Turkey is ubiquitous this time of year, but the sides are a free-for-all from family to family and region to region. Similarly, when it comes to beverage choices, anything goes. We’ve thrown caution to the wind with three picks certain to liven up your glass this holiday season no matter what you serve.

Ten to One White Rum
($30, Winebow)

Rum is not the most fashionable spirit at the moment, and we hope that changes because it is versatile. Dark rums are rich and satisfying cool weather sippers. Rhum Agricole, made from raw cane as opposed to molasses, ranks right up there with fine bourbon or Scotch for late-night contemplation. And white rum, once you get past the flavored ones and the pirates and parrots and such, is an unsung utility hero. A good white rum is lovely to drink neat—or even as a shot for the harried chef. It’s also a killer cocktail base and isn’t just for summer. This example is all grown up, with notes of sweetgrass, melon, and white flowers. Serve on the rocks or get cracking on your favorite rum cocktail as a pre-turkey aperitif.

RAR Lite Lager
($8.50 6-pack, Legends)

Why lie? The meal is going to be huge and you’re going to have three desserts. You’ll want a beer that is less filling but not any of those brewery offerings that fall under the “Lite” moniker. RAR Brewing in Cambridge is here to help, offering a Lite beer with a mildly hoppy finish familiar to anyone who has ever raised a red and white—or white and blue—can of American lager. It comes in at a modest 4.5 percent ABV, so feel free to grab a six pack to settle in between you and grandpa in the TV room.

Harney Lane Old Vine Zinfandel “Lizzy James Vineyard” 2018
($40, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Usually, we recommend a decent Riesling or softer red like Beaujolais for Thanksgiving—both wines play well with a lot of different flavors without overpowering anything. But we remember in decades past when Zinfandel, the uniquely American variety, was the way to go. With its high alcohol count, juicy and lush body, and brambly, smoky finish, it didn’t make a ton of sense—and eventually fell out of favor. But we think it’s time to bring it back, if for no other reason than it’s really delicious. This example from boutique producer Harney Lane is classic Zin, with an inky color, full-bodied texture, and that classic blackberry bramble finish.

Packed with holidays festivities and weighed down with nostalgia and sentiment, December is a month like no other. There are dinners to host, parties to attend, and resolutions to weigh. It can be a wee bit exhausting to keep track of what you need to have on hand, so we’ve taken the guesswork out of it and assembled three potable selections that you can keep at the ready in case you need backup for dinner, a host gift for a party, or simply something to treat yourself at the end of a busy day.

Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhône “Les Champauvins” 2019
($25, Kysela Pere et Fils)

The Southern Rhône region offers some of the world’s most coveted wines, typically dominated by the Grenache grape. Fans of prestigious bottlings from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Vacqueyras have watched with dejection as prices have risen in lock step with popularity. Wines that were once treats are now splurges. And while $25 isn’t exactly cheap, this Grenache-based beauty offers the spirit of those wines at a third the price. Ripe cherries, ground peppers, and a hint of cedar are hallmarks of a great Rhône wine, and this example clearly delivers.

Fun fact: “Les Champauvins” represents a murky category of French wines governed by the relationship between quality and place. The more site-specific the wine, the higher the quality. A “lieu dit” wine is recognized as special, but doesn’t enjoy recognition under French law. That said, this wine is a great value.

DC Brau Full Transparency Orange Crush Hard Seltzer
($20 12-pack cans, Legends)

All right, we get it. They’re easy to drink, and inoffensive, and if you’d rather not ruin your workout by having a drink, a low-calorie hard seltzer is here for you. We also understand that if you are going to throw a party, there is a good chance that someone is going to be looking for hard seltzer. Skip the big national brands and claw your way to a local alternative. DC Brau’s Orange Crush is refreshing and will surely please anyone looking for one of these spirited beverages.

Brovo London Dry Gin 1 Liter
($20, Winebow)

Trust us, you’re going to need a bigger bottle. Whether you’re slinging Negronis for a party or mixing yourself a soothing G&T during a moment of solitude, this is the month to consider a slightly larger format. Washington State-based Brovo Spirits has crafted a no-nonsense London Dry gin here, with plenty of honest juniper character without a lot of complicated aromatics to lead it astray from the path of classical old-school gin. The packaging isn’t fancy, but neither is the price, and that makes it a perfect addition to your December liquor lineup.