The holidays are almost upon us, and that means "’tis the season" for parties with co-workers, dinners with families, get-togethers with close friends and quiet nights by the fireside with loved ones. If you’re planning to do some entertaining, do everyone a favor and look beyond the traditional spiked eggnog and hot buttered rum. There are some better options; so here are a few suggestions to warm your belly and fill your guests with holiday cheer.

Some Like it Hot

On a cold winter day, there are few things better than a steaming mug of coffee, hot chocolate or mulled cider served with chestnuts or biscotti besides a roaring fire. Put some "fire" in the mug by adding one ounce (approximately a shot) of Vecchia Romagna Brandy and garnish with whipped cream. Brandy mixes exceptionally well with warm beverages (especially coffee) and adds a sweet, yet slightly spicy, bite to the drink. Vecchia Romagna, which is one of the oldest Brandy distillers in Italy, imports four sophisticated Brandies: Etichetta Nera or "Black Label," which retails for a very affordable $26.99, and three high-end vintage Riservas (10, 15 and 35 years old) that range from $40 to $200. Vecchia Romagna Brandies are also available in attractive gift boxes that make great gifts for "dads and grads."

Love that Lemon

What is it that bartenders and desert chefs have in common these days? The answer is a delightful liqueur known as Lemoncillo (also spelled Limoncello). Perfect for cocktails and confections, Lemoncillo is a luscious spirit made from lemon zest infused with alcohol. It has gained in fame due to its versatility and perfectly balanced sweet/tart flavor. One Italian company, Giori, produces a Lemoncillo that has earned praise from epicurean experts and can be used equally well in Cosmo Volcanoes as it can in lemon meringue. Giori also offers a one-of-a-kind Lemoncillo "Cream" liqueur that serves well in espresso or drizzled over brownies as a glaze. Giori Lemoncillo and Lemoncillo Cream both retail at $18.99 for a 750-ml bottle.

Feel the Chill

Cocktails are a sure-fire hit for holiday parties, and no cocktail party is complete without vodka. Vodka (especially the unflavored, premium kind) is ideal for cocktails because true, quality vodka has a faint, icy aroma and a smooth, dry, almost neutral taste that inherits the character and flavor of a mixer. So, everything from chic Cosmopolitans, Martinis and Vodka Mimosas, to standards like White Russians, Gimlets and Screwdrivers can be made from the same bottle. One exceptional example is Kutskova: a Russian-made, five-times filtered, double distilled, super-premium vodka. Kutskova, which retails in the $25 range, has received rave reviews as well as gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Tastings International Review of Spirits, for its pure, crisp flavor and cool, soft aftertaste.

Something Different

If you’re looking for a truly unique gift for a liqueur connoisseur, look for a delightful cordial called Amaro Montenegro. For those of you not familiar with Amaro Montenegro, it is an herbal liqueur that has a sweet taste and slightly bitter finish and is usually served before or after a meal. Bartenders and barristas across Europe have been using Amaro for years as an ingredient in everything from cocktails to coffees, and it is now beginning to gain popularity here in America. With vibrant flavors of spice, molasses, clove and orange peel, Amaro Montenegro was recently given outstanding ratings by the "Spirit Journal," "Wine Spectator" and "Wine Enthusiast." It serves best straight when chilled or at room temperature poured over ice cream. For the holidays, Amaro Montenegro is available as a gift set that comes with a special Amaro glass and retails for $21.99.

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