When the countdown ends and the ball drops, you’re going to want two things: someone to kiss and something to drink. Our recent piece on closing the deal gives you a hand with the former. As for the latter, these five fantastic, mostly champagne-themed cocktails will make New Year’s Eve a night to remember for you and your guests. (The ones who don’t have too many of the cocktails, anyway.)
Midnight Martini
Never hurts to start the New Year with class, and nothing quite says “class” like a martini. This delicious drink will keep it classy well into the wee hours of the year’s first night.
What You’ll Need:
- Three and a half ounces of vodka or coffee-infused vodka
- One quarter ounce of coffee liqueur or coffee brandy
- A lemon twist for garnish
How You Make It:
If at all possible, get the first two ingredients caffeinated. Put them in a cocktail shaker with some crushed ice. Shake well, pour into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish, and go all night.
Black Velvet
Yes, champagne is the traditional New Year’s Eve drink. But if you don’t want to forego the taste of sweet, sweet beer as the clock strikes midnight, why not sip the best of both worlds?
What You’ll Need:
- A can or bottle of draught Guinness
- Your favorite champagne
How You Make It:
Fill a tall glass halfway with the beer. Then fill the rest with champagne. It doesn’t get any simpler than this one, gents. For best results, pour the champagne over a spoon.
Fizz
Few types of liquor say “manly” quite so elegantly as bourbon. Put a little hair on your chest as you toast the New Year with this hybrid beverage.
What You’ll Need:
- One ounce of bourbon
- Four ounces of champagne
- A lemon twist for garnish
How You Make It:
Pour the two ingredients into a champagne flute and add the garnish. Enjoy a champagne cocktail about 150 times tougher than any other.
Sparkler
Tequila is good any time of year, especially if you’re drinking to forget. This is about as classy as tequila gets, and a grande way to give the traditional champagne toast a little extra kick.
What You’ll Need:
- One ounce of tequila
- A splash of simple sugar syrup
- Half an ounce of champagne
- A slice of strawberry for garnish
How You Make It:
Chill the tequila and champagne. Combine them with the syrup in a champagne flute and add the garnish. Drink until you can’t remember her name. Or your name.
French 75
Go old school with this cocktail, which was a favorite up to and during the Prohibition days. It will make you stand out from the pack as a man of taste and sophistication.
What You’ll Need:
- Three ounces of champagne
- One ounce of gin
- A half ounce of simple sugar syrup
- A half ounce of fresh lemon juice
- A lemon twist for garnish
How You Make It:
Combine the gin, syrup and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker with shaved ice. Shake well and pour into a flute before adding the champagne and garnish. Savor the admiration from your fellow man.
