It’s the end of a decade, so time to break out the good alcohol, we’re getting fancy!
There’s no better time than now to really flex those home bartending skills to create something memorable. The recipes below will hopefully bring some inspiration for your New Year’s Eve celebrations and add that special something to an end of decade extravaganza!
Lillet Le Blanc
For a cocktail that reminds people summer hasn’t gone away, try a little Lillet. The French aperitif provides a nice brightness to cocktails, and is easy drinking.
- 1.25oz of Lillet Blanc
- 0.5oz of Cognac
- 0.5oz of honey
- 0.5oz of lime juice
- 1.25oz of orange juice
- 1 sprig of rosemary
Method: Grind the rosemary in a cocktail shaker and add the other ingredients. Shake well and strain twice. Serve over ice with a sprig of rosemary.
French 75
A classic that deserves to be part of every New Year’s celebration. The drink dates to World War I, and an early form was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris—later Harry’s New York Bar—by barman Harry MacElhone. The combination was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz London Dry Gin
- 1 tsp superfine sugar
- 0.5 oz Lemon juice
- 5 oz Brut Champagne
Method: Combine gin, lemon juice and sugar in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a Collins glass with ice and top with Champagne.
Garibaldi
Let’s face it, hosting can be a lot, so sometimes simple is better. The garibaldi is cocktail simplicity at it’s finest. Just two ingredients can make a drink that may be remembered as the standout of the night
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Campari
- 4 oz fresh squeezed orange juice
- Orange slice
Method: Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the Campari and squeeze fresh orange juice into the glass, the fresh orange juice is important here as it adds a lightness you won’t get from packaged juice. Stir to combine and garnish with a wedge of orange. Serve immediately.
Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet
Gimlets are always a refreshing option during a party, and the elderflower makes this one particularly unique and memorable. The addition of cucumber adds a spa water like quality, which will have your guests asking for more.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Hendricks Gin
- 1 oz St. Germain
- 1 oz Lime juice
- 1 inch cucumber, cut into cubes
Method: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add in the St. Germain, gin and fresh squeezed lime juice. Pour in the gin, St. Germain and lime juice. Add the cucumber, and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Strain into a martini or nick and nora glass and serve with a garnish of cucumber round.
Pink Dragon
If you’re really looking to impress, this tequila based cocktail adds a special flare to an already festive evening.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila
- 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 oz. Simple Syrup
- 2 Strawberries
- 8–10 Mint Leaves
- Soda Water
- Rose Water
Method: Combine all ingredients, except rose water and soda water into a cocktail shaker. Muddle fruit/herbs and add ice. Shake vigorously then fine strain into a collins glass. Add fresh ice and top off with soda water and 6 dashes of rose water. Garnish with a mint sprig stuck through a half-moon dragon fruit slice (optional, but highly worth the visual appeal).
Lucky Number Slevin
Created by bartender Kyle Guilfoyle of Victoria’s Little Jumbo, this cocktail combines the bitterness of an IPA with the strength of a Bourbon cocktail along with a freshness of citrus. It’s a good drink.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz orange juice
- 0.5 oz maple syrup
- 0.5 oz Giffard pamplemousse
- 2 dashes Fee’s black walnut bitters
- Splash of IPA
Method: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, orange juice, maple syrup, Giffards and bitters. Shake well. Pour into a highball glass with ice. Top with IPA and garnish with a swath of orange zest.
Ale/Sessions 