Bring out the glitzy gowns, shimmery shirts, vuvuzelas, streamers and party hats because 2020 is only five days away. If you are planning a house party, which many people prefer these days, you must have already decided on the starters, main course and desserts. That said, the party is incomplete without drinks. To ring in the New Year, you and your guests must raise a toast. On New Year’s eve why not serve a few cocktails and mocktails that you can make at home with minimum ingredients? After all it is the time to celebrate, so make it memorable!
So what are the best beverages to serve at a party? It could be a Rosé in a wine cocktail, faux champagne because you simply cannot do without popping a champagne bottle on New Year’s eve, old-school drinks that range from whisky to rum to bourbon and even classics like the mule.
Since we are stepping into a new decade, here’s a selection of beverages that you and your guests can’t resist. We promise, there’s a drink for every taste. So let the spirits flow and laughter fill the air.
SPICED HOT CHOCOLATE
Ingredients
Whole milk - 6 cups
Dark brown sugar, packed. - 3/4 cup
Cardamom, crushed, whole pods - 15
Cloves, whole 12
Cinnamon, broken in half, sticks - 2
Star anise, whole - 2
Coriander seeds, whole - 3/4 tsp
Nutmeg, ground - 3/4tsp
Red pepper, dried and crushed - 1/4 tsp
Cocoa powder, unsweetened - 1/2 cup
Vanilla extract - 3/4 tsp
Method
- Bring milk, dark brown sugar, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, coriander seeds, nutmeg and red pepper to simmer in heavy large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let steep 20 minutes.
- Add cocoa powder and vanilla. Bring to simmer, whisking until blended.
- Strain hot chocolate into 8-cup measuring cup; discard spices.
- Divide hot chocolate among 6 mugs.
(Recipe by The Ritz-Carlton, Pune)
BERRIED TREASURE
Ingredients
Fresh strawberry.. - 4
Freshly squeezed lime juice - 10 ml
Honey syrup - 20 ml
Tabasco sauce - 3 drops
Cranberry juice - 60 ml
Soda for top up. - 120 ml
Black salt to taste
Method
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the strawberries with lime juice and honey syrup.
- Add cranberry juice and salt in the shaker.
- Now add 6 cubes of ice and shake well.
- Pour it into a Hurricane glass and garnish with fresh strawberries.
(Recipe by Chandi Boro, restaurant manager, Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort and Spa)
CHRISTMAS FLAKE
Ingredients
Cranberry juice. - 60 ml
Heavy cream - 30 ml
Mint juice, muddled. - 10 ml
Small pine for garnish
Method
- Chill the champagne flute.
- Take a Boston shaker, fill it with ice and shake well with all the ingredients except the pine and heavy cream.
- Pour it into the flute, add the heavy cream to ensure that it provides a dripping appearance of the beautiful white tint on the vivid red.
- Garnish it with dried cherry and smoke the pine for the flavour and aroma.
- Place the smoking pine for the appeal of the mocktail.
PINEAPPLE AND WATERMELON MOJITO
Ingredients
Rum - 60 ml
Lemon wedges - 4-5
Sweet and sour mix - 10 ml
Mint leaves - 6-7
Cubes of watermelons and pineapples - 8-10 pieces
Method
- Take a mortar and pestle and slowly crush the ingredients with a splash of the rum until you have a very fine paste.
- After that, add the rest of the rum and let it infuse for a few minutes, then strain the mixture, and top with a bare splash of soda.
DRINKER’S STATEMENT
Ingredients
Vodka.. - 45 ml
Kahlua. - 15 ml
Black coffee.. - 60 ml
Dash of sugar syrup
Dash of Tabasco
Method
- Add all the ingredients in a shaker and shake well till it all blends.
- Serve chilled.
