By Prince William Living Publisher, Rebecca Barnes
For those looking to add a special touch to their New Year’s Eve celebration, classic cocktails are the perfect way to impress your guests. Whether you’re looking for something sparkling or strong, there’s a classic cocktail that will fit the occasion. Here are a few of our reader favorites – let us know which is yours!
Margarita
Ingredients:
– 1½ ounces tequila
– ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
– ½ ounce simple syrup
– 1 lime wedge (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Combine tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass or margarita glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.
Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
– 1½ ounces vodka
– ½ ounce cranberry juice cocktail
– ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
– 1 tablespoon simple syrup
– 1 lime wedge (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Combine vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.
Daiquiri
Ingredients:
– 2 ounces white rum
– 1 ounce fresh lime juice
– ½ ounce simple syrup
– 1 lime wedge (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Combine rum, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.
Gimlet
Ingredients:
– 2 ounces gin or vodka
– ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
– ½ ounce simple syrup
– 1 lime wedge (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Combine gin or vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.
Manhattan
Ingredients:
– 2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon
– 1-ounce sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
– 1 cherry (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Combine rye whiskey or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a cherry and serve immediately.
Negroni
Ingredients:
– 1 ounce gin
– 1 ounce Campari
– 1 ounce sweet vermouth
– 1 orange peel (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with an orange peel and serve immediately.
Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
– 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
– ¼ ounce simple syrup
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– 1 cherry (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Combine bourbon or rye whiskey, simple syrup, and bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Stir well and strain into a rocks glass or old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Garnish with a cherry and serve immediately.
Espresso Martini
Ingredients:
– 1½ ounces vodka
– ½ ounce coffee liqueur
– ¼ ounce simple syrup
– 1 ounce freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee
Instructions:
1. Combine vodka, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Float the espresso or coffee on top of the cocktail and serve immediately.
Mimosa
Ingredients:
– 1 ounce orange juice
– 1 ounce champagne or sparkling wine
Instructions:
1. Pour the orange juice into a champagne flute or cocktail glass.
2. Top with champagne or sparkling wine and serve immediately.
Aperol Spritz
Ingredients:
– 3 parts prosecco
– 2 parts Aperol
– 1 part club soda or sparkling water
– 1 slice orange (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Combine prosecco, Aperol, and club soda or sparkling water in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled
Cheers!