When Mr. Clicquot died in 1805, he left the champagne to his widow – or “veuve” in Fench. Mrs. Clicquot was quite the businesswoman and she grew the company by leaps and bounds. Today Veuve Clicquot has a royal warrant for Queen Elizabeth II, and was even Claude Rains’ celebratory drink in Casablanca. While other blogs are promoting the Limited Edition, the Traveler, and the Vertical Limit – we think they are overpriced and overplayed. Stick to the classics – and keep an extra in your fridge for moments that deserve it. A great bottle of bubbly for around $40. BUY

A little recipe for our readers. Grab one Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Tray ($10 for 2), fill with hot water (prevents bubbles from forming in the ice, ensuring crystal clear results) and set in freezer (this step is optional of course). Get your hands on a Baccarat Alpha Tumbler ($90 for 2) and one bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label ($190). Combine, and enjoy one of the finest legal pleasures available for under $300.

The green fairies return this year, with the U.S. lifting its 96 year ban on the drink credited with driving Van Gogh a bit mad, as well as Toulouse Lautrec. Careful abroad, laws in Canada prohibit shipping it, and France doesn’t allow sales of anything called Absinthe. Grab a bottle of Kubler, prepare with a sugar cube and some ice-cold water to bring out the flavors and activate the essences. $54.