Give the Gift With a Kick This Year: Booze

It's the most wonderful time of the year... And although the weather outside may be frightful, some fancy liqueurs and spirits may be just what you need to stay warm. We have some great recommendations for the holidays -- whether you need a unique gift for friends or family, or would like to enjoy a cocktail in front of the fire.

Jerald O'Kennard of the Beverage Testing Institute and Tastings.com, says Macallan Amber Liqueur is one drink you should not be without this holiday season. "The liqueur is a nut liqueur -- with walnut flavor, maple flavor and the base of it is Macallan scotch whiskey. It's made by the Macallan scotch distillery, which is a great single-malt distillery -- although this is a blended scotch. Really rich, long-lasting flavor, it's just really delicious," he says.

The Best Liquor for Gift-Giving

Perhaps the most notable characteristic of the Amber Liqueur is the overwhelming scent of maple syrup that wafts from the bottle. The Scotch Blog says the maple flavor is so strong that "it will take a little skill to come up with a nice cocktail that isn't dominated by the maple, but once you figure out the balances, you'll have a staple ingredient in your bar."

"But it doesn't stop at cocktails," The Scotch Blog says. "Amber could certainly bring the average cup of latte up to a new level. I could also see this being added to a number of foods -- pour Amber on your pancakes and transform them into a gourmet breakfast. Or as a dessert -- over pears or good vanilla ice cream."