Cheers to Bubbly

Just because it's New Year's it doesn't mean it has to be champagne. Spirits expert John Henry showcases bubbly beverages for 2010 at different price ranges and tastes. From sparkling wines to non-alcoholic varieties, he'll tell you what to serve when ringing in the New Year.

Hangover Help From WebMD

FACT: Use caution when enjoying those free drinks on Ladies' Night. Given the same drinks, women are more likely to be slammed with the effects of alcohol than men. Scientists say there's good reason for this. Men have a higher percentage of water in their bodies, which helps dilute the alcohol they consume. When women drink the same amount, more alcohol builds up in the bloodstream.

FACT: Red wine contains tannins, compounds that are known to trigger headaches in some people. Malt liquors, like whisky, also tend to produce more severe hangovers. If you're worried about how you'll feel in the morning, the gentlest choices are beer and clear liquors, such as vodka and gin.

MYTH: Liquor Before Beer, Never Fear

FACT: It's the amount of alcohol you consume - not the order of your drinks - that matters. That said, the order of your drinks may affect how much you consume. If you have a cosmopolitan, and then switch to beer for the rest of the night, you slow down your intake of alcohol. If you switch from beer to shots, you accelerate your path to drunkenness. Of course, too much liquor can spell "sicker" regardless of whether you began with beer.

One bedtime tip that does help - drink water to fight dehydration.

MYTH: Pop Pain Pills Before Bed

FACT: Over-the-counter painkillers peak in about four hours, so the effect of a bedtime dose will be gone by morning. A better plan is to take the pills when you first wake up. Avoid taking acetaminophen after a night of drinking. Alcohol disrupts how the liver processes acetaminophen, possibly leading to liver inflammation and permanent damage.

MYTH: Coffee is the Cure

FACT: Coffee leads to more dehydration and could make your hangover worse. After a night of drunkenness, it's best to avoid anything with caffeine. Instead, sip water and sports drinks to counter dehydration and replace lost electrolytes. This is especially important if you experienced any vomiting.

Sleep: Sleep is the best cure for a hangover, but for many people this is a luxury. Who has time to sleep when you have to work the next day or, worse, have to clean up from the party and get the smell of human urine out of the sofa?