We're in the last chapter of 2021, and with it come new beginnings, best wishes for the upcoming year, and the time to celebrate that, after all, you've made it this far.
New Year's Eve is the only moment of the year where a toast is required and not optional, and for this here are ten New Year's Eve drinks and cocktails to do it right.
Before we start, note that for some of these recipes you will need Barvivo's Cocktail Shaker, which also happens to be the most versatile accessory you could have in your home bar.
New Year’s Sparkler
As gorgeous-looking as it is refreshing and delicious, this New Year's Eve drink recipe is the perfect way to add flavor and an extra punch to a classic glass of champagne. Here's how to make about 10 glasses of this cocktail:
Two 750ml bottles of champagne
2 cups frozen cranberries
1 ½ ounces pomegranate or cranberry juice
1 cup sugar
8 ounces vodka
Garnish (optional): raspberries
Combine the cranberries, sugar, and vodka in a blender on high speed until smoothly puréed. Strain and chill. To a champagne glass, add the cranberry purée and the pomegranate or cranberry juice, then top with champagne. Optionally garnish with raspberries.
Rosemary Mimosa
Looks stunning, tastes delicious, and it is almost impossible to have just one. This Rosemary Mimosa is a great recipe for a New Year's Eve drink, even though it requires a bit of extra preparation. Here's how to make about eight of these, just remember to share them with your friends and family!
One 750ml bottle of champagne
2 cups grapefruit juice
½ cup rosemary syrup (recipe below)
1 c. water
1 c. sugar
3 fresh rosemary sprigs, plus smaller sprigs for garnish
Garnish: rosemary sprigs
For the rosemary syrup:
In a small saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a simmer over medium heat. Add the rosemary sprigs and stir for one minute. Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes. Remove the rosemary sprigs before using.
For the cocktail:
Fill half of each glass with champagne, then top with about ¼ cup of grapefruit juice and 2 teaspoons of the rosemary syrup you've prepared. Adjust by adding juice or champagne to your taste. Garnish with a small rosemary sprig.
French 75
Get your cocktail shaker out, this cocktail is as classy as it is easy to make! Another variation of the champagne-based party drinks, the French 75 is an excellent choice for any kind of New Year's Eve party with friends or family.
1 ounce gin
½ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
½ ounce simple syrup
3 ounces Champagne (or other sparkling wine)
Garnish: lemon twist
To your cocktail shaker, add the gin, lemon juice, syrup, and ice, and shake vigorously. Strain into a champagne glass, then top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
Golden Dram
If you're looking for an easy drink for a party, yet one that looks stunning and very on theme with the holidays, this is it.
3 dashes Angostura bitters
¾ ounce 12-year-old scotch (we recommend Aberfeldy)
1 or 2 ounces Prosecco
Garnish: 1 sugar cube
Soak a sugar cube with 3 dashes of Angostura bitters over a napkin, then drop the sugar cube in a champagne glass. Add the scotch, stir gently and top with Prosecco.
Cranberry Moscow Mule
This is a great New Year's Eve drink recipe and one that will leave your guests in awe. The garnish presentation is simply stunning and the copper mug is a stylish depart from the classic cocktail glass.
4 ounces ginger beer
4 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
2 ounces dark rum or vodka
1 lime, cut in half
crushed ice cubes
Garnish: lime wheel, fresh or frozen cranberries, strawberries or blackberries
Into a copper mug, place 1 cup crushed ice. To your cocktail shaker, add the ginger beer, cranberry juice, rum, the juice of ½ lime, and ice, and shake gently. Strain into the mug. Garnish with frozen fruit and a lime wheel.
Hot Toddy
This is the quintessential cozy drink for a cold winter night: think caramel-infused notes of whiskey, intertwined with the zest of lemon and the mellow sweetness of honey, in a hot cocktail that is ideal to sip in front of the fire.
¾ cup hot water
1 ½ ounces whisky or bourbon
1 tablespoon honey
½ ounce lemon juice
Garnish (optional): lemon wedge and cinnamon stick
Heat the water until very hot, but don't let it boil. Combine with whiskey, honey, and lemon juice, and pour over a crystal mug. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a cinnamon stick.
Champagne Mojito
Mojito is a staple of warm summer nights, but why wait for your next beach getaway when you can toast to a new year right at the end of December? Check out this mojito recipe with a festive twist:
1 lime juiced
8 mint leaves
½ ounce simple syrup or sugar
1 ½ ounces light rum
champagne
crushed ice
Garnish: mint leaves, wedges of lime
In a highball glass, muddle together the lime and mint with the simple syrup or sugar. Fill ¾ of the glass with crushed ice, then add the rum and stir everything together. Top with champagne and garnish.
Black Velvet (Irish)
Getting in the mood for an Irish New Year? Raise your glass to Ireland during the holidays with this Irish cocktail recipe, which happens to also be the easiest to make on this list. Sláinte!
3 ounces champagne
3 ounces Guinness beer
Fill half a champagne glass or martini glass with Guinness beer, then slowly top with chilled champagne.
Sgroppino
This Italian cocktail won't ever disappoint, no matter the reason for the celebration. Here's a recipe for two drinks that will get you ready for a New Year's Eve toast with that special someone.
8 ounces chilled Prosecco (Italian sparkling white wine)
1 ounce chilled vodka
3 ounces frozen lemon sorbet
Garnish: chopped fresh mint leaves or dried white lavender
Pour equal parts Prosecco and vodka into two champagne glasses or coupes. Add a scoop of sorbet into each glass, then garnish with mint leaves or lavender.
Baileys Cocktail
Last on our list, a truly decadent New Year's Eve cocktail that is creamy, chocolaty, and oh, so luxurious. Great as a dessert, too. Get a champagne coupe in the freezer and your cocktail shaker ready, and try not to make your mouth water while you read this recipe:
1 ounce Baileys
1 ounce coffee liqueur
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce cream
Garnish: chocolate shavings
To your cocktail shaker, add the Baileys, coffee liqueur, vodka, cream, and ice. Shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled champagne coupe and garnish with a teaspoon of chocolate shavings.
