If you need an idea for a fun drink for your New Years Eve party here are some of ours:
Sherry: The Cosmo (or Kool-Aid for grownups as I call it) is one of my favorites. My friend Jill Ribler gave it to me.
For a pitcher:
2 cups cranberry juice
1 cup vodka
1/2 cup Triple Sec
1/4 cup Rosemary’s Lime
Mix and enjoy. If you want to just make one use the same proportions with a jigger.
Julie: OK, this is for the non-alcohol drinkers out there. Though we have been known to have add-ons next to the punch bowl.
In a large punch bowl, mix cans of frozen pineapple juice, cranberry juice, lemonade, limeade, grapefruit juice. (Note: my family has taken to mixing the juices, and freezing half of the mixture for another party.) Add gingerale (2 2L bottles) and ice. (Another note. We add seltzer in equal amounts to cut down on the sweet.) Throughout the party, keep adding gingerale. It is the never ending punch, and always a huge hit.
Edith: Well, I’m not much of a party drink person. I like my champagne or whiskey pretty much unadorned, although we did have some nice Mimosas on Christmas morning with good OJ and good bubbly. Here’s to a happy, healthy, unadorned New Year!
Jessie: Our house cocktail is not one I am in charge of producing. It is the Brazilian National Cocktail, The Caipirinha. I’d share my husband’s recipe but I prefer to stay married to him. If you’d like to try making one of your own this recipe from Epicurious is a nice example of this delicious drink that won’t rock the boat in my world but just might do so in yours!
Liz: Here’s a fun one I made up to use some of my leftover berry vodka. I just eyeballed the amounts and tossed it all in my Vitamix (but any blender will do):
Berry vodka (Stoli Razz works great too)
Pom juice (about a cup)
Lime
Fresh or frozen raspberries (about half a cup)
Ice
Blend until it gets slushy, or keep it blending longer if you want it more liquid. Garnish with lime and enjoy!
Barb: This whole post caused me to have an existential crisis because I realized I had never, in my life, mixed a cocktail. How did I miss out on this? My parents and grandparents mixed cocktails. My (grown) kids have mixed cocktails. Honestly, what have I been doing with my time? So I’ve added mixology to the bucket list.
In the meantime, since I can’t offer a cocktail, I’ll offer a story. My short story, “New Derby, New Year’s Eve” appears in Kings River Life Magazine today. Enjoy!
Readers, tell us about your favorite cocktails! Details, please.
Thanks for the story. I loved it
Thanks, Gram. Glad you liked it and happy New Year!
Great story, Barb! I’m sure I read it at the time Riptide came out, but perfect timing to get it out again.
It was my first published story–thanks to the editors at Level Best Books!
Great minds think alike–I posted a punch recipe, too. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Marcia can you post a link? It’s always nice to have another punch recipe! Happy New Year to you too!
I am a cheap date drinker, and a lightweight too. My current favorite is cranberry ginger ale (soda) with a splash of champagne or white wine. It’s fizzy, sparkly, and gives me a little buzz. That is all I need for a half hour of happiness.
I’m a cheap date too, Ramona. I like the sounds of your drink!
Champagne is my choice for New Year’s, although it usually gives me the hiccups. But I got a recipe from my favorite pub owner (Eileen Connolly, who may or may not be a relative) in Leap for what she dubbed Turbo-Bailey’s, which they used to use on music nights at the pub to pacify the musicians after a long session. It’s a homemade version of Bailey’s–and it’s wicked good. I’ve got some “maturing” in the fridge right now.
Oh, now that sounds delicious, Sheila!