Sure champagne is the traditional drink to raise when toasting the New Year, but isn't one of your resolutions to shun the status quo and be your own man? Shake things up a bit in 2013? We saw your twitter dude, don't go back on it now.

Be adventurous this year and skip the bubbles in favor of these cocktails as the clock strikes midnight, and bask in the jealous stares of everyone who wishes they could trade their flute in for a rocks glass. Seriously, what guy wants to start a new year off holding a flute?

CARTE BLANCHE
Why it’s perfect for New Year’s:  This cocktail is named after the pursuit of power, so as you make your New Year’s resolutions to be more successful than ever in 2013, toast with this classy drink featuring the newly released Crown Royal Maple Finished Whisky.

1.25 oz Crown Royal Maple Whiskey
1/3 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1 dash Angostura Bitters
1 dash Orange Bitters

Stir & strain into a rocks glass.  Garnish with a flamed orange twist.

KENTUCKY COLONEL

Why it’s perfect for New Year’s: Ring in the New Year by embracing the birthplace of American Whiskey—Kentucky. That’s as good an excuse as any to raise a toast.

1.5 oz Bulleit Bourbon
.5 oz Benedictine
Lemon Twist

Shake both the ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

DICKEL GINGER SMASH
Why it’s perfect for New Year’s:  Everyone wants to kick off the New Year with a smash.

1.5 oz Dickel Rye
5 lime wedges
5 pieces of mint
3/4 oz simple syrup
1.5 oz ginger ale
2 Dashes of Angostura bitters

Muddle mint and lime into bottom of Collins glass.  stir & strain all other ingredients into a rocks glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon wedge.

CAPTAIN MORGAN BLACK AIRMAIL
Created by mixologist Toby Maloney (of Chicago’s The Violet Hour)
Why it’s perfect for New Year’s:  Great for working in a little Captain in to any champagne-serving event.

.75 oz. Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum
.5 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 oz. Orange Blossom Honey
Champagne

Shake Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum, lemon juice and honey. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with an orange pigtail twist.

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