DrinkedIn Trends

May all acquaintances bring good times…

You know what we mean. New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest nights of the year. Everyone’s looking to report the great time they had that next day. So if you’re hosting a party, you’re a brave soul. You’ve promised a bunch of people you’re taking responsibility for the year’s biggest party night. The task needn’t be intimidating. With a well implemented plan and help from an online party supplier like Shindigs, you’ll provide a night of fun, drink, and song. Here are five tips for throwing one great New Year's party!

Location, Location, Location

Where the party’s being thrown will have a huge impact on the festivities. If it’s outdoors, it can be affected by weather. If it’s a house party, you don’t want to create a nuisance for neighbors. Bars and clubs, restaurants, and amusement parks are great places but may come with restrictions. Determine beforehand how big a party you’re throwing and what you’re expecting out of it in terms of time. No matter the location that you choose, there are going to be certain positive and negative factors. This makes it important that you consider the people that will be coming and the sort of party that you want to throw so that you can invest in the perfect location.

Imbibing

It’s not a party unless you’re holding a drink, is it? There should be alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at your party so that everyone can be appeased. Of course, you’re going to need a supply of champagne. You can try something a little different like a champagne cocktail. With your drinks, make sure that you have a wide variety of different choices for all of your party guests. What might be a good idea is to hire a bar to come and provide drinks at your area, since this will provide you with a wide assortment of different drinks as well as a professional bar tender that can provide for all of your guests' needs.

Tunes

In a lot of ways, these parties come down to the tunes. Music is so objective and personal it can be a challenge deciding what to play. You want upbeat, danceable music. You may already know if the crowd leans toward hip hop or techno. Otherwise, try to have a little bit of everything. And while it might be cool to have a DJ, all you need is an iPod or computer to compile playlists that will be able to set the mood, along with a high quality sound system.

Be a Good Host

It’s your party and unfortunately that means spending more time ensuring everyone’s having a good time as opposed to having one yourself. Make sure the food’s replenished, that guests are engaging and no one’s feeling left out. While having a few drinks is fine, you will want to make sure that you stay sober enough to handle any situation that might present itself. Always try to give you guests what they need and you will help to create an evening that people will remember for the rest of their lives.

Everyone knows Austin is the place to be in Texas, or for that matter, in all the world, when it comes to having a good time. The undisputed live music capital of the world has so many great bars, clubs, honkytonks, and saloons, it's impossible to choose one, or a even a handful, that stand hat and moustache above the rest. Locals and visitors all agree that Austin not only has the greatest music, but the best food and drink in the Southwest, and some of the most mouth-watering concoctions you will ever find are served up in the bars. Get yourself a designated driver, saddle up and try a few of the signature drinks that make any weekend in the Longhorn City a time worth remembering.

Tobacco Mule at Frank

Known for inventive hot dogs, this palace of cased meat offers food specialties like the Jackalope or the Sonoran Dog. Enjoy these with a long, tall, cold beer. Then try a libation that is just made for the adventurous Texan:

This Texas-sized drink has a kick like a Tennessee mule. A devilish concoction of tobacco-infused Maker’s Mark, mixed vigorously with Maine Root ginger beer, Key Lime juice, spanked mint, and Angostura bitters, this smokin’ pot of spirits is served in a generous 12 ounce quilted Mason jar on the rocks. Sip slowly and do not inhale.

Siamese Caipirinha at Mettle

Mettle is new to the East Austin scene, but this bistro has some taste-bud tingling menu items that will please anyone who loves refined food served imaginatively with a large helping of international influence. The drink menu is no less impressive. Try this fusion drink:

A Pacific Rim inspired signature drink that may make you think of volcanoes and tiki gods, this potion is a secret mixture containing Thai chili and basil infused Cachaca, swizzled with some fresh lime. They could have called this drink Fire on Ice. Try it out if you like a good kick.

Weekends traditionally are a time for unbuttoning collars and relaxing, but what many people think of as harmless fun actually can be completely against the law. Because police officers operate with a broad range of leeway for enforcement against misdemeanors and other minor offenses, this has led to public confusion about when they can get off scot-free - and when they may need to get in contact with a lawyer. Feel free to continue reading if you're interested in a few obscure ways to land yourself a fee, or even a jail cell here in the US.

1. Drive-By Hunting

Most states, including such diverse ones as California and Tennessee, have laws against shooting animals while the shooter is in a moving vehicle. If you want to go hunting, step out of the car! There is one seemingly odd exception to this persistent rule: the whale, as a concession to the fishing industry.

2. Not-So-Exotic Pets

United States pet laws are a hodgepodge of contradictions that change whenever you go over a state line. While the inconsistencies in pet laws are too numerous to count, one common theme is that many seemingly harmless animals are deemed unfit to keep as pets by unlicensed owners. For example, if you live in California, a pet chipmunk is off the table. Limitations on quantity also can be found, such as Arkansas restricting rabbit owners to a maximum of half a dozen rabbits.

3. Light Shows Staged Too Late

Most people won't be shocked to learn that there are various restrictions placed on using fireworks, which, for all their festivity, still qualify as explosives. However, you may not be aware that different regions have different restrictions on WHEN to use them, as well as HOW. For example, the town of Devil's Lake, North Dakota doesn't abide by the use of fireworks past eleven PM, putting a damper on late night celebrations. In Provo, Utah, residents are only able to use fireworks for a few weeks during the year, with all other times being illegal.

4. Playing Out Famous Gambling Scenes

The gag of the penniless schmuck who's forced to give away his own clothes to get away from the poker table is a classic trope of cinema and television. Unfortunately, the real world doesn't always work out quite so hilariously. If you try this in New Hampshire, you're breaking the law. And yes, that even includes if you do it 'officially' by heading to the nearest pawnbroker's shop.

You've finally done it; you've finally revamped your yard and turned it into a little oasis. Instead of sipping the classic piña colada when lounging by the water, why not try something a little different? Any of the drinks listed below would be ideal when lying poolside or relaxing in the hot tub. Once you discover your perfect spa, you can discover the perfect cocktail to go along with it!

Blue Hawaii

A vibrant clear blue color reminiscent of the Caribbean waters, this drink is as pretty as it is tropical in flavor. Perfect after a swim.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. Curacao, blue
• 1 oz. Rum, light
• 1 splash Pineapple Juice
• 1 splash Sour Mix

Method: shaker

Glass: cocktail

The weather outside may be frightful but rest assured your holiday party will be an event to remember with these unique and easy-to-make cocktails.

Moscow Mule

• 1 shot vodka (mid-range quality)
•  1/2 shot Rose's lime juice

·         Top off with real ginger beer, the trick here is to use the old fashioned kind so your drink isn't overly sweet.

Serve with a lime wedge on the side over ice.

Erin's Espresso Martini

This little gem is fantastic to serve for dessert.
In a shaker filled with ice, pour the following:

• 1 shot espresso (or coffee if that's what you have on hand)
• 1 shot Amaretto
• 1 shot Vanilla vodka
• 1 shot Kahlua
• 1 shot Frangelico 

Shake until well chilled, serve up in your favorite martini glass.

The time for holiday parties has arrived, and with the party season comes the fun of selecting the perfect holiday drinks to delight and impress your guests. These drinks will be welcomed at a sophisticated soiree or a casual drop in affair. Many of these are kid friendly but can also be kicked up to adult level with a shot of your favorite spirits. These festive beverages are easy to set up in advance for guests to help themselves or hire a bartender to do all the work and allow you to shine as the host.

Peppermint Twist Cocktail

This delicious cocktail uses crème de menthe and vodka to create a light, refreshing holiday beverage. Add a splash of peppermint extract for a higher dose of flavor.

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

This simple cocktail is champagne with a splash of cranberry juice and a few frozen cranberries dropped in the bottom of the flute. It brings an elegant touch of Christmas to any party.

Spiced Wine

This tasty old world Christmas classic is served hot to enhance the aroma of the heady spices. Select a bottle of your favorite red wine slow cook with cinnamon, cloves, a quartered orange, brown sugar, slices of fresh ginger and brandy. 

Cherry Margarita

Tequila, cherry drink mix and cherry liqueur combine into a beautiful red cocktail. Add green sugar to the glass rim for extra holiday cheer.

According to the Center for Disease Control, around 80,000 people die every year from alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning occurs when an individual consumes multiple drinks within a short period of time. The body cannot metabolize the alcohol quickly. Blood levels rise, causing potentially lethal effects. Body mass and gender contribute to intoxication levels, which vary from one individual to the next. The amount of alcohol safely consumed by one person may prove toxic to another. 

Though the body absorbs alcohol rapidly, digesting and metabolizing alcohol requires an extended period of time. The liver requires at least one hour of time for metabolizing or processing the alcohol in an average drink. One average drink equals:

• 12 ounces of beer
• 5 ounces of wine
• 1.5 ounces of distilled alcohol rated as 80 proof 

The CDC advises that alcohol poisoning may occur after consuming four or five drinks rapidly. When the rate of alcohol consumption exceeds the liver’s processing ability, alcohol levels rise in the blood and affect the central nervous system, producing intoxication symptoms. Alcohol rich blood travels to the brain and inhibits nerves that control various vital functions that include breathing, gag reflex and heart rate along with level of consciousness. The initial symptoms of poisoning resemble intoxication. As the body absorbs more alcohol, symptoms progress, creating a life threatening condition. 

Confusion, slurred speech and lack of physical coordination progress to unconsciousness. Individuals in this state cannot regain consciousness and do not respond to external stimuli. As alcohol irritates the stomach, vomiting often occurs but being comatose, vomit blocks the air passage causing suffocation. Breathing slows to fewer than 10 respirations per minute. Body temperature declines along with heart rate. The combination of these deficits produce bluing around the lips and skin. Individuals may exhibit seizure activity. The steady decline of basic functions progresses to cardiac arrest. 

Forcing the individual into a cold shower or attempting to make them “walk off” intoxication does not reverse the symptoms or effects of alcohol poisoning. Allowing someone to “sleep off” the alcohol may end in that person’s death. Know the warning signs of alcohol poisoning and do not wait for the appearance of all of the symptoms before calling 911.