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Community Corner

Bring a Bottle of Cheer

Here are the beverages of choice to celebrate the start of 2011.

You wouldn't want to go empty handed to a New Year's Eve party so the experts at have recommendations on how to make a splash with these impressive gifts in a bottle: 

1.  Brooklyn is now more than just beer–for something new and cool to present to your host, offer them something from these two selections:  Breuckelen Distilleries, located in the Sunset Park area, of course, in Brooklyn, is an artisanal gin made with organic grains and botanicals.  It's very popular with the younger set and that's probably because the owner, Brad Estabrooke is only 31 years old.  Limited edition, Absolut Brooklyn, has the taste of apple and ginger.  The bottle design, showcasing a brownstone, is a Spike Lee collaboration reminiscent of his roots in this borough.  Price:  $30 to $35.

2.  Cordially speaking, you should think of bringing a cordial.  Another big trend, besides the local angle, is richly flavored brandies.   Available in pear and peach, Finger Lake Distilling located in Burdett, New York, just launched this delicious handcrafted product.  Price: $25 to $32.

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3.  Post carries almost every flavor of vodka.  You will find tomato, cucumber, mango, wild berry, espresso, coconut, sweet tea, and pomegranate to name a few.  But a skull shaped bottle called Crystal Head, goes beyond the spirits.  Co-founded by actor, Dan Aykroyd, this Canadian quadruple distilled and triple filtered vodka is symbolic of the mystical quartz heads unearthed in archeology digs across the world.   Another distinguished vodka is U'luvka from Poland.  With its teardrop shaped bottle, it comes in a boxed gift set with two beautifully etched shot glasses.  Price:  $50 to $55.

4.  We all know Dom, Veuve, and Mumm so instead of pouring over which brand of champagne to bring, impress everyone with these authentic "boutique" brands from France produced by single-vineyard growers in the Champagne region:  Vilmart & Cie from Rilly-La-Montagne, Marcel Moineaux from Chouilly, and Ulysse Collin from Congy.  Price: $65 to $70. There are also other sparkling wines to choose from, Cava from Spain and the resurgence of Prosecco from Italy. 

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Find these brands and much more at Post Wine and Liquor located at 510 Jericho Turnpike, west of Bicycle Planet in Syosset. 

516-921-1820

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