The festivities for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration will begin over the weekend and one of the highlights are the myriad of inaugural balls in Washington. On Tuesday the Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and guests will be treated to two outstanding new cocktails created by Bridget Albert. Even though the event is already sold out you can still enjoy these drinks where ever you may be celebrating the historic event.

The more impressive drink of Albert's inaugural libations is clearly the American Dream. This delightful mix of pomegranate and black cherry is garnished with candy stars pasted to the inside of the glass for a stunning red, white and blue drink. The other drink, the Air Force One, is very simple and spectacular in its own right. It is a quick, tall drink of Hpnotiq, citrus vodka and lemon-lime soda and even beyond the inauguration, it is delightfully refreshing.

More cocktails from the elections this past year:

• Bi-partisan Cocktails
• Democratic Cocktails
• Republican Cocktails

More often than not, the weather dictates our moods and I suppose the raging blizzard and frigid cold outside has had some influence on this week's Timeless Tipple. For those of you in the north with those temps falling well below zero this week, the Snow Ball is just what the doctor ordered to warm you up for a minute at least.

The Snow Ball dates back to somewhere right before the turn of the 20th century and is an easy mix of brandy and ginger ale with a little egg and syrup added. It's actually quite a delight and, except for the citrus, is like a dark Gin Fizz or an eggy version of the brandied Horse's Neck. I can see this drink being a favorite in the north woods, although it is a little taller than Wisconsin's proclivity for putting brandy in an old-fashioned (tried a few and still have to go with bourbon). At any rate, the Snow Ball is very nice and one to try out.

What are you doing this Sunday? If your near Sunset Boulevard you'll want to stop into Bar Keeper. They are hosting a book signing event for Natalie Bovis-Nelsen's (The Liquid Muse) new book, Preggatinis from 6-8 on the 18th (Facebook link). It sounds like a blast and will be filled with "Preggatinis", "de-virginized drinks" and Natalie signing away on copies of her cute book. This would be a great opportunity for the non-drinker to experience the possibilities of great drinks without the booze and, for women who are pregnant (or planning to be) the book is a must-have (guys, gift idea!).

To give you just a small taste of the fantastic concoctions inside Preggatinis™, Natalie has allowed me to share a few of her recipes. I have been engrossed in trying out the delicious mocktails since I received my copy and I've narrowed it down to my favorite four - you'll have to get the book for more.

• Apricot Gingerini
• Coconut Key Lime Momtini
• Flossy Aussie
• Preggie Provençe

How many cocktail shakers do you own? I've been trying to count my own collection and have determined that there is something like 20 hanging around. They range from classic Boston shakers, a bullet shaker, a full set of Quick Strain Tins, a Metrokane Flip-top, and a myriad of collectible and promotional shakers ranging in all sizes and colors, insulated and not. However, there are only a few that are put to use regularly and the one that I take everywhere is the first Rosle Boston shaker that I ever bought, which certainly shows its years of making Martinis and Gin Fizzes but is still always there when I need it.

The love of cocktail shakers is one of those defining sentences in the poignant question that's all over the web: "You know you're a cocktail geek if..." But there's nothing wrong with that because the shaker is one of those bar tools that is not only essential, but has the potential to be a lot of fun and can come in almost any style, shape, color and size you could think of. For collectors of shakers that new find is like Christmas morning and I learned this week that Stephen Visakay is hosting the Vintage Bar Ware Collectors Symposium during Tales of the Cocktail again this year (July 8-12). From what I've heard this is the ultimate collection and if there was ever a time to check out shakers of every kind this event is it.

What is your favorite shaker? And do you prefer a Boston or a 3-piece shaker?