After the CDC's announcement last week that one in six Americans "binge drink" on a regular basis, you might be reassessing your relationship with cocktails. Not a bad idea. Besides being addictive, alcohol in excess is undeniably bad for your body. Unfortunately, there's an entire industry to come up with fun alcohol-centric drinks, and "virgin" cocktails can seem a bit... dry. It's time to experiment with beverage combinations that are party-friendly and booze-free. You'll come up with plenty of fun combinations on your own -- here are a few ideas to get you started.

If you're a fan of kombucha, you'll love this fizzy, refreshing ginger beer made with kefir grains. Kefir is a mix of bacteria and yeasts that naturally takes the form of white "grains." You can buy kefir grains online or look for them at your local health food store. Once you've got them in hand, it's easy to brew up a probiotic, soda-like drink that supplements your body's natural population of disease-fighting bacteria, improves your immune system and may even fight pain. Generations of Turkish shepherds swear by it, but the traditional kefir recipe is more like a thin, sour yogurt. While that's delicious too, this "water kefir" drink is light, bubbly and refreshingly quaffable.

Step up your hostess-ability by welcoming your house guests with infused water, just like they serve at froufrou spas and hotels. The ingredients couldn’t be simpler: Whole spices, fresh fruit and pure water. The results couldn’t be more sophisticated and refreshing. Try it for yourself!

There's something fascinating about the idea of a home-infused walnut cognac. Perhaps it's the combination of staid elegance and homegrown flavor. Maybe it's imagining an 18th-century monk undertaking the same process. It could just be the anticipation of a new combination of tastes. Whatever the cause, the thought of infusing your own walnut liqueur is fascinating. And although brandy and cognac are the best-known walnut lovers, don't overlook the possibilities of vodka. I've included a traditional Croation recipe below -- but let's begin with the brandy.

Persimmon season is largely past, but if you're lucky enough to have a few still on hand -- or clever enough to have dried some -- use them to brew up a traditional Korean fruit punch. Sujeonggwa is quite sweet with a kick of cinnamon and ginger, and is usually served with a garnish of pine nuts. In Korea, you'll see it most often at holidays and weddings. Try it for your New Year's Eve party, served hot or cold, for a delicious alternative to fatty desserts and boozy cocktails. Make a big batch: Sujeonggwa takes a while to prepare, and then goes fast.

Cheers! Along with the New Year, why not try a new Champagne cocktail? Champagne is a symbol of celebration all over the world, and Champagne cocktails always add a festive touch to any event. Save the mimosas for breakfast and serve one of these new Champagne cocktails at your next party as your signature drink.

Let's face it: Most popular cocktails are tooth-rottingly sweet. Loaded with juice and sugary liqueurs, the average "girly drink" piques the palate about as much as a stick of gum. Want to cut the sugar and improve your cocktail? Try incorporating bitters.

If you're still looking for New Year's resolutions, allow me to suggest one: In 2012, drink only organic wine. In the past this may have been a challenge, but new and delicious organics are easier to find every day. And what better way to kick off a new year of health, wealth and joy, than with a glass of organic champagne?

The organic wave has taken longer to crash on the Gallic coast than one might think, especially from the point of view of someone from a country where pretty much everything, from milk to produce to clothes, is available in an organic and all-natural version. But the French, for all their love of tradition, are slowly coming around, and the jury is out on organic French wines.

Gift-giving. Menu-planning. Traveling. And, of course, spending time with family: Actions associated with the December holiday season. As a result, "drinking" is often associated with it, as well.

We've already covered a plethora of organic wine and beer selections to keep you calm and comfy through your times of cheer. But, if your celebration lasts as long as twelve days or eight nights, you'll be itching to mix it up. Luckily, we've come across a new legion of organic beverages: hard cider. Below are five - count 'em - five types of organic hard ciders to accompany whatever merriment comes your way this season.

To your health!