A dozen boozy bottles for the 12 days before and after Christmas

With the holiday season quickly coming to a close and new year’s celebrations on the horizon, you might need some tasty gift options that are quick, easy and will hit the spot.

Happily, a last-minute bottle of booze fits the bill. Here are a dozen spirited specialty gift options, in honor of the 12 days of Christmas, that are affordable, just a little bit different and are sure to impress the person on your list. These can all be found in most local liquor stores alongside all the usual suspects — which, of course, are also viable options depending on whom you are gifting.

1. Absolut Electrik, $19.99

You’ve had Absolut Vodka, but it’s the limited edition electric blue and silver “Electrik” bottles released for the holiday season that make this worth seeking out. They are bold, festive and priced right, and it’s hard to go wrong with a basic vodka under $20 for a gift.

2. Belle of Dayton Vodka, $24.95

For a great local vodka buy, grab a bottle of Belle of Dayton. It’s a smooth, crisp, refreshing option that comes with a great story. Buy it and add a tour and tasting at the distillery in the Oregon District for an impressive holiday bonus gift.

3. Watershed Distillary Bourbon Barrel Gin, $39.99; Watershed Four Peel Gin, $29.99

Columbus’ Watershed Distillery has married together two wonderful flavors together — gin and bourbon. Their Four Peel Gin that Foodista called, “a serious contender for the best Gin in America,” is placed in old bourbon barrels to age and the botanical and juniper notes take on some of the bourbon flavors that you would expect.

4. OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka, $29.99; OYO Stone Fruit Vodka, $29.99

Another terrific Columbus distillery is OYO. Although it comes in regular, when you can get something as savory and delicious as the Honey Vanilla Bean and as sparkling and fresh as the Stone Fruit, it’s worth trying out.

5. Hpnotiq Sparkle Liqueur, $26.99

This bright blue concoction is a blend of fruit juices, white wine, vodka and cognac. It looks like a party in a bottle and would make a great hostess gift or New Year’s Eve cocktail inspiration.

6. Knob Creek Smoked Maple, $34.99

Smoked, maple, small batch bourbon? Seriously, who wouldn’t want this?

7. The Pimm’s No. 1 Liqueur, $17.99

In 1823, James Pimm created what we now know today as Pimm’s, blending gin with fruit juices and spices and distilling it from copper stills. Although very popular in England, it’s still not completely caught on here in the states. Buy a bottle of Pimm’s and you’re almost sure to impress — it’s classy and classic.

8. St. Germain Liqueur, $37.99

This is one of the most gorgeous bottles you will find on any bar. It’s a terrific cocktail mixer that continues to find popularity at with bartenders across the country. Gift this with a bottle of Champagne for the win.

9. Monkey Shoulder Whiskey, $29.99

Scotch isn’t for everyone, but this mid-priced blended is a good start. It’s a mix of three different Single Malts — Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie — and is a great choice to mix in cocktails. The playful monkey motif is a nice bonus.

10. Vincent Van Gogh Double Espresso, $19.99

The bottle itself is a great conversation piece. This is a caffeinated double-espresso vodka that tastes like a boozy cold coffee and is a great addition in certain savory mixed drinks. A perfect gift for coffee lovers.

11. Brown Jug Bourbon Cream ($19.99); Evan Williams Egg Nog ($7.99)

A bottle of a bourbon cream (we picked Brown Jug, but any of them would work) or spiked egg nog are rich, savory options to give this season. The flavors are perfect to greet cold weather with and it’s a gift that will have them thinking you spent some time thinking about a good gift.

12. Green Chartreuse liqueur ($59.99)

We went over budget on this one, but Green Chartreuse liqueur is just making it’s way to liquor stores in Ohio and that’s worth celebrating!

If you’re scratching your head thinking what is Chartreuse, here’s a quick Wikipedia summary: “(It) is a French liqueur made by the Carthusian Monks since 1737 according to the instructions set out in a manuscript given to them by François Annibal d’Estrées in 1605. It is composed of distilled alcohol aged with 130 herbs, plants and flowers. The liqueur is named after the Monks’ Grande Chartreusemonastery, located in the Chartreuse Mountains in the general region of Grenoble in France.”

This is a gift option for the home bartender who has everything.

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