New Year’s Eve is fun, right? I mean, the whole thing is sort of arbitrary, time largely being a manmade construct and all, but details aside—it’s a party! Butchering the words to “Auld Lang Syne,” counting down to midnight and ringing in the new year, none of which would be complete without a drink in hand.
In that spirit, I bestow upon you my favorite drinks to cheers 2018 (my boring standard gin and tonic nowhere to be found). Plus, though alcohol makes everything better, I’ve also included a couple mocktails—perfect for kids who want to join in the fun. Happy New Year!
Champagne Margaritas
Recipe courtesy of Delish
Bubbly mixed with tequila? Heaven totally exists.
Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup silver tequila
1/2 cup orange liqueur
1 bottle champagne
Lime wedges, for rim
Salt, for rim
Directions
1. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well.
2. Run lime wedges around the rim of each champagne flute and dip the rims in coarse salt.
3. Divide margaritas between flutes and garnish with lime wedges.
Martha’s Little Berry Cocktail
Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart
Martha, Martha, Martha. This fanciful little drink is dressed to impress.
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 ounce ruby red grapefruit vodka, such as Charbay, chilled
2 ounces champagne, chilled
1 ounce cranberry juice, chilled
1 ounce black currant juice
Blackberry puree, chilled
Directions
1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, dissolve sugar into 1 1/2 cups water. Add cranberries and simmer until softened, about five minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain, discarding liquid, and place cranberries on a baking sheet. Transfer baking sheet to freezer and chill at least two hours.
2. Mix together vodka, champagne, cranberry, and currant juice in a champagne glass. Garnish with a skewer of four or five frozen cranberries. Reserve remaining cranberries for another drink.
The C&T
Recipe courtesy of Mix That Drink
Not into champagne? I totally get it. I know I promised no gin and tonics, but this is way different and super easy to throw together.
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce orange liqueur
Dash of lime juice
Cranberry juice
Directions
1. Fill a shaker halfway with ice.
2. Pour in all ingredients and shake until chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into an old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime.
Chocolate Milk Mocktail
Recipe courtesy of Food Network
This might basically be fancy chocolate milk. And?
Ingredients
Hot cocoa powder, for garnishing rim of glass
1/2 cup your favorite chocolate sauce
1 cup whole milk
Ice
Chocolate shavings, for garnish
Directions
1. Chill 2 glasses. Dampen the rim of each glass and invert into the cocoa powder to rim the glass.
2. In a large shaker, add the chocolate sauce and milk and fill with ice. Shake well for 30 seconds. Pour into the glasses and garnish with shaved chocolate.
Woo-Woo Mocktail
Recipe courtesy HGTV
Truth be told, I couldn’t bring myself to not include a mocktail titled the Woo-Woo.
Ingredients
Orange juice
Pineapple juice
Grenadine
Lemon juice
Bitters (optional)
Directions
1. Mix equal parts of orange juice and pineapple juice.
2. Add a dash each of grenadine, lemon juice and bitters, if using.
