31 New Year’s Cocktails to Clink When the Clock Strikes Midnight

Read Time: 22 mins

31 New Year’s Cocktails to Clink When the Clock Strikes Midnight1/31 Espresso Martini Test Kitchen Approved Espresso Martini Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a change of pace from mimosas, serve this wake-up cocktail for your next brunch. Coffee lovers will thank you. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Total Time: 10 minutes Level: Easy The secret to getting a frothy top on an espresso martini? Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker for at least 10 to 15 seconds. You’ll know it’s done when you

see condensation begin to form on the outside of the shaker

see condensation begin to form on the outside of the shaker. Of course, you can always take a shortcut and blend the ingredients into a frozen espresso martini. “For a change of pace from mimosas, serve this wake-up cocktail for your next brunch. Coffee lovers will thank you.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 2/31 Kir Royal Test Kitchen Approved Kir Royal Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A simple cocktail, the Kir Royale calls for only three ingredients—sparkling wine, creme de cassis and fresh raspberries. Mixed

The ruby-hued beverage will look elegant in a slender champagne flute

together, it creates a beautiful ruby-hued drink that’ll surely become your favorite sparkling cocktail. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Total Time: 5 minutes Level: Easy Grab a bottle of Prosecco (or any Italian sparkling wine) and whip up this three-ingredient bubbly cocktail. The ruby-hued beverage will look elegant in a slender champagne flute. “A simple cocktail, the Kir Royale calls for only three ingredients—sparkling wine, creme de cassis and fresh raspberries. Mixed together, it creates a beautiful ruby-hued drink that’ll surely become your favorite sparkling cocktail.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 3/31 French 75 Test Kitchen Approved SARAH

The version here uses less gin

TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 5 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: French 75 was a drink created at Harry’s New York Bar, which is located in Paris France, during WWI. The original version of the drink had a powerful kick, like a French 75 mm artillery gun. The version here uses less gin. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Total Time: 5 minutes Level: Easy This simple cocktail elevates basic champagne with lemon juice, gin and confectioners’ sugar. It’s ideal for a midnight toast, but it’s tasty enough to sip all night long.

The version here uses less gin.”

“French 75 was a drink created at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France, during WWI. The original version of the drink had a powerful kick, like a French 75 mm artillery gun. The version here uses less gin.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 4/31 Champagne Cocktail 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Champagne Cocktail Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This amber champagne cocktail is a bubbly twist on the traditional old-fashioned. Try it with extra dry champagne. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Total Time: 5

“This amber drink is a champagne twist on the traditional old-fashioned

minutes Level: Easy Spruce up a budget bottle of champagne with bitters, brandy and a hint of sugar, then garnish with rosemary and cranberries. I like to use cheap champagne for this cocktail, saving the more expensive bottles to sip without a mixer. “This amber drink is a champagne twist on the traditional old-fashioned. Try it with extra dry champagne.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 5/31 Spiced Apple Cider Jelly Shots 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Spiced Apple Cider Jelly Shots Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 64 squares Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Creator: These spiced, spiked gelatin squares are sure to get the party started at fall get-togethers. If you’re going for the more traditional shot-style look, pour the mixture into 2-ounce plastic cups and refrigerate until set. —Rachel Seis, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Total Time: 20 minutes + chilling Level: Easy You probably haven’t had a Jell-O shot since college, but they’re having a moment! This classier version features apple cider, ginger-flavored vodka and bitters, and it’ll be a surprisingly fun addition to any New Year’s party. Dust the shots with cinnamon sugar before serving to give them a vibrant finishing flourish. “These

—Recipe contributor Rachel Seis, Senior Editor, Taste of Home 6/31

spiced, spiked gelatin squares are sure to get the party started at fall get-togethers. If you’re going for the more traditional shot-style look, pour the mixture into 2-ounce plastic cups and refrigerate until set.” —Recipe contributor Rachel Seis, Senior Editor, Taste of Home 6/31 Mulled Wine 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This mulled wine is soothing and satisfying with a delightful blend of spices warmed to perfection. Refrigerating the wine mixture overnight allows the flavors to blend, so don’t omit

this essential step

this essential step. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Total Time: 45 minutes + chilling Level: Advanced This recipe takes a bit of prep time—you’ll need to refrigerate it overnight before serving. However, the complex flavor will make your New Year’s Eve guests rave. “This mulled wine is soothing and satisfying with a delightful blend of spices warmed to perfection. Refrigerating the wine mixture overnight allows the flavors to blend, so don’t omit this essential step.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 7/31 Spiced White Sangria 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Spiced White Sangria Recipe photo by Taste of Home

It’s a refreshing change from traditional red sangria

Total Time 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been making this recipe for more than 20 years. My husband and I are in the wine and spirits business and we served it at one of our first dinner parties after we were married. It’s a refreshing change from traditional red sangria. —Ellen Folkman, Crystal Beach, Florida Total Time: 15 minutes + chilling Level: Intermediate Shake things up with a not-so-traditional New Year’s Eve libation. Sangria recipes are fantastic for any holiday, and this spiced version will surely be a success. Plus, it’s made

in large batches that serve 10, so it’s great for a big party

in large batches that serve 10, so it’s great for a big party. “I’ve been making this recipe for more than 20 years. My husband and I are in the wine and spirits business and we served it at one of our first dinner parties after we were married. It’s a refreshing change from traditional red sangria.” —Recipe contributor Ellen Folkman, Crystal Beach, Florida 8/31 Holiday Mimosa Test Kitchen Approved Holiday Mimosa Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Add a splash of color to your brunch

table with this rosy holiday mimosa

table with this rosy holiday mimosa. It has a fantastic sweet-tart taste. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana Total Time: 5 minutes Level: Easy Pull out your holiday flutes or prettiest stemmed cocktail glasses for this festive drink! For the best results, I recommend using 100% cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail. The drink already includes sweetness from the raspberry liqueur, so real cranberry juice will make it delightfully tart. “Add a splash of color to your brunch table with this lovely rosy mimosa. It has a fantastic sweet-tart taste.” —Recipe contributor Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana 9/31 Pear & Ginger Sparkler

However, the cocktail will

1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Pear & Ginger Sparkler Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 18 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this twist on a Bellini when a friend gave me some Asian pears she grew in her backyard. If you like ginger and want more of a kick, try substituting ginger liqueur for the vodka. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California Total Time: 30 minutes + cooling Level: Easy This festive twist on a bellini doesn’t require a cocktail shaker—the drink is mixed in a blender. However, the cocktail will

have the best texture if it’s strained through a fine mesh strainer

have the best texture if it’s strained through a fine mesh strainer. If you don’t have a dedicated drink strainer, the one you use to strain pasta will work just fine. “I created this twist on a Bellini when a friend gave me some Asian pears she grew in her backyard. If you like ginger and want more of a kick, try substituting ginger liqueur for the vodka.” —Recipe contributor Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California 10/31 Pineapple Cider Wassail 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Pineapple Cider Wassail Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 14 servings

To make it nonalcoholic, omit the rum

(about 2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pineapple juice prevents this hot drink from becoming overly sweet. Skip the rum—without sacrificing flavor—for a beverage that’s appropriate for guests of all ages.—Lori Schmeling, Hartland, Wisconsin Total Time: 30 minutes Level: Easy Apple cider, pineapple juice, apricot nectar and orange juice join forces with spices like cinnamon, cloves and cardamom for a warm, satisfying sipper that will make your home smell incredible. To make it nonalcoholic, omit the rum. “Pineapple juice prevents this hot drink from becoming overly sweet. Skip the rum—without sacrificing flavor—for a beverage that’s appropriate for

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