal carbonation that results in a very drinkable brew. Check out Whole Foods and specialty beer shops for this and other seasonal specials like the festive Troegs Mad Elf Ale (6/$15). Don’t feel like hauling ass to New Beer Distributors on Chrystie Street? Bret advises “grabbing a few six packs of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale—this delicious, super-hoppy, orange-colored IPA is readily available at almost all local supermarkets and, at under 7% ABV, is quite sessionable.”
	Wine: Everyone loves a bottle of two-buck Chuck, but a hostess may be expecting something a little more, er, generous to commend her mostess efforts. Instead, try Clos de los Siete Argentina 2009, a blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cab Sauv from esteemed international vino-maker Michel Rolland—a real steal at only $18. Its aroma of ripe berries and deep garnet hue pairs wonderfully with a main course like beef, but it also holds onto enough complexity to serve all on its own. For Christmas dinner with your sweetie’s parents, grab an angelic white like the $25 bottle of 2009 Glacier Ridge Chardonnay from California's Hearst Ranch. Its complex notes of peach, guava and zesty orange rind are as rich and luxurious as your BF’s ‘rents claim to be, and will have them clicking glasses like they’re at the Hearst Castle themselves. Bank account dipping dangerously low after an unintended splurging sesh in Union Square? A bottle of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is just $10, and sure to brighten up your Hannukah when tossed into a festive punch.