Nochebuena is not the American Christmas. Dinner is the night of the 24th, it runs past midnight, and there are three generations in the same house at once. That, not the budget, is what decides the shopping list.
There are three tables and most people shop for one
There are the ones drinking beer all night. There are the ones on sweet wine in a glass, who'll still be going at dessert. And there are the grandparents and whoever isn't drinking, who need something other than soda in their hand for the toast. Buy for the first group only and two of the three tables stand there watching.
The beer runs out first. Always
Three per adult for the whole night, and buy twelve-packs rather than sixes: cheaper per bottle and less left over. Two different brands, not one, because there is always somebody who won't drink the one you bought.
Sweet wine lasts the whole dinner
It's the bottle that gets opened early and is still open at dessert. The 1.5 litre pours ten glasses and costs less than two small bottles. Properly cold, which means two hours in the fridge.
Whisky and brandy come out after the plates go
When everyone settles in to talk. Buchanan's 12 is the one poured without asking. Brandy is the other answer, and in a lot of Mexican houses it's the first one - Presidente over ice, or with cola, which is how it's genuinely drunk.
The toast, and the last drink
At midnight something with bubbles gets opened and everybody stands up. A brut cava costs a third of champagne and is made by the same method. And at the end, when nobody wants more food but nobody wants to leave, cold rompope in a small glass.
Beverage World Package Store
6731 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Doraville, GA 30360. (770) 441-0001. Open 10am to 9pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 11pm Thursday to Saturday, and 11am to 9pm Sunday. Delivery from $4.99.
On our shelf right now
Prices and stock read from our own inventory when this page was built.