The Super Bowl and parties go together like baseball and performance enhancers. Sure, you can have one without the other, but it's a helluva lot more interesting when you combine them.

And for this year's Big Game, some of the top spirits companies have whipped together some cocktails you can use to take the edge off the pressure of having bet next month's salary on the over under.

From 1800 Tequila, we've got the Manning Margarita, the Who Dat Nation Lemonade, and the Sun Life Stadium Sunrise. (Too bad. I would have liked to see what they'd have come up with had it stayed "Land Shark" Stadium for another month.)

Rooting for the Colts to give Manning another ring? Mix up a Blue Stampede from Tequila Herradura. Multiply the recipe by 8 for a perfect punch to use for the Manning drinking game. Every time one of Peyton's commercials or Eli's blank stare are shown... or either is referred to as "One of Archie's Boys," take a drink. Guaranteed you'll be passed out by halftime.

If you're cheering on the black and gold to bring the Lombardi Trophy to the Big Easy, celebrate with a Who Dat? Hurricane from Southern Comfort. And you can send fellow Saints fans a clip of the "Black & Gold Who Dat?" anthem by going to SouthernComfort.com/neworleans. Which is much funnier the more Hurricanes you've consumed.

Manning Margarita
2 oz. 1800 Silver Tequila
1 oz. Grand Marnier
1 oz. fresh lime juice
Shake over ice or blend, garnish with a lime

Who Dat Nation Lemonade
2 oz 1800 Silver Tequila
1 oz Triple ...There's more

I know how much you love beer. Even old Ben Franklin said it was "living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

But just like your girlfriend constantly asks... I know you love it, but do you really appreciate it? Because it's more than just a social lubricant that allows you to dance in public and talk to women way out of your league. As fans of craft beers know, it's a complex creation that few have mastered, but many can enjoy.

So with that in mind, I'm teaming up with my shopkeeping partners, OpenSky, and giving away a Beer Tasting and Hops Appreciation Kit.

A must for any true beer lover, the kit contains everything you need to become a true beer snob... and learn how to truly taste beer, appreciate the complex flavors and aromas, host unique tasting parties for your beer swilling buddies, and regale enrapt crowds at cocktail parties with your in-depth knowledge of everything beer. Putting those insufferable wine snobs in their place. (Read the details of what's included in the kit here.)

To win the kit, all you need to do is enter your email addy here. (When you get to the page, remember to give me some props and enter "The Bachelor Guy" as your favorite shopkeeper.)

On Wednesday, Jan 20, OpenSky will pick one of you at random to score the kit, and put you on the path to earning your Beer Ph.D. Ten others will be picked to win a coupon allowing you to buy a $39 kit of your own for just $4.99. A beer lover's bargain.

And as a bonus, OpenSky will give everyone who enters a coupon for 15% off, good at ANY OpenSky shop... even though I know you'll want to spend it at mine.

This is one of those rare contests where everyone wins. (Like a bikini contest. Seriously, does anyone really lose at a bikini contest?) So enter now.

About a year and a half ago, I posted on a couple of single malts from Suntory out of Japan. (Read it here.) The surprising thing was not just that Japan was entering the traditionally western realm of high-level single malts, but that they were kicking ass doing it.

Even hardcore single malt fans became believers. When I broke out the sample bottle they gave me to try during a barbecue so my buddies could give it a quick taste and, while I was manning the grill, they drained the whole bottle. In 15 minutes. (True, I can't leave my boys around an open bottle of anything, but still...)

And the master distillers over at Suntory are at it again. They've introduced a limited edition Yamazaki 1984, a single malt commemorating 25 years of premium whisky making. Only 300 individually-numbered bottles of this precious liquid originally distilled in 1984 were released in the US. Aged in Japanese mizunara casks (as well as Spanish and American casks), it's got ...There's more

If he hadn't "left the building," Elvis Presley would be 75 years-old today. And celebrating in Vegas in a sequined jumpsuit surrounded by a half dozen bikinied hotties a third of his age. In the Jungle Room.

In honor of his would-be 75th, Three-O Vodka has put together a few cocktail recipes that you can use to toast the birth of The King. Any of which go great with a peanut butter and 'nana sandwich, some sweet potatoes, and whole mess of burnt bacon.

Thank ya. Thankyaverymuch.

Jailhouse on the Rocks
2 oz Three-O Mango Vodka
4 oz Iced Tea

Mix in a glass filled with ice and garnish with lemon wedge.

Blue Suede Shooters
1 1/2 oz Three-O Cherry Vodka
1/4 oz black raspberry liqueur ...There's more

[NOTE: This is the second of those it's-a-holiday-and-I'm-partying reposts]

There are two common methods for opening a bottle of champagne.

Method 1: Unscrew wire cage. Shake bottle vigorously. Allow cork to pop. Wait for spray to stop. Pour into mouth.

Perfect if you're in the winning World Series locker room. Not so much for a New Year's Eve party. For that you'll want to employ Method 2...

Here's what you do:
1 -Take the bottle out of the refrigerator or ice bucket.

2 - Using a towel, wipe the excess moisture from the bottle. (You want to be able to get a good grip on it.)

3 - Drape the towel over the neck of the bottle, and loosely wrap, covering the cork. (This keeps the cork from knocking a guest unconscious should it get away from you.)

4 - Holding your thumb over the cork, unscrew the wire cage and remove. (Useless trivia: Almost all wire cages are secured with 6 half twists.)

5 - Holding the cork in place, get a firm grip on the bottom of the bottle. Twist the bottle, NOT THE CORK, until you feel the cork start to release.

6 - The cork should come out with a soft whoosh, not a loud pop. A loud pop means you've let too much air escape. And that's bad. You want to preserve as many bubbles as possible. And women love a guy who can control his pop.

[NOTE: Since it's New Year's Eve and I am about to head out and get partying, I'm reposting a couple of classic pieces from a couple of years ago.]

New Year's Eve means champagne. And nothing loosens up a crowd (read: the ladies) faster than a little bubbly. Whether you'll be drinking it all night, or just for a private midnight toast for two, you'll need to know what, and how much, to get. And what to do once you get it.

Here are five things every guy should know about champagne:

1 - What is Champagne?
All champagne is sparkling wine. But not all sparkling wine is champagne. The difference? True champagne is produced in the Champagne region in northeastern France. If it's made in California from champagne grapes it cannot be called "champagne". It has to be called "sparkling wine."

When buying a sparkling wine look for the words "methode champenoise", meaning the wine has undergone a second fermentation in the bottle. This is what creates the bubbles. Lesser quality sparkling wines create bubbles by adding carbonation. Just like 7-Up. Enough said.

Most champagne is made as a "cuvee", meaning it's a blend of three kinds of grapes: two reds and a white, usually Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

If you see "Blanc de Blancs" on the label that means the champagne is made entirely of white grapes and will have a lighter, more elegant taste. "Blanc de Noirs" means it is a white wine made from red grapes, like Pinot Noir, making the wine more full bodied, and giving it a golden color. "Rose" is made by blending in a little red wine and gives the wine a pink color. (Don't equate this with cheap rose wines. Rose sparkling wines are not lesser in quality.)

2 - What Does "Brut" Mean?
The level of sugar in sparkling wine determines if it will be dry or sweet. "Brut" is very dry, and is considered the standard for fine champagne. The scale runs as follows:
Extra Brut (Too dry for most people)
Brut
Extra Dry (Which is not as dry as Brut, so keep that in mind)
Sec (this is where it begins to get sweet)
Demi-Sec (usually served with dessert and wedding cake)
Doux (could put you in a diabetic coma)

3 - How Much Should I Spend?
This is a matter of personal preference. Rappers sing the praises of Crystal, and wouldn't be caught by the paparazzi drinking anything less. But they can afford the $300+ price tag. You, being the ...There's more

You're gonna drink tomorrow night. To excess. Which means you are most likely going to wake up Jan 1 with a killer hangover. (Hence Jan 1's reputation as National Hangover Day.)

Generally there are three schools of thought when fighting a hangover:
1- Prep before you drink by hydrating and taking a product like The Hangover Cure. (Review here.)

2- Fight it with nutrients and medications after it hits you.

3- Take a little "Hair of the Dog" to ease the pain.

If you didn't plan ahead and guard yourself against the pounding hangover headache and other fun symptoms, my advice is go with option 2. And get some fluids and nutrients into your body ASAP.

Here's a recipe for a nutritional "cocktail" that'll flood your body with the stuff it needs to fight off the damage you did the night before. It calls for Acai Daily Cleanse that's got milk thistle (a natural protection against liver toxins), antioxidant green tea, healing aloe vera, and anti-inflammatory ginger. It's mixed with Green Envy Daily Detox with its blend of natural superfoods that aid in total cellular cleanse. (Not sure what that means, but it sounds healthy...)

Both drinks are available at major drug stores and big box retailers (like WalMart) nationwide, and here's how to mix up that detox cocktail:

AgroLabs Hangover Helper
1/2 oz Green Envy Daily Detox
1/2 oz Acai Daily Cleanse
Juice from 1/2 lime
4 Mint Leaves
Ginger Ale

Mix ingredients in a glass filled with ice, top with ginger ale and stir. Your body will thank you.

If you're not into the whole "heal thyself" thing, you can always opt for option 3 and go for a little "hair of the dog." Not my personal recommendation, but I can't blame those of you who decide to keep the party going.

And since the Bloody Mary has been the traditional go to hangover cure drink since your grandparents celebrated the dropping of a candle-lit ball in Times Square, here's a quick and easy three-step recipe from Three-O to keep your "vertical mixing time" to a minimum. Their ...There's more

Champagne has the honor and distinction of being reserved for toasting big occasions, like welcoming in a new year. While tequila has more of a "do shots until I can't stand" reputation.

But ultra-premium Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila wants to change all that. They've created a cocktail that blends their handcrafted, light and crisp tasting tequila with fine champagne, for a New Year's toast that'll ring in 2010 right. (At least what you'll remember of it.)

Champagne and tequila? It's gonna be a good year...

DIAMOND CELEBRATION
1 part Maestro Dobel Tequila
2 extra fine sugar cubes
1 squeeze of lemon wedge
3 parts fine champagne (chilled)

Build drink in a champagne flute.

For more, go to MaestroDobel.com

Usually playing second fiddle to vodka -- and sometimes third fiddle to tequila -- gin has been hard on the comeback trail. And its crisp, clean, juniper flavor makes it an ideal spirit to help get you in the holiday spirit.

From Bulldog Gin, a light-tasting, ultra-premium gin in one of my favorite badass bottles (love the spiked "dog collar"), come these holiday drinks designed to up the celebration ante. (Along with one designed to ease the "after celebration" hangover...)

For more, head over to www.BulldogGin.com

Hare of the Dog
Created by John Freeman
Best served the morning after this year’s company party.

3 oz. Bulldog Gin
8 Pieces, diced lemongrass
1 oz. Organic carrot juice
1/2 oz. Wildflower honey water
1 Packet brown Sugar in the Raw
Fanned fresh lemongrass

Dry muddle lemongrass. Combine other ingredients. Shake, double strain, and serve up in a champagne glass. Add garnish.

Hey Bulldog!
Created by Michael Waterhouse
The answer for a last-minute holiday cocktail party.

2 oz. Bulldog Gin
1 oz. Chambord
1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
7 Up

Combine all ...There's more

It just isn't the holidays without rum. Hot buttered rum to bring the feeling back after shoveling the driveway. Mom serving rum balls and rum cake for dessert. And a couple of stiff rum drinks to take the edge off after a week of dealing with shopping at the malls.

Here are a couple of unique holiday rum cocktails created by some well known mixologists for Ron Zacapa, one of the only rums to come from Guatemala. (Yup. Guatemala.) Add them to your wish list.

Mistletoe Tipple
By Ross Crowley - Avoce, New York, NY

1 ounce Zacapa Rum
1 ounce elderflower liqueur
1 ounce sparkling wine
1 ounce fresh lime juice
Dash of bitters

Combine Zacapa Rum, elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, lime juice, and a dash of bitters to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a champagne glass.

Cinnamon Spice
By Brian Miller - Death & Company, New York, NY

1 1/2 ounces Zacapa Rum 23
3/4 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce cinnamon bark
Sugar and cinnamon for Rim

In a cocktail shaker, combine Zacapa Rum 23, lime juice, and cinnamon bark.
Rim martini glass with sugar. Shake and strain into rimmed martini glass.

For more, head over to www.ronesdeguatemala.com