I thought I was the most special little girl ever!!! Happy memories!!
but...I tried these and the Pink Lady is not too shabby...
What’s a better opportunity to bring back old-fashioned cocktails than New Year’s Eve? Here are some great ideas for classic drinks to serve at your New Year’s party or family gathering – including a couple of mocktails for the kiddies. Happy bartending!
Whiskey Sour
This was my mom’s drink of choice growing up, and when I turned twenty-one, it was my first cocktail! Ok, so even though this became a classy drink, it’s origins aren’t so glam. The tradition started when British sailors started adding lime juice to their rum to prevent scurvy. Yikes! Also, since lime juice is perishable, they would add whiskey to preserve it. Whiskey sour, literally. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then. Here’s a much more appetizing recipe for your version of this classic drink:
Ingredients
Whiskey Sour
This was my mom’s drink of choice growing up, and when I turned twenty-one, it was my first cocktail! Ok, so even though this became a classy drink, it’s origins aren’t so glam. The tradition started when British sailors started adding lime juice to their rum to prevent scurvy. Yikes! Also, since lime juice is perishable, they would add whiskey to preserve it. Whiskey sour, literally. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then. Here’s a much more appetizing recipe for your version of this classic drink:
Ingredients
- 2 oz whiskey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½-1 teaspoon super fine sugar
- 3 ice cubes
- 1 orange or lemon slice or peel
- Maraschino cherry
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except the fruit slice or peel and cherry in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a sour or Delmonico glass and garnish with the fruit and cherry.
French 75
This classy beverage was invented in 1915 at a Parisian bar called, why not, Harry’s New York Bar. It was named after the French 75mm field gun because of the shot in the gut you feel after drinking one. Proceed with caution!
Ingredients
Combine all ingredients except the fruit slice or peel and cherry in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a sour or Delmonico glass and garnish with the fruit and cherry.
French 75
This classy beverage was invented in 1915 at a Parisian bar called, why not, Harry’s New York Bar. It was named after the French 75mm field gun because of the shot in the gut you feel after drinking one. Proceed with caution!
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 5 oz Brut champagne
- 1 lemon peel
Instructions
In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, sugar, and lemon juice and shake well with cracked ice. Fill a champagne flute partway with ice and strain the gin mixture into it. Top off with champagne. Garnish with a lemon peel.
Sidecar
In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, sugar, and lemon juice and shake well with cracked ice. Fill a champagne flute partway with ice and strain the gin mixture into it. Top off with champagne. Garnish with a lemon peel.
Sidecar
Like the French 75, this classic was invented around World War I in Paris. The Ritz Hotel takes credit, but no one’s sure if they really invented it. Anyway, here’s how to make this old-timey favorite:
Ingredients
- ¾ oz Cointreau
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- 1 ½ oz cognac
- Sugar
Instructions
Shake well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass that has had its outside rim rubbed with lemon juice and dipped in sugar.
Tom Collins
Shake well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass that has had its outside rim rubbed with lemon juice and dipped in sugar.
Tom Collins
One of the older drinks on this list, the Tom Collins originated from an 1876 hoax in which people would trick others into thinking someone named “Tom Collins” was talking about them, then repeat supposed awful things this Tom Collins guy had said…it got so out of hand that newspapers at the time even reported on Tom Collins sightings! At least we got a yummy cocktail out of it…this one has lasted through the ages.Ingredients
- 2 oz London dry gin
- 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- Club soda
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
Combine ingredients in a Collins glass ¾ full of cracked ice. Stir briefly, top with club soda or seltzer, garnish with maraschino cherry, and serve with stirring rod.
Gimlet
The gimlet is another classic cocktail with less than savory origins. Yep, I’m talking about sailors and scurvy again. But moving on, the gimlet later became popular as a thirst quencher in the tropical British colonies during the early part of the 20th century. The gimlet then took hold in London during the 1920s and 30s. Although it’s traditionally served in a lowball glass, you can also serve it in a martini glass. This drink is also commonly garnished with mint or basil.
Ingredients
Combine ingredients in a Collins glass ¾ full of cracked ice. Stir briefly, top with club soda or seltzer, garnish with maraschino cherry, and serve with stirring rod.
Gimlet
The gimlet is another classic cocktail with less than savory origins. Yep, I’m talking about sailors and scurvy again. But moving on, the gimlet later became popular as a thirst quencher in the tropical British colonies during the early part of the 20th century. The gimlet then took hold in London during the 1920s and 30s. Although it’s traditionally served in a lowball glass, you can also serve it in a martini glass. This drink is also commonly garnished with mint or basil.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin (or vodka)
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- ¼ oz simple syrup
- Lime wedges or circles for garnish
Instructions
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a lowball or martini glass. Garnish with lime circles or wedges.
Harvey Wallbanger
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a lowball or martini glass. Garnish with lime circles or wedges.
Harvey Wallbanger
The Harvey Wallbanger (what a name) was invented by LA mixologist Duke Antone in the 50s. It’s named for the effect it has on the person drinking it, so maybe keep this one away from your more gregarious friends and relatives.
Ingredients
- 1 oz vodka
- 4 oz orange juice
- ½ oz Gailiano
- Orange circles or wedges and maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
Pour vodka and orange juice into a Collins glass over ice cubes and stir. Float the Gailiano on top. Garnish with orange circles or wedges and maraschino cherry and serve.
Pour vodka and orange juice into a Collins glass over ice cubes and stir. Float the Gailiano on top. Garnish with orange circles or wedges and maraschino cherry and serve.
White Russian
The White Russian first appeared in 1949 as a Black Russian, then became a White Russian when a bartender decided to add cream. Why not kick back with this decadent cocktail during your annual holiday movie marathon?
Ingredients
The White Russian first appeared in 1949 as a Black Russian, then became a White Russian when a bartender decided to add cream. Why not kick back with this decadent cocktail during your annual holiday movie marathon?
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 3/4 oz coffee liqueur
- 3/4 oz cream
Instructions
Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Stir the mixture. Fill with light cream and serve.
Sloe Gin Fizz
The fizz is associated with New Orleans, where it originated. This kind of cocktail became popular nationally between 1900 and 1940. The sloe gin fizz in particular is a favorite reference in country music, and is commonly served out of a pitcher. Keep a batch in the fridge for guests who just need to take the edge off.
Ingredients
Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Stir the mixture. Fill with light cream and serve.
Sloe Gin Fizz
The fizz is associated with New Orleans, where it originated. This kind of cocktail became popular nationally between 1900 and 1940. The sloe gin fizz in particular is a favorite reference in country music, and is commonly served out of a pitcher. Keep a batch in the fridge for guests who just need to take the edge off.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces sloe gin
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
- club soda
- 1 egg white
- Slice of orange or cherry, for garnish
Instructions
Shake well with ice in a chilled cocktail shaker. Strain into a small, chilled Collins glass. Use a soda siphon (to create foam) or just splash the club soda or seltzer in so it can foam. Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry, and serve.
Pink Lady
The pink lady became popular during prohibition. Because the quality of gin during this era was often questionable, bartenders added sweet ingredients to mask the flavor. After prohibition, the pink lady became a popular drink among women and became known as the quintessential “girly” drink.
Ingredients
Shake well with ice in a chilled cocktail shaker. Strain into a small, chilled Collins glass. Use a soda siphon (to create foam) or just splash the club soda or seltzer in so it can foam. Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry, and serve.
Pink Lady
The pink lady became popular during prohibition. Because the quality of gin during this era was often questionable, bartenders added sweet ingredients to mask the flavor. After prohibition, the pink lady became a popular drink among women and became known as the quintessential “girly” drink.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz applejack
- 1/4 oz lemon juice
- 1-2 dashes grenadine
- 1 egg white
- Maraschino cherry and lime circle for garnish
Instructions
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker has frosted. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass to serve. Garnish with the cherry and lime circle.
Grasshopper
This is another drink that originated in the Big Easy, at a bar called Tujague’s. It became widely popular in the South during the 1950s and 60s as an after dinner drink.
Ingredients
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker has frosted. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass to serve. Garnish with the cherry and lime circle.
Grasshopper
This is another drink that originated in the Big Easy, at a bar called Tujague’s. It became widely popular in the South during the 1950s and 60s as an after dinner drink.
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz cream
- 3/4 oz creme de cacao, white
- 3/4 oz green crème de menthe
Instructions
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.
Mocktails for the Kids
It’s no fun being the only one in a room without a drink. Let the kids join in with these classic mocktails.
Shirley Temple
This non-alcoholic beverage was invented by a bartender at Chasen’s in Beverly Hills to hide actress Shirley Temple’s growing drinking problem from the public. From those dubious origins it has become a standard mocktail to offer kids on special occasions.
Ingredients
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.
Mocktails for the Kids
It’s no fun being the only one in a room without a drink. Let the kids join in with these classic mocktails.
Shirley Temple
This non-alcoholic beverage was invented by a bartender at Chasen’s in Beverly Hills to hide actress Shirley Temple’s growing drinking problem from the public. From those dubious origins it has become a standard mocktail to offer kids on special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 slices lime
- 2 maraschino cherries
- Ice
- 1 tablespoon grenadine syrup
- 8 oz ginger ale
Instructions
Muddle two slices of fresh lime and one maraschino cherry in a glass. Add ice, grenadine syrup, and ginger ale. Garnish with a second maraschino cherry.
Roy Rogers
The Roy Rogers was invented to serve to the actor Roy Rogers, known on television for his mad cowboying skills. Made with cola, it’s sure to be hit with the little dudes at your New Year’s Eve shindig.
Ingredients
Muddle two slices of fresh lime and one maraschino cherry in a glass. Add ice, grenadine syrup, and ginger ale. Garnish with a second maraschino cherry.
Roy Rogers
The Roy Rogers was invented to serve to the actor Roy Rogers, known on television for his mad cowboying skills. Made with cola, it’s sure to be hit with the little dudes at your New Year’s Eve shindig.
Ingredients
- Ice
- 8 oz cola
- ½ oz grenadine
- 2 maraschino cherries
Instructions
Fill a 12 ounce highball glass with ice and add the cola and grenadine. Stir gently with a cocktail straw or spoon to combine. Garnish with the maraschino cherries and serve.
There we have it! Now, you’re ready to bartend your own NYE party!
What cocktail do you think is due for a comeback?
Fill a 12 ounce highball glass with ice and add the cola and grenadine. Stir gently with a cocktail straw or spoon to combine. Garnish with the maraschino cherries and serve.
There we have it! Now, you’re ready to bartend your own NYE party!
What cocktail do you think is due for a comeback?
