Toast the holidays with Hangar One Vodka and Kraken Black Spiced Rum

The holiday season can be hard on a person. At least they’re hard on me.

Specifically, the holidays are hard on my bank account, hard on my waistline, and hard on my liver.

But sacrifices must be made for both my family and my work. Someone around here has to uphold the Haganesque tradition of insouciant debauchery. True, I’m getting a little old for such behavior, but the young guys are all too concerned with “core strength” and “mental fitness” and “not falling over” to cut loose and live a little.

So, here I am again to spread some liquid cheer to make your season bright – or at least more bearable.

First up on the bar this season is Hangar One Vodka. Some people say all vodka tastes the same, but Hangar One stands as prime evidence that this assertion is patently false.

Hangar One is distilled in California from a blend of Midwestern wheat and California Viognier grapes. The result is one of the most distinct straight vodkas you will ever taste. The grapes add an almost fruity note overlaid on top of the wheat backbone. Some people like to keep their vodka in the freezer to cut down the astringency, but Hangar One is so smooth, this is completely unnecessary. In fact, over-chilling will dull the sublime flavor – no hint of astringency here.

If you must mix, however, one of my favorites is adding Hangar One to pomegranate-acai juice with a splash of fresh lime juice and garnish with real pomegranate seeds.

For something completely different, try The Kraken Black Spiced Rum. To be honest, the taste of The Kraken straight up strikes me as medicinal, but fortunately, the company website offers an extensive list of recipes. My favorite on the list is Kraken with ginger beer and a splash of lime juice.

For something more adventurous, I muddled fresh mint leaves and then added Kraken, maple syrup, lime juice, a few drops of bitters, and topped with club soda –sort of a holiday mojito (adapted from a recent issue of Family Circle.

“Oh, my wealth is quickly waning, as my savings account is draining. But if I have a mojito, let it go, let it go, let it go….”