Ring In The New Year with These Simple Cocktails

What better way to celebrate a year of memories and new beginnings than by raising a glass and having a drink? We have curated some of the best and easiest cocktails that will elevate your New Year's Eve festivities, making them perfect for any major party or solo cozy night in. Get ready for the midnight countdown in 3… 2… 1!

Champagne Cocktail

Champagne is the drink synonymous with New Years. It is a tradition that dates back to the 16th century with aristocrats at royal parties. There are many different versions of this festive cocktail, but we recommend this simple recipe for a Champagne cocktail. All you need are 4 ingredients: champagne (or sparkling wine), a sugar cube, some Angostura bitters and a lemon twist. To start building the drink in the flute, place the sugar cube at the bottom. Douse the cube in 3-5 dashes of bitters. Fill the rest of the glass with champagne and add a lemon twist as a garnish. This drink is light and refreshing, sure to please anyone who takes a sip.

Cosmopolitan

A bright drink with the perfect mixture of sweet and tart, the Cosmopolitan is a go-to for any special occasion. In fact, most of the ingredients are already in your pantry or on your bar cart. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add in 2 ounces of vodka and 1/2 an ounce of triple sec. To offset the booze, add in 3/4 ounce of cranberry juice and 1/4 ounce of lime juice. Shake the cocktail until chilled, so around 30 seconds. Strain it into a martini glass, add some twists or peels of orange for a garnish and it is ready to serve.

New Year Sparkler

The New Year Sparkler is very versatile and can be adapted to any taste palette. Pick a berry juice of your choosing and mix it with vodka – flavoured or not is up to you – in a glass. The ratio is 1:1.5 alcohol to juice. Top the glass off with 3 ½ ounces of champagne and a fruit skewer for a delicious cocktail. Be cautious of any overly sugared fruits as it could make the beverage sickly sweet.

Espresso Martini

If you’re looking for a beverage that gives you the rush of caffeine with the buzz from alcohol, an espresso martini is perfect for you. This coffee-based cocktail is the perfect mixture of sweet, creamy and bitter. With 4 ingredients you may already have in your home, it will only take moments to make. After you brew your coffee, add it to your cocktail shaker with ice, vodka, simple syrup and Kahlúa. Shake it up and strain it into a martini glass, adding a couple coffee beans as a garnish. This is great for after dessert or when you’re looking to get the party started.

Whiskey Sour

Serving whiskey sours is sure to wake you up as you party late into the night. Pour 2 ounces of whiskey, 1 ounce lemon juice and 3/4 ounce of simple syrup into a cocktail shaker, mix it up and serve it on ice. For a fun twist, add an egg white into the mixer to get a frothy top.