Getting Into the Spirits

When your house fills up, your glass may need to as well. Brooklyn is brewing with places to pick up your wine, beer, champagne, liquor, or any mixing materials you and yours need to grease the meal wheels. If you're the one making the booze run this season, here's where to go:

, at 651 Vanderbilt Avenue, is one of your best bets for wine. If you're planning ahead and not sure what kind you or your relatives might like, they offer weekly wine tastings to expand and educate your palate. And at these tastings, every bottle is ten percent off. They have a massive selection of organic wines, as well as staff picks, to help you decide among the endless aisles.

For the slightly less-prepared, , at 595 Vanderbilt Avenue is a true one-stop-shop. In addition to wines from around the world, they sell glasses, fine stemware, corkscrews, and other wine accessories, in case you need the right tools or need a quick gift.

For the heavy hitters who need a quick batch of shots or mixed drinks, Gary's Wine and Liquor at 234 Flatbush Avenue is a quick and easy place to pick up all your hard liquor requirements. Swing by for the kickin' ingredients for punch, eggnog, or aperitifs.

Prospect Heights is home to the best stop on any alcohol run, , at 648 Washington Avenue. The famed megastore is home to literally hundreds of types of beer. From cans of Coors Light to fine bottles of Peak Organic Espresso Amber, this place is an unparalleled resource for stocking your holiday meals and parties.

Brooklyn Beer and Soda has 16 rotating kinds of draft beers and growlers, to bottle them up and take home. Throwing a rager or just have big uncles? They sell all kinds of kegs. Their website is very up-to-date with their current and complete selection so you'll never be let down at the store. Check in before you head over.

If you don't know how to make a pie but you are a mix-master, show off your skills by making a creative punch, eggnog, or round of cocktails. For all the non-alcoholic accoutrements, head to DNY Natural Land on 322 Flatbush Avenue for eggs, sugar, juice, fruit, or anything else you'd toss in or garnish a glass with.

Here is a my personal eggnog recipe, perfect for Thanksgiving weekend as much as Christmas. It's a warm, cozy, delicious addition to any big meal.

Ingredients:

6 egg whites

1 cup sugar

6 egg yolks

1 pint heavy whipping cream

½ pint whole milk (or substitute heavy whipping cream again if you prefer)

1 and ½ cups brandy

Method

Separate six eggs. 

Beat egg whites until stiff.  Gradually beat in sugar.  Set aside. 

Beat egg yolks until thick and set aside. 

Whip cream (and milk if using) in large bowl. 

Fold in beaten egg whites, egg yolks and liquor.