New Year’s Eve offers us a chance to send off the previous year with a smile and welcome the new one with open arms, so that toast at midnight is no joke.
But what’s filling the glass you’re raising? Champagne is the classic answer, but there’s no need to limit yourself. You no doubt have an extensive spirit collection for a reason (and a beautiful place to display and enjoy them)—so why not serve a unique signature cocktail to your guests and make the start of 2025 extra memorable?
Here are three of our favorite options:
Spiced Maple Red Cranberry Bourbon Spritzer
The depth of the bourbon in this drink blends beautifully with the cinnamon, ginger and maple syrup. Want an extra kick of spice? Substitute the sparkling water with ginger beer.
Ingredients
For the Spiced Maple Syrup:
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 (1-inch) piece of fresh ginger, sliced
For Two Cocktails:
- ice
- 4 oz. bourbon
- 2 oz. cranberry juice
- 2 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 oz. spiced maple syrup (or to taste)
- sparkling water, for topping off the glasses
For Optional Garnish:
- cinnamon sticks
- cranberries
- rosemary sprigs
Directions
For the Spiced Maple Syrup:
Place the ingredients in a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and then remove from the heat. Allow syrup to cool to room temperature with the cinnamon and ginger steeping. Remove the cinnamon and ginger before using in the cocktails. Leftover syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
For Two Cocktails:
To a shaker filled with ice, add the bourbon, juices, and spiced maple syrup. Shake vigorously for a few seconds to mix and thoroughly chill all the ingredients. Pour into glasses filled with ice. Top each glass off with a splash of sparkling water or seltzer and garnish as desired.
Mistletoe Martini
This cocktail, shared with us by Jed Kessler of Jed’s Party Services in Fair Lawn, puts a tart twist on a classic martini. We love a fresh rosemary garnish for the pop of green and the holiday aromatics.
Ingredients
- 3 oz. vodka
- ½ oz. fresh lime juice
- 4 oz. cranberry juice
- rosemary simple syrup
Directions
In a round ice cube tray, freeze a mixture of cranberry juice and rosemary simple syrup to make small cranberry ice spheres. In a shaker, add ice, vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice. Shake well and strain it into a chilled martini glass. Add the frozen cranberry balls. Carefully char burn one sprig of rosemary and place it in the glass as a garnish.
Cranberry Apple Moscow Mule
The cranberry and apple add a delightfully fruity and tart twist to this classic sip. For an additional garnish and more depth of flavor, consider adding a few fresh sage leaves.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. fresh cranberries, divided
- 1 cup extra fine granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 4 oz. vodka
- ¾ cup cranberry-apple juice/cocktail
- cranberry simple syrup (to taste)
- 2 ginger beers
- ½ apple, cored and sliced
Directions
Prepare simple syrup (this can be done well in advance and is recommended). In a medium saucepan, bring 6 ounces of cranberries, sugar, and water to a simmer over medium heat. Stir to combine. Reduce heat, cook until cranberries are tender but haven’t burst—approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Strain liquid and discard cranberries. Transfer to an airtight container and place in refrigerator until ready to use.
When ready to serve, fill two copper mugs half way each with shaved ice. Into each cup add: half vodka, half cran-apple juice. Add desired amount of cranberry simple syrup to each. Top off with ginger beer. Garnish with remaining cranberries and apple slices.
Have a holiday cocktail that always gets your guests talking? Show it off on Instagram by tagging us @njhomemag.