The holiday season is always full of cheer ” maybe because everyone gets blitzed. Whether you need alcohol to put the “happy” in “holidays” or simply to survive your family, you might as well drink in style. Here is a list of delicious winter/holiday punches, cocktails and shots guaranteed to make your cheeks rosy.

The Poinsettia Cocktail
? cup vodka
? cup champagne
? cup cranberry juice
Crushed ice
2 strips orange zest, each about ? inch wide and 2 inches long

Combine the vodka, champagne and juice in a large stemmed red-wine glass. Add crushed ice and stir until well-chilled. Twist the orange strips over the glass, drop them in and serve. Makes one cocktail. (Note: this can be turned into a punch. Just increase the ingredients appropriately.)

Peppermint Garland
2 ? oz. vodka
? oz. peppermint schnapps
? oz. white creame de cocoa
2 Junior Mints

Pour vodka, schnapps and creame de cocoa in a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with two Junior Mints on a cocktail stick.

Hard Hot Chocolate
Make hot chocolate. Fill mug ? full. Add 2 oz. peppermint or vanilla schnapps. Garnish with peppermint stick and dollop of whipped cream.

Apple Pie Shot
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. apple cider
1 tablespoon whipped cream
A pinch of ground cinnamon

Combine vodka and apple cider into a 2 oz. shot glass; add whipped cream and cinnamon on top.

Gingersnap
? oz. spiced rum
? oz. ginger-flavored brandy
4 oz. eggnog
1 ginger snap

Mix ingredients in a blender.

Champagne Punch
Combine two 12 oz. cans of pineapple juice, one thawed 6 oz. can of orange juice concentrate, one thawed 6 oz. can of frozen lemonade concentrate and 4 cups of water.

Chill thoroughly. Just before serving, transfer to punch bowl and carefully pour two bottles of chilled champagne down the side of the bowl. Stir gently. Trim with orange slices. Makes 40 deadly 4 oz. servings.