Cocktail Recipes that will make you forget about 2020

Counting down to New Year’s Eve and we can’t wait. Since we’re all home we can get a little more creative with our cocktails and not have to pay for bottle service and the hefty ticket prices to be out. We’re gonna make a splash (or maybe feel like burning 2020 to the ground if you’re in that kinda mood) and hope that 2021 will be much kinder to us. Here are a few recipes …

Bailey’s Red Velvet Cupcake Martini (serves 1)

• 1.5 oz Bailey’s Red Velvet Cupcake
• 0.75 oz Vodka

1. Add Bailey’s and Vodka into an ice-filled shaker.
2. Shake and pour into a martini glass.
3. Option: crumble a chocolate or red velvet cupcake on top as a garnish.

*********************

Set 2020 on Fire Martini (serves 1)

Rim: white sugar

• 2 fresh ginger slivers
• 1/4 oz (1/2 Tbsp) Tabasco Original Sauce
• 2 oz (1/4 cup) coconut milk
• 1 oz (2 Tbsp) orgeat syrup (a syrup made with almonds. You can substitute with Amaretto)
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 2 oz (1/4 cup) Kracken Spiced Rum

Garnish: 1 lime wedge

1. Rim the edge of a martini glass with white sugar.
2. In a shaker, slightly crush the ginger slivers.
3. Add all other ingredients and add ice. Shake for 5 to 8 seconds and filter with a cocktail strainer and a fine strainer.
4. Top up with a lime wedge.

*********************

Burn the Countdown (serves 1)

• 1/4 oz (1/2 Tbsp) Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce
• 1/4 oz (1/2 Tbsp) vegetable oil
• 1 oz (2 Tbsp) pomegranate syrup
• 3/4 oz (1-1/2 Tbsp) lime juice
• 1 oz (2 Tbsp) Crystal Head Vodka
• 1 oz (2 Tbsp) Mandarine Napoleon Liqueur
• Garnish: lime wedge, pomegranate seeds, tonic water to taste

1. Place all ingredients in the shaker and add ice.
2. Shake for 5 to 8 seconds and filter with a cocktail strainer onto the ice. Garnish with lime and pomegranate seeds, to taste.
3. Add tonic water, to taste.

*********************

Hot Apple Cider Sake Martini (serves 1)

• 6 oz (3/4 cup) apple cider
• 2 oz (1/4 cup) sake
• cinnamon stick

1. Pour apple cider and sake into a small pot and simmer until preferred warmth
2. pour into mug
3. garnish with a cinnamon stick

*********************

Spiced Rum Homemade Egg Nog (6 servings)

• 6 eggs
• 6 oz (3/4 cup) sugar
• 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg, plus additional for garnish
• 6 oz (3/4 cup) brandy
• 4 oz (1/2 cup) spiced or dark rum
• 3 1/2 cups low-fat milk
• 4 oz (1/2 cup) heavy cream

1. Using the Bottom Blades in the Ninja Ultima Pitcher, add the eggs and sugar.
2. Select Speed 1 and flip the switch to START. Slowly increase to Speed 6 and blend for 10 seconds. Add all of the remaining ingredients and blend for 30 seconds.*
3. Chill completely before serving. Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.

Go over the top — garnish with marshmallows, candy sticks, chocolate shavings, cookie sticks (like Pocky)

*Recipe source: Ninjakitchen.com

*********************

And for those who want a non-alcoholic cocktail…

Ceder’s Classic  & Tonic (serves 1)

• 50 mL Ceder’s Classic (non-alcoholic Gin)
• 150 mL premium tonic (we love Fever Tree)
• slice lemon
• Rosemary sprig

1. In a highball glass, pour Ceder’s and tonic over ice
2. Garnish with lemon and Rosemary

*********************

Classic Old Fashioned (serves 1)

• 2 oz Bulleit Bourbon
• 1 tbsp of simple syrup*
• heavy handed dash of bitters
• Cocktail cherry- we prefer Jack Rudy Bourbon Cocktail Cherries
• Orange Wedge or Dried Wheel

1. In a short rocks glass, pour bourbon over ice- preferably a single solid orb of ice which melts super slow.
2. Add bitters, simple syrup and orange. Jostle slightly to ensure blended.

*Simple syrup can be made by simmering equal parts water and sugar over low heat until sugar is fully melted.