New Year’s Eve cocktail recipes
Celebrate in style with these perfect mixes
1
Grey Goose Countdown
A citrusy and bubbly delight — ideal for the big countdown.
Ingredients
- 35ml Grey Goose vodka
- 15ml light agave syrup
- 25ml yellow grapefruit juice
- 25ml pineapple juice
- Soda or ginger ale
Method
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker before straining and top with soda or ice-cold ginger ale. For the garnish, peel a zingy grapefruit zest for a stylish finish.
2
Deanston Kentucky Old Fashioned
This classic cocktail is a great way to usher in the new year and the perfect balance for anyone who is maybe a little tired of sweet Christmas drinks. Watch a how-to video here.
Ingredients
- A slug of Deanston Kentucky Cask
- 1 sugar cube
- Splash water
- Dash bitters
- Ice cubes
Method
In a glass add a sugar cube, splash of water, dash of bitters and give it a good stir. Next go in with a cube or two of ice, followed by a good slug of Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Finish with a squeeze of orange and garnish with orange rind.
3
Aviation Gin Cosmo Cocktail
Aviation American Gin is crafted in small batches in Portland, Oregon, and takes its name from the Aviation cocktail, which was created in the 1900s. Aviation gin is used for this Cosmo party recipe.
Ingredients
- 45ml Aviation American Gin
- 20ml sweet vermouth
- 10ml maraschino liqueur
- Dash bitters
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir, then strain into a martini glass. Top with dashes of bitters and garnish with lemon peel and maraschino cherry.
4
The Moonwalk using Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
Guaranteed to impress, this beautiful aperitif comes with its own slice of history and guests will be charmed in its retelling. It was invented in 1969 by Joe Gilmore, head bartender of the American Bar at the Savoy to celebrate the Apollo 11 mission. Unable to serve the astronauts himself, Gilmore sent a flask over to Houston and it was the first cocktail Neil Armstrong tasted on his return.
Ingredients
- 35ml Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
- 3 dashes grapefruit bitters
- 3 dashes orange blossom water
- 1 sugar cube
- Champagne Brut
Method
Stir Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge with orange blossom and grapefruit bitters in a mixing glass. Place the sugar cube at the bottom of a chilled champagne flute. Pour the mixing glass mixture over the sugar and top up with champagne.
5
Glenapp1870
The bar staff at the five-star Glenapp Castle in Scotland mix up an array of cocktails, including the Glenapp1870, which is served in a champagne flute.
Ingredients
- 35ml Hendrick’s Gin
- 20ml lemon juice
- 15ml sugar syrup
- Champagne
Method
Add all ingredients except for the champagne to the shaker. Shake and strain into the glass and then top up with champagne. Serve in a chilled flute and garnish with a lemon twist and thyme.
6
Tennessee Guinness Punch by Daddy Rack
Daddy Rack Tennessee Straight Whiskey’s smooth and luxuriously creamy Tennessee Guinness Punch is a must for any NYE gathering.
Ingredients
- 340ml Guinness
- 225ml whole milk
- 120ml Daddy Rack
- 120ml condensed milk
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
Add all the ingredients into a blender without ice, blend and then refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice and garnish with grated nutmeg.
7
The Metaxa Blue Blazer Cocktail
A flaming tipple featuring Metaxa 12 Stars, Cointreau, amaretto and walnut bitter. This twist on the classic Blue Blazer brings with it delicious hints of sweet liqueur and citrus making it a true showstopper for NYE.
Ingredients
- 50ml Metaxa 12 Stars
- 20ml Cointreau
- 30ml water
- 20ml amaretto
- Dash black walnut bitter
Method
Add the Metaxa 12 Stars, amaretto and bitters to a shaker and roll, add water and syrup. Garnish with orange zest and a burned cinnamon stick on the side.
8
Rising Skies by Nuet Dry Aquavit
Nuet Dry Aquavit’s homemade cocktail, the Rising Skies, is perfect for the party season.
Ingredients
- 50ml Nuet Dry Aquavit
- 20ml lemon juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp blackcurrant jam
Method
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Stir well. Double strain.
9
Honey have you seen my Ruby! by The King of Soho
This cocktail recipe is made using Variorum gin – a pink berry edition of the original King of Soho London Dry Gin.
Ingredients
- 50ml King of Soho Variorum Gin
- 25ml honey water (mix two parts honey to one part water)
- 25ml lime juice
- 30ml ruby port to float
Method
Shake pink gin, honey and lime juice with plenty of ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Finish with a ruby port float by pouring slowly over a teaspoon at the side of the glass.
10
Grey Goose Holiday Punch
Vodka brand Grey Goose has a full range of cocktail recipes available on its website. Tasty tipples include the Grey Goose Holiday Punch here.
Ingredients
- 45ml Grey Goose vodka
- 15ml pomegranate juice
- 30ml sweetened black tea
- 30ml martini & rossi prosecco
- Mint and lime wedge (garnish)
Method
Combine ingredients in a rocks glass over ice and top with prosecco to finish.
11
The Nc’nean Hot Toddy
Nc’nean’s Hot Toddy gift set has everything you need to make this winter warmer. It contains a bottle of Nc’nean single malt organic Scotch whisky, Scottish heather honey, a bottle of sherry vinegar, recipe card and a thermal flask to keep it hot. Ideal for a night outside watching fireworks.
Ingredients
- 120ml Nc’nean Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- 30ml sherry vinegar
- 300ml boiling water
- 4 tsp honey (heaped)
Method
Mix all the ingredients and pour in the flask provided with the gift set. Serves two to three.
12
After Eight Martini
This deliciously creamy concoction was created by the team at Skylight at Tobacco Dock.
Ingredients
- 30ml vodka
- 20ml creme de menthe
- 50ml Baileys (or try vegan alternative Baileys Almande)
Method
Shake well over ice, then fine strain into a martini glass (also delicious over ice in a rocks glass). Garnish with grated dark chocolate.
13
The Sun Tavern’s mulled wine
Ross Painter, head of drink development at the Umbrella Project, has put together this mulled wine recipe for the Sun Tavern in east London. “Making a mulled wine at home can be fairly simple – heat wine, add winter spices and a bit of sugar,” he said. “But making a truly delicious one can be a little more challenging.”
Ingredients
- 4 bottles (2800ml) Malbec/Cab Sav red wine
- 1lt orange juice
- 2lt water
- 600g caster sugar
- 2 vanilla pods
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 15 cloves
- 2 star anise
- Grated nutmeg
Method
Add all the ingredients into a 6lt/200oz pot and put on the lid. Turn hob on to the lowest temperature. After ten minutes, check the temperature, it should be between 50C and 60C (122 to 140F). After one hour remove the spices by carefully transferring the liquid through a sieve to another pot. Return to heat, when serving, replacing the lid after. Keep an eye on the heat, if you are using gas the lowest setting on the smallest burner may still be too hot. Simply have the pot half on half and off the heat to reach the correct temperature. To garnish simply grate some nutmeg over the top and serve.
14
Hot Hot Chocolate by Diablesse Rum
Diablesse Rum, an independent female-owned British rum brand, comprises two distinct, small-batch expressions: Diablesse Caribbean Rum and Diablesse Clementine Spiced Rum. The rum brand has created a number of winter warmers, including the Hot Hot Chocolate.
Ingredients
- 35ml Diablesse Clementine Spiced Rum
- Your favourite hot chocolate
- 10ml Ancho Reyes liqueur
- Pinch sea salt
Method
Combine all the ingredients and add whipped cream, toasted marshmallows and chilli flakes.
15
Winter Spiced by Diablesse Rum
The Diablesse Rum festive menu also features the Winter Spiced, which is perfect for the cold season.
Ingredients
- 40ml Diablesse Clementine Spiced Rum
- 20ml Irish cream
- 15ml Mozart White Chocolate liqueur
- 10ml ginger liqueur
- 5ml toasted almond liqueur
- All spice bitters
Method
Combine all the ingredients, shake with ice and strain into a martini glass.
16
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Mandarina Martini by Dangerous Don
Like all mezcal, Dangerous Don Con Mandarina should be sipped. It can be enjoyed simply on its own, mixed with a dash of tonic, or as a cocktail like the Mandarina Martini, which has been created by Dangerous Don founder Thea Cumming.
Ingredients
- 45ml Dangerous Don Con Mandarina
- 20ml white vermouth (full body is better)
- 10-15ml Italicus liqueur (as you like it)
Method
Stir all the ingredients in a mixing glass, serve in a martini glass and garnish with a pickled onion.
17
Jaffa Cake Gin Hot Chocolate
Bringing together two timeless classics, Jaffa Cake Gin is distilled with oranges, fresh orange peel, cocoa powder and real Jaffa Cakes. The result is just as you’d expect – full-on Jaffa Cake tastiness built around a distinctive base of crisp juniper – perfect for gin lovers with a sweet tooth. Enjoy a Jaffa Cake-inspired gin hot chocolate on NYE.
Ingredients
- 25ml Jaffa Cake Gin
- 25g dark chocolate
- 150ml semi-skimmed milk
- 10g caster sugar
- Orange zest
Method
Slowly melt the chocolate. Add the milk and sugar, and stir until dissolved. Grate in orange zest, then add the Jaffa Cake Gin and serve, garnished with a Jaffa Cake.
