Just in time for the holiday drinking season, the folks at SmartsCo. have released the cool new quiz game.

This quiz game comes with 60 true or false and multiple choice questions covering thise 4 bartending subjects

• In My Glass - characteristics of some of the most popular drinks
• Trade Tools - bar tools and equipment required for specific drinks
• Lingo - defines useful cocktail terminology
• Wild Card - includes history, trivia and other choice bits of information

The game also comes with 12 drink recipe coasters and a cocktail compainion guide. Assured to spice up you next cocktail party.

Also make a great gift for just about anyone.

CocktailSmarts

Forbes - the magazine famous for lists has put out a list for us all to remember as we dive into the Holidays. AS you know, I am a big fan of cocktails and mixology. That said, they do have some calories, so proceed with caution. Remember that booze has quite a few calories, even in small amounts. A 1 ounce shot has as many calories as a beer. Wow, who knew. Of course, not using a tom of mixers will help save the calories, just plan your mixers well. I often mix my spirits with nothing but water, sparkling or still. Add a bit of fresh lemon or lime and you are good to go.
10 most fattening cocktails

photo: Forbes

Esquire has put out a terrific list of rules that every man, and we mean EVERY man should know. A few samples:

#9 Garnish Matters

#13 At the Office Holiday Party Have one laess drink than your boss

#24 On those chrome, hourglass-shaped bar measuring cups, the big side is the jigger. The little side is the pony. Never use the pony.

#39 Don’t call the bartender Barkeep, Chief, Buddy, or Ace, unless his actual name, in fact, is Barkeep, Chief, Buddy, or Ace.

#57 If it doesn’t have vermouth, it’s not a Martini. If what you really want is iced gin (or vodka) straight up, order it that way.

#69 When all else fails, have a Martini. (my personal favorite!)

The esquire drinking site also has a clever drink recipe section. It is caterogized by type of drink (i.e. sidecars, daiquiris, julpes, etc…) Each has an interesting tidbit about the history of that type of drink. Very Cool.

Esquire Drinks & Drinking Rules

The perfect gift for the Man in your life. In this guide Brian brakes down the problems with today’s men and set out to better us all. Brain’s mission is to re-introduce a bit of style into the every day man. He lays out how to be classy, fashionable all around more atttactive. He also waxes poetic on tips for picking up dames, and breaks ‘em all down. As for the booze part, Brian adds a bit of class back into the art. Much like this site. He also throws in some of his favorite toasts.

Brian Griffin’s Guide to Booze, Broads, and the Lost Art of Being a Man

more bar books…

The Holidays are here! The office party, the girls cookie swap, those nice people down the street - yes, lots of parties and lots of drinking. This doesn’t mean you have to over do it. Use some of these simple tips to help you make the most of your holiday cheer.

1. Know Your Limit - nothing can ruin a good time faster
2. Eat while you drink - that’s what the Hors d’Oeuvres are for
3. Alternate drinks with a glass of water - keeps you hydrated and you drink less
4. Drink for quality, not quantity - enjoy what you are drinking, not how much
5. Sip, don’t gulp your drink
6. Don’t drink on a empty stomach
7. Avoid mixing drinks - beer before liquor, never sicker or something like that, you get the point
8. Always have a designated driver - if that is you, Don’t Drink

To celebrate the new James Bond Film, “Casino Royale“, we have to ask, “Shaken or Stirred”. Plus we found this nifty new polling widget.

Let us know if you like it or if you have a question we can answer with a quick poll.

more Martinis…

This online tool, from Intoximeters, calculates your blood alcohol level based on number and type of drink, your weight, gender and number of hours since imbibing. This isn’t a liscense to drink and drive - NEVER DO THAT, but rather a fun experiment while drinking with freinds. The are no guarnatees that this is accurate, so email me with a sob story about how you got a DUI. Just don’t Drink and Drive. Play with this at home.

Breath Alcohol Calculator