Seven Cocktails To Celebrate 2014

Ring in the New Year by enjoying one of these seven cocktails.

1. Veuve Clicquot: Keep it simple with a flute of champagne.

The Veuve Clicquot Metal Fridge. (Courtesy Photo)

2. Chocolate Pomegranate Fizz: A sweet way to start the New Year.

1 part JDK&Sons Crave Chocolate Liqueur

1/2 part DeKuyper Pomegranate Liqueur

1 part Passion Fruit Nectar

2 to 3 Pomegranate Seeds

Sparkling Wine

Directions: Combine all ingredients except sparkling wine in a cocktail shaker over ice and shake. Strain into a champagne flute and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist and pomegranate seeds dropped into the glass.

3. Cruzan Sparkling Estate Diamond: A refreshing libation to celebrate the start of 2014.

1 1/2 parts Cruzan Estate Diamond Dark Rum

3/4 parts Lime Juice

3/4 parts Honey Syrup

Sparkling Wine

Directions: Combine rum, juice and syrup over ice and shake for 15 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine.

4. Berry Tea Royale: If you’re exhausted from New Year’s Eve celebrations, sip on this cocktail created by James Labe for a caffeine boost.

1 oz. prepared Numi Berry Black Tea

1 oz. Crème de Cassis

3 oz. Champagne

Directions: Steep tea at 4X normal strength for 2 minutes, then remove tea bag and chill liquid for later use. Pour chilled tea and cassis into glass and stir. Tilt glass and slowly fill with Champagne. Serve without garnish.

Hornitos Holiday Horchata. (Courtesy Photo)

5. Kilbeggan Boyne: For a sweet New Year, this drink created by Josko Babic of KOH in Dublin, Ireland was named after the River Boyne, which flows through the Boyne Valley in Co. Meath – home of the best Irish honey.

2 parts Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

1 tsp. Boyne Valley Wildflower Honey (or any locally sourced honey)

1/2 part Oloroso Sherry

1 dash Bitters

Berry Tea Royale. (Courtesy Photo)

Directions: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir to dissolve the honey. Add cubed ice and stir once again for 20 to 30 seconds until the drink is chilled ice cold. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with orange peel.

6. Winter Survival: A tasty way to cure the winter blues.

1 part Michael Collins 10 year old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

1 part Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur

1 part Laird’s Bonded Applejack

Directions: In a mixing glass combine ingredients. Add ice and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice, garnish with a lemon twist.

7. Hornitos Holiday Horchata: Toast the end of the holiday season with this festive favorite.

1 part Hornitos Plata Tequila

1⁄2 part Coconut Water

1⁄2 part Almond Milk

Directions: Add all ingredients to a shaker over ice to chill. Shake, strain and pour into a shot glass rimmed with cinnamon and sugar.