Andrew Knowlton's Guide to Holiday Drinking with Dignity

(Western music)

For better or for worse the holidays are all about excess.

Especially when it comes to alcohol.

So if you drink, you need a game plan.

I'm Andrew Knowlton, Restaurant and Drinks Editor

at Bon Appétit, and these are my Do's and Don'ts

of holiday drinking.

Do stick with one kind of booze on any given night.

Liquor, beer, wine, whatever!

The one exception, a shot and a beer.

Do take it easy at work parties. One, two drink maximum.

Keep business business.

Don't start the night with whiskey on the rocks.

Go with something lightish, a highball perhaps,

something low-alcohol.

My go-to party starter?

Campari and soda.

Do drink Champagne, capital C, whenever you get the chance,

especially the good stuff.

Also acceptable?

A champagne cocktail.

Don't dress like you're still in college.

Put on a suit, maybe a dress,

it's amazing how civilized, i.e. not getting wasted,

people will be when they look good.

Don't ever call somebody out for not drinking.

That's their choice.

Do drink the punch.

Just remember, it might be all pink and cute and bubbly,

but it's potent.

Proceed with caution.

Don't ever have more than one glass of spiked eggnog.

Trust me.

Do drink a glass of water between every single drink.

You'll thank me in the morning.