Festive New Years Cocktails
I don’t know about you but I’m counting down the days until 2020 is a thing of the past! And there’s no better way to celebrate in my opinion than with fun craft cocktails! I’ve composed a list of my favorite festive spirits to help you ring in the new year. Hopefully you’ll find one that makes your tastebuds sing Auld Lang Syne!
There are a few fun elements to a craft cocktail in addition to the contents itself. I myself am a believer that if something looks beautiful, it must taste amazing! Well, with the simple recipes below, that’s absolutely the case! And, if you choose to incorporate a few of the special items mentioned below, you’re sure to wow your party guests!
Infused simple syrups
This is a ‘simple’ way to infuse great flavor into any craft cocktail. Simply mix 1 cup sugar or honey with 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium/high heat and mix until the sugar starts to dissolve.
Add your desired infusions and simmer a few additional minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely, then transfer to a container with lid and refrigerate.
Before you know it you’ll have a unique infused syrup you can use to make tasty craft cocktails that will wow your guests!
There are so many great infusion ideas. Here are a few that you might enjoy experimenting with! The best h
erbs: rosemary, thyme, basil, sage, mint. The tastiest spices:
peppercorn, anise seed, cinnamon sticks. And fun fruit ideas:
cranberry, orange, lemon and ginger
Unique shaped ice cube trays
There are so many fun ice cube trays in various shapes and sizes that can make an ordinary cocktail extraordinary! Not only do they look beautiful but they melt more slowly as to not water down your tasty spirit.
Take it one step further and add a few fun elements to your ice cubes before freezing them: a few sprigs of rosemary, twists of lemon, cranberries… beautiful!
I purchased mine on Amazon. You can find them here.
The Cocktail recipes:
Apple cider old fashioned
In a cocktail glass combine 1 Tbsp apple cider (fresh-pressed is best), 1/2 Tbsp pure maple syrup, 4 dashes of angostura bitters, 1 tsp freshly squeezed orange juice and 5 Tbsp of your favorite bourbon. Swirl in glass until sugar has dissolved. Add ice and top with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.
Meyer lemon sage sour
In a cocktail shaker full of ice, combine 4 Tbsp gin (I prefer Hendricks for it’s smooth rosy notes), 3 tsp honey simple syrup (recipe above) and 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed meyer lemon juice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Smash a few small sage leaves between your fingers to release the aromas, then place in your glass as a garnish. Enjoy!
Spiced cranberry margarita
Combine 4 tbsp tequila, 1 Tbsp cranberry juice, 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1 Tbsp cinnamon infused simple syrup. Shake well and pour into cocktail glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and slice of lime. If you’re feeling extra festive, rub a lime wedge around the lip of the cocktail glass and dip in cinnamon/sugar. Cheers!
There you have it!
A few fabulously festive spirits to say au ruvoir to 2020 and cheers to a very welcomed 2021!
Cheers!
