What would New Year’s Eve be without a fabulous cocktail or two? We like our retro cocktail theme so much that we decided to continue it for NYE with a selection of party-worthy beverages that are sure to shake up a good time. True to the NYE theme, each of these calls for champagne, or you could use a locally-produced sparkling white wine! To make these drinks as eco-friendly as possible, choose organic or sustainable alcohols when available. And no matter what cocktails you decide to whip up, skip the Technicolor pre-packaged mixers; opting instead for natural, organic juices and your own homemade simple syrup (have some real flavor fun and infuse your syrup with herbs or fruit). If you just have to go pre-done mixers, look for organic bar mixes like Nature’s Flavors. Skip the Day-Glo cherries and garnish your beverages with fruit slices, citrus zest or even an herb sprig. It may not be possible to make a 100% organic cocktail, but it’s certainly possible to get most of the way there. Once you’ve assembled your bar necessities, it’s time to get shakin’ and stirrin’ up some New Year’s Eve cheer.
Classic Champagne Cocktail (AKA – Goodnight Kiss)
- 1 sugar cube
- Organic bitters
- Champagne
- Garnish: Lemon twist
Soak sugar cube with bitters and place in the bottom of a champagne flute. Top with chilled champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
Elderflower Fizz
- 1/2 ounce vodka
- 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur
- 1 ounce lime juice
- Splash agave nectar
- Champagne
- Garnish: Thyme sprig
Pour the vodka, elderflower liquer, lime juice and agave nectar into a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake vigorously. String into a champagne flute, then top with chilled champagne. Lightly bruise a sprig of thyme in your hand, then use it to give the drink a stir, leaving it in as garnish.
New Year’s Eve Squeeze
- 1 1/2 ounce vodka
- Splash of grenadine
- Splash of cranberry juice
- Champagne
- Garnish: Lemon Twist
Pour the vodka, grenadine, and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a champagne flute and top with chilled champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Poinsettia
- 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
- 1/4 ounce triple sec
- Champagne
- Garnish: Lime twist
Pour cranberry juice and triple sec into a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a champagne flute and top with chilled champagne. Garnish with a lime twist.
Happy New Year
- 1/4 ounce brandy
- 3/4 ounce ruby port
- 3/4 ounce orange juice
- Champagne
- Garnish: Orange slice
Pour brandy, ruby port, and orange juice into a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a champagne flute and top with chilled champagne. Garnish with an orange slice.
And our finale – this one is a do-ahead drink that makes a gorgeous and festive toast.
Raspberry Champagne Twist
Serves 12
- 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries (12 additional for garnish)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 12 lemon twists
- Champagne
Process raspberries, water and sugar in a blender till smooth. Strain to remove seeds and pour into ice cube trays, placing a lemon twist in each cube. Freeze until solid. To serve, place one cube in a champagne flute and top with chilled champagne. Float a single berry on top.
And if you’ve got leftover champagne… make mimosas for New Year’s Day, of course!
