Top nine New Years Eve Cocktail Recipes

With New Years Eve fast approaching it’s time to start thinking about NYE drinks. This night is about celebrating (or drinking to forget) 2017 and one of the best ways of doing that is with a cocktail.

We all have our go-to cocktails, but it’s always good to try something new. If you’re hosting a party, fancy showing off your cocktail making skills or you just want a quick drink before heading out you’re bound to find a cocktail recipe that strikes your fancy.

No matter what you’re doing this New Years Eve there is always a time for cocktails, so have a browse through this list and see 2017 off in style.

Champagne Punch

Who doesn’t like Champagne? You’ll want to save a glass of bubbly to enjoy on its own, but there’s no harm in using a little bit for other drinks. This twist on traditional punch can be as alcoholic or as mild as you like so you can sip it all evening and just get a bit merry or have one and forget all your 2017 woes.

What you need:

Champagne punch is a versatile drink and there are several recipes floating around on the internet, so feel free to adapt this recipe depending on what you have in the kitchen. You will, however, need champagne (whichever kind takes your fancy) and you can either add some orange liqueur or 1 1/2 oz of brandy and 1 1/2 oz Cointreau.

For fruit you’ll need one orange rind, a few slices of pineapple and orange, a few strawberries, blueberries (optional but tasty), fresh mint and ice. Some people also add ginger ale or soda water for extra fizz.

Instructions:

Mix the ingredients in a large punch bowl and decorate with the fruit slices and mint.

Happy New Year Cocktail

This mixture of brandy, port and champagne is a perfect way to see in the new year, although you may want to take it easy so you don’t end up  under the table before midnight.

What you need

1/4 oz brandy, 3/4 oz ruby port, 3/4 oz orange juice, 4 oz champagne, ice cubes.

Instructions

Pour the brandy, port and orange juice into a cocktail shaker and shake with the ice cubes. Strain into a champagne glass, top with champagne and serve.

Midnight Kiss Cocktail

This aptly named blue cocktail is a great accompaniment to the countdown and will definitely help if the other kind of midnight kiss isn’t on the cards.

What you need 

3/4 oz of your favourite vodka, 1/4 oz blue curacao, 1 tsp lemon juice (optional), Champagne, ice.

Instructions

Mix the vodka, curacao, lemon juice and ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into a champagne flute. Top with Champagne and enjoy.

B-52

Making a B-52. Kahlula – irish Cream – Gran Marnier

This cocktail looks fancy, but it’s ridiculously easy to make. It may be a bit rich to drink all night, but this coffee-flavoured shot will definitely get your mid-evening drinks off to a good start.

What you need 

1/2 fluid ounce of coffee flavoured liqueur (Kahlua is always a popular choice.), 1/2 Baileys (or an alternative Irish cream liqueur), 1/2 of triple sec like Gran Marnier.

Instructions

Pour the three drinks into a shot glass with the Kahlua in first followed by the Baileys and the triple sec.

Hot White Russian

This warming alcoholic coffee drink is perfect for a lazy New Years Eve at home or something to wake you up for the long night ahead.

What you need
Hot coffee (around 5 ounces per cup), 3 ounces of a coffee liqueur like Kahlua, 1 1/2 ounces of vodka (or more), 3 ounces warm cream.

Instructions
Pour the warm coffee into the mugs till it fills about three quarters of the cup, add the Kahlua and vodka and warm the cream for a few minutes until it’s hot but not boiling/burning. Add 1 1/2 ounces of cream into each mug and enjoy!

Maiden’s Prayer

Image courtesy of Cointreau.

The name may be a little alarming, but this zesty gin-based cocktail is a sweet and surprisingly refreshing drink that works well in virtually any setting.

What you need
1 1/2 ounces of gin, 1 1/2 ounces of Cointreau, 1/2 ounces lemon juice (fresh or bottled), 1/2 ounces of orange juice.

Instructions
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well and serve in martini glasses. Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime.

Old Fashioned

This classic and grown up cocktail is a great way to feel on top of the world on the last day of the year. If you’re a fan of Bourbon and you’re sick of sweet festive drinks try mixing yourself an Old Fashioned cocktail.

What you need

2 ounces of bourbon, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2-3 dashes of whisky bitters, ice cubes (about one per glass), and citrus rind to garnish.

Instructions

Pop the sugar cube in a whisky tumbler glass and dissolve with a dash of water. Add the whisky bitters, bourbon, ice and citrus rind, stir well with a spoon and enjoy.

Spiced Cranberry Mojito

If you’re not sick to death of cranberries take a chance on this festive twist on the popular summer drink. Mojito’s are a refreshing way to start (or end) the evening and they make great brunch drinks if your new years resolution doesn’t quite pan out.

What you need

6 ounces of syrup, 8 oz spiced rum, 7 oz white or red cranberry juice (white will give a nice layered effect but is harder to find) 10 oz soda water, 1 table spoons lime juice, 1 large handful of fresh mint leaves (or more if needed),  cranberries to garnish.

Instructions

Pour the rum, cranberry juice, lime juice and ice into a cocktail shaker, pour into the glasses, pop some soda water on top and enjoy.

Note: Some people like to make their own cranberry syrup, so if you have some time to spare take a look at the recipe We are not Martha.

Mulled Sangria

The days of hot mulled drinks may be numbered, but why not take advantage of the season and enjoy one last mulled drink before its too late? This mulled sangria recipe combines all your favourite parts of mulled wine and sangria in one glass of warm seasonal goodness.

What you need

1 bottle of red wine (for four servings, half a bottle for two), 1/2 cup of brandy, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 cup of orange juice, one orange cut into slices, one lemon cut into slices, 3 tablespoons of sugar (or honey), other fruit slices like apples or strawberries(optional).

Instructions

Pour the wine, brandy, juice, cinnamon sticks, and sugar into a saucepan and heat until the sugar has melted/the wine is starting to warm up. Add the fruit and simmer for a further five minutes before serving into mugs.