Cocktail

On New Year's Eve, energy is high and the air is filled with electric verve in anticipation of what's to come. Is there any better time to celebrate? Whether you prefer to party gala-style with friends or celebrate at a chic and romantic bed and breakfast with that special someone, the options are abundant. And if driving on New Year's Eve is a downer for you, there are plenty of getaway packages where the elevator will be your only transportation. We've found the festivities, large and small, at lovely locales all within a few hours' drive.

Michael Jordan's takeover of the Washington Wizards should free Wes Unseld to build a Baltimore NBA franchise. Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham are mixing the world's most stupendous drug cocktail. After talking about talking, Israel and Syria are not talking about not talking, which is much the same thing. The governor's "Smart Growth" requires his planning his successor's capital budget now.

Late on a weeknight, Monyka and David are having cocktails at Baltimore's Red Maple. The waiter arrives and sets two drinks on the table - a pale pink cosmopolitan and a glass of single-malt scotch. Monyka reaches for the scotch and David picks up the cosmo. Unusual beverage choices for both genders? Not anymore. Sexual equality has hit the bar: More women are into hard liquor while men increasingly are unafraid to swig froufrou cocktails that, traditionally, have been deemed "girl's drinks."

It seems as though every bar program in Baltimore touts a classic cocktail menu these days. The trend isn't surprising if you note the revival of early 20th century across popular culture (read: "Downton Abbey," "Boardwalk Empire," the upcoming "Gatsby" remake - even "Mad Men"). But what every menu does not offer is the mysterious, yet often forgotten classic: the Pegu Club. This cocktail is the stuff of legend - spanning more than 100 hundred years, several continents and even questionable behavior.

The folks at Gordon Biersch Brewery have a passion. Surprisingly, despite the name, it's not just for beer (though their German lagers will keep aficionados busy). Instead, their brand is defined by craft: From brew to food to cocktail and anywhere in between, the newly opened Harbor East restaurant believes in made-from-scratch, small-batch meals and beverages that customers can get excited about. Though handcrafted beer is their first love, Gordon Biersch brewery aims to "up the ante" with their drink program as well, elevating it to craft-level by infusing quality brands, fresh flavors, and sustainable products into their cocktails.

Vespertine: being nocturnal or nightly; a popular album by Bjork; a drink created by author Ian Fleming in his first James Bond novel, “Casino Royale”; my favorite new cocktail at The Chameleon Café in Lauraville. When it comes to mixing up a quality drink, Chameleon's general manager - and self-proclaimed cocktail nerd - Matt Weaver means serious business. The drink list, created by Weaver just eight months ago, is an impressive tribute to Prohibition-era libations with a twist, or as Weaver says, “classic cocktails with character.”  Take the Vespertine, a clever spin on the Bond martini.

Bayne Joyes, managing director of Gitan Bistro Crú, takes cocktail naming almost as seriously as cocktail making. And he was willing to bet on it. "If you get the reference, the drink's on me," he said. Start doing your homework. You see, Joyes is "kind-of a fan" of obscure trivia. The drink menu at the new Canton restaurant reflects his quirky tastes, in both popular culture and quality liquor. Case in point: the Wiper. And yes, he stumped me. But after a sip, I didn't much mind.

The fall cocktail menu at B&O Brassiere proves that it takes more than just apple and pumpkin flavors to capture the season. "I wanted to create a drink that screamed fall - something that was rich and yet lively," head bartender and mixologist Brendan Dorr explains. His spirited concoction, the Orchard Express, a twist on the brandy-and-cognac-heavy Sidecar, speaks to both. The Express is a zippy infusion of more sophisticated autumnal tastes. The base spirit is still cognac - Remy Martin VS - but Dorr lightens the mood with two key ingredients: a Rothman & Winter apricot cordial and Cocchi Barolo Chinato.

With cocktails named African Nectar, Mayan Chocolate and The Crotchless (yes, really), hip Harbor East spot Vino Rosina wants you to know it's more than "just a wine bar. " In fact, general manager Joshua Barbour has set his sights much higher: "We've kicked [the drink menu] up a notch this year. We're rotating in homemade, seasonal vodka infusions that use fresh fruits and herbs. And customers can now taste any four infusion martinis together as a flight, for $12. " Decisions, decisions.

During the holidays, it is the small bits of brightness that bring the most pleasure. There's no need to make a seasonal wardrobe overhaul to be dressed for a party. A quick -- of festivity can be had with a pert cocktail hat, some glittery strands and pins on a simple dress, or a shoe that taps time to the fashion of the day and the party music. One special indulgence can do more to add sparkle to a party mood than hundreds of miles of twinkle lights. Enjoy!