New Year’s Eve is a night to celebrate and pull out your finest. Why not go all out with a fancier drink than usual? Need inspiration? Here are three amazing-looking cocktails to bring in the New Year – shown in order of easiest to hardest by way of preparation.
Night Flight
“When I saw this cocktail that included maple syrup, I knew my search was over. I’m a big fan of maple syrup in cocktails and this was perfect… I think you’re going to like it too.” via Eat Make Read
Ingredients:
1.5 oz rum
.5 oz maple syrup
juice from 1/2 lime
dash of bitters
slice of lime to garnish
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients, along with ice, in a cocktail shaker and give it a good shake. You’re looking to get some of that ice melted.
- After about 10-15 seconds, strain the liquid into a lowball glass and garnish with a slice of lime.
Pom-Cucumber Champagne Cocktail
“The grassiness of the cucumber is perfect with the sweet and tart flavor of the pomegranate.” via Tasty Trials
Ingredients:
½ Cup Cucumber Juice (from an English cucumber)
1 Cup Pomegranate Juice
1 Tbsp Superfine Sugar
1 Bottle of Champagne
Pomegranate arils and cucumber slices (optional)
Directions:
- Grate cucumber and push through a strainer to get the desired amount of juice
- Mix cucumber and pomegranate juice. Pour 3 tbsp into each champagne flute.
- Top with champagne
- Garnish with pomegranate arils and cucumber slices
Satin Doll
“A lot of my contemporary cocktails are inspired by the classics, this cocktail gets its inspiration from the very popular prohibition era cocktail – the Clover Leaf.” via Post Prohibition
Ingredients:
2 oz Bulleit Rye Whiskey
1/2 oz Aperol
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz house made grenadine
1 egg white
6–8 chocolate mint leaves
3 drops of Peychaud’s Bitters for garnish
1 chocolate mint sprig for garnish
Directions:
- Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker except chocolate mint and Peychaud’s Bitters.
- Dry shake or use a hand held frother to incorporate the egg white.
- Pick 6–8 chocolate mint leaves place in your hand and smack with your other hand, then toss into the cocktail shaker. There is no need to muddle the mint.
- Add ice to your shaker and shake.
- Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with one chocolate mint sprig and three drops of Peychaud’s Bitters.
(see video directions here)