The compulsory glass of bubbly on New Year’s Eve is timeless, and is a tradition that cannot be changed. However, if you wish to add something extra to your New Year’s menu, here are some simple but tasty cocktails to try!
1. Mulled wine cocktail
Perfect for that leftover mulled wine from Christmas (or maybe just make some more…), the mulled wine cocktail can be served cold or warm (as mullled wine) and is very simple.
Ingredients:
- mulled wine
- orange zest and a star anise to serve
- optional extra spirit
Method:
- Serve the mulled wine chilled or over ice, with a twist of orange zest and a star anise for decoration. You can also serve warm by simmering until hot and serving in heatproof glasses, and for an extra kick you can add a spirit eg. gin or rum.
2. Clementine martini
A classy martini perfect for a New Year’s soirée, the clementine martini is a sparkling, citrus cocktail with blended clementine juice, vodka, orange liqueur and fizz.
Ingredients:
- the juice of 6 clementines
- 100ml vodka
- 100ml Cointreau
- 1 bottle of Prosecco, Cava or Champagne
- 2 thinly sliced clementines for serving
Method:
- Chill some Martini glasses or champagne flutes in the freezer. Mix the clementine juice, vodka and Cointreau in a jug, then chill for minimum 1 hour or maximum 1 day).
- To serve, put a clementine slice into each frosty glass. Fill almost halfway with the chilled jug mixture, then top up the glasses with Prosecco, Cava or Champagne.
3. White mulled wine
A nice twist on the traditional red mulled wine, this is a lighter, fruitier version.
Ingredients:
- 2 bottles cheap-ish white wine, medium-dry is best
- 500ml bottle of cider
- 150ml elderflower cordial
- zest strips of 2 lemons
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 vanilla pod in halves
- 4-5 tbsp caster sugar
Method:
- Place all the ingredients into a pan and heat until steaming but not boiling. Ladle into mugs or glasses to serve, while you keep the rest warm on a low heat.
4. Amaretto fizz
Anything fizzy is perfect for New Year’s Eve, and this cocktail is no exception.
Ingredients:
- 400ml Disaronno
- 600ml orange juice
- 2 x 75cl bottles sparkling wine
- orange zest strips
Method:
- Mix Disaronno, orange juice and sparkling wine in a jug. Add a strip orange zest to each glass for decoration.
5. Brandy Alexander
This creamy cocktail is an ideal delicious spiced drink to finish the evening.
Ingredients:
- 80ml brandy
- 50ml crème de cacao
- 50ml double cream
- ice
- 1 tsp golden caster sugar to garnish
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg to garnish
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon to garnish
Method:
- To make the garnish, mix the sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon together and set aside.
- Pour the brandy, crème de cacao and double cream into a cocktail shaker*, then add a generous handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker is very cold, then strain into two small coupe or cocktail glasses.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of the spiced sugar, then serve.
If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, chill the ingredients ahead of time, then pour into a blender with 25ml water. Blend briefly to combine, then pour into chilled glasses and garnish as described above.
