Unique Drink Recipes for New Year's

Beer and Wine along with the standard mixed drinks, are usually the staple beverages for a party. New Year's Eve is always a time for celebration, and a time to make a party extra special. To make your New Year's Eve party one to remember, how about serving different types of drinks to add to the festivities? I have searched the Internet and found some awesome drink recipe ideas to share with you.

This one sounds wonderful! It is called the Candy Cane Cocktail. The added candy cane garnish would add a dash of flavor and color.

1 shot vanilla rum
1 shot white chocolate liqueur (recommended: Godiva)
1 shot peppermint schnapps
Candy cane, garnish

Add all liquid ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into martini glass. Garnish with candy cane.

Do you have any leftover Ginger Bread cookies from Christmas? This recipe would be a great way to use them as a garnish, as well as give your guests a taste treat in their drink. Here is the Gingerbread Martini Recipe.

1 shot vanilla vodka
1 shot hazelnut-flavored liqueur (recommended: Frangelico)
1/2 shot butterscotch schnapps
Ice cubes
4 ounces ginger beer (recommended: Reed's Ginger Brew)
Float dark rum
Gingerbread man cookie (recommended: Pepperidge Farm), for garnish

Pour first 3 ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into high ball glass or any 8-ounce glass filled with ice. Top with ginger beer. Pour a little dark rum over the back of a spoon and float on top of the ginger beer. Garnish with a gingerbread man cookie.

For a fruity type drink, the following recipe offers just that. I would suggest serving with a lemon wedge garnish.

Gin Plush

4 ice cubes
1/3 cup gin
1/4 cup guava nectar
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup club soda, chilled

Place ice cubes and all ingredients in a large cocktail glass. Stir together and serve immediately.

This Scarlett O'Brandy recipe would also be a great one to serve at your New Year's Eve Party. It sounds tart, but refreshing.

1 cup crushed ice
1/3 cup Southern Comfort
1/3 cup cranberry juice cocktail
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, or sweetened lime juice
1 orange wedges, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients except orange wedge. Cover and shake for 15 seconds. Strain into a glass and garnish with the orange wedge. Serve immediately.

What New Year's Eve party would be complete without Champagne to toast in the New Year? Here is a recipe for a delicious Champagne Punch:

1 can (20-ounce) crushed pineapple in heavy syrup
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup maraschino cherry juice
1 cup dark rum
1/2 cup brandy
1 bottle (750 ml) chilled inexpensive Champagne

In a large punch bowl or pitcher, stir pineapple, lemon juice, cherry juice, rum, and brandy to blend. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Add Champagne just before serving.

Using a new drink recipe at your party will add a sparkle to the evening. Even if you don't find one of these recipes to your taste, you can explore the possibilities of serving just that special drink to make your party at New Year's a special one. Cheers to a Happy New Year!

Recipes courtesy of the Food Network and Sandra Lee:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_24451,00.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_86365,00.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_86367,00.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_28326,00.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_28329,00.html