Warm weather calls for warming spirits

Now that the weather has warmed a bit, the evenings are perfect for cocktail parties. So, step out onto the deck, light the fire bowl for ambience--and possibly a little heat--enjoy the company of good friends and, of course, some enticing spirits. We found a bevy of new items that are sure to be a hit in any crowd.

Baileys Original Irish Cream has added two varieties to its immensely popular drink: Caramel and Mint Chocolate ($18.99/750 ml). The change is subtle. You'll still experience the luxurious blend of vanilla, chocolate, fresh cream, and Irish whiskey, with just a hint of the new flavor coming through. Act fast so you don't miss out on this limited time offer, Who would have thought that the world's number-one selling cream liqueur could get any better?

Another newcomer to the market is Jose Cuervo Black Medallion ($20.99/750 ml). This super-premium tequila offers a smooth, rich taste and is intended to be mixed with cola and a slice of lime or savored on the rocks. Cuervo Black is aged for a minimum of 12 months in new oak barrels that have been charred to bring a smoky flavor to the drink. The taste is more complex than other tequilas and is reminiscent of fine, aged whiskeys.

If the mention of tequila has you thinking about margaritas, don't miss the Authentic Cuervo Margarita Minis (four 200 ml bottles/$9.99). Just in time for beach and barbecue season, these ready-to-serve cocktails feature Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila and are great for tossing in the cooler to enjoy the perfect margarita anytime.

If vodka is more your style, Smirnoff, the world's leading premium vodka, has added the aromatic

Smirnoff Lime to its collection. Using the finest grains and triple distillation process, the result is a crisp taste with the pungent bite of lime juice. This versatile drink pairs well with cola or tonic water, and is equally delicious in cocktails such as a Cosmo or Bloody Mary. This 70-proof vodka is available for $14.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

In the highlands of Rio de Janeiro, sugar cane is harvested by hand, crushed within hours, and used to create Oronoco, the first super-premium white rum made with fresh cut Brazilian mountain cane. The smooth, crisp 80 proof rum ($34.99/750 ml), offers light hints of vanilla and tastes great on the rocks with a slice of lime or in any number of cocktails.

Baileys, Cuervo, Smirnoff, and Oronoco are all products of Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business. For more information about Diageo and its brands, visit www.diageo.com.

The launch of The Glenlivet Cellar Collection in 1999 introduced a series of rare, limited-edition releases of extraordinary single malt Scotch whisky. This year's selection, The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1972, is an extremely precious vatting of just 10 casks. Distilled on Aug. 24, 1972, and placed in hogshead casks, the lengthy period of rest has produced a rich fruitiness and wholly natural flavor. With 800 bottles available in the U.S.--each individually numbered and presented in an exquisite wooden box--this limited release is valued at approximately $700. The Glenlivet (www.glenlivet.com) is imported by the world's second largest spirits company, Pernod Ricard USA.

The first Asian vodka to hit the U.S. market is HAN ($19.99/750 ml), the only vodka infused with a polished rice spirit. Its unique distillation process preserves the natural amino acids that help drinkers metabolize alcohol better and recover faster. It's smooth enough to drink straight (HAN solo) and is a natural in any martini. For more information visit www.hanasianvodka.com.

Another interesting imported vodka comes from Holland. Effen--a Dutch term meaning smooth--is distilled at significantly lower temperatures than other vodkas, producing a smooth taste without a harsh bite on the palate. The first brand to combine hand-crafted, small-batch vodka with contemporary design aesthetics, Effen ($27.99/750 ml) is an ultra-premium spirit in a sleek functional bottle. For more information, visit www.effenvodka.com.

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