It’s tradition to toast the new year with champagne at midnight. We might even feel we’ve gotten on the wrong foot without doing it.
But when it comes to what we’re drinking before that, in the countdown hours, we’ve got a lot more options to choose from — like a good, stiff cocktail. If you want to stay faithful to the bubbly theme, two of the below cocktails have some form of sparkling wine, while the other one is simply an appropriate drink with which to finish up the year.
Icelandic Sparkling Apricot
1 1/2 oz. Reyka Vodka
3/4 oz. apricot liqueur
1/2 oz. lemon juice
Top with sparkling wine
Combine all ingredients into a shaker and shake well. Strain into champagne glass, top with sparkling wine and garnish with lemon peel.
— Reyka Vodka
Champagne Flip
1 oz. Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac
1/2 oz. St. George Pear Brandy
1/4 oz. dry curaçao
1/2 oz. heavy cream
1/4 oz. simple syrup
1 small egg white
1 oz. Brut Champagne
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously at least 45 seconds.
Strain the drink into a wine glass or champagne flute using a fine mesh cocktail strainer. Top with a generous splash of Brut Champagne. Garnish by grating fresh nutmeg over the drink.
— Austin’s Backbeat
Nightcap
1 1/2 oz. blended Scotch whisky
3/4 oz. Branca Menta
1/2 oz. honey syrup (heat up one cup water, one cup honey on stove until sugar is dissolved)
For the cold version, simply stir with ice and strain over a large cube in a rocks glass. To serve it hot, add all ingredients to a coffee cup or mug and fill with hot water.
— Austin’s the Hightower
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