Flavor-filled New Year's Eve

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- This New Year's Eve you may be asked "What's your flavor?" instead of "What will you have?" Flavored alcoholic beverages seem to be providing some with their desserts; both their beverage of choice and the 'icing on the cake,' so to speak.

"Flavored alcohol has become quite a trend this year, and it's trending up," according to John Howard, Spec's manager at the I-45N and Rayford Road location. "Citrus flavors and berry flavors have been around for some time, but sweet flavors added to vodka and bourbon are all the rage."

Name what you like to eat, and it's probably been bottled - bacon, bubble gum, caramel, cotton candy, cookie dough, peanut butter, pumpkin spice, wedding cake, wasabi, whipped cream, and the most popular of course, being chocolate. Not surprisingly, those who prefer these sweet 'spirits' and those who don't, are divided along gender lines.

"The exotic flavors are definitely being marketed to women; it appears they have more of a sweet tooth than men," said James Barlow, Spec's wine manager. "The men who come in and buy them are usually buying them for their significant other," he added. "Likewise, the popularity of sweet wines is definitely up. Moscato, a sweet after-dinner dessert wine in Italy, is swilled all day long here in the United States."

Both Spec's managers agreed that many of our forefathers, who developed moonshine, would probably roll over in their graves if they saw some of the concoctions being produced by renowned distilleries. Even 'manly' brands like Crown Royal are jumping on the bandwagon. The newest addition to the Canadian whisky family is fittingly Crown Royal Maple.

"It smells just like IHOP when you open the bottle," said Barlow, "Just like a bottle of maple syrup."

Neither Howard or Barlow foresee a reversal in this trend any time soon.

"Most of the flavors are used to make creative desserts," said Howard. "You can make root beer floats or dreamsicles with alcoholic beverages, and they taste the same."

No matter how tasty, as with straight alcoholic beverages, the more you partake, the higher the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in the body. The BAC is used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal and medical purposes, and all county public safety agencies have stated that they will be out in force to measure blood alcohol levels this New Year's weekend, which officially starts Friday evening, December 28. Numerous public service announcements and ad campaigns have warned against drinking and driving, recommending the use of shuttle and cab services, as promoted by the Montgomery County Bar Owners Association. (See link provided.)

"They've been duly warned," said Lt. Dan Norris, spokesman for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

To be on the safe side, the safest way to savor your flavor is in the comfort of your own home.

Still not sure what to do on New Year's Eve or how to entertain your guests. Check out our comprehensive New Year's Eve Guide.