Vodka Cocktails for the New Year

New Year's Eve parties are always great to experiment with new and original drinks. People celebrate until passed midnight so there's plenty of time to try some interesting drinks and for the alcohol to wear off before going home.

Here I give you four of my original favorite recipes for drinks made with vodka. Please be sure to use brand name vodka, which will ensure that the cocktails taste their very best.

New Year Blizzard Martini

Pour 1.75 oz. vodka, .75 oz. peppermint schnapps and .5 white chocolate liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into a martini glass and finish off by sprinkling white chocolate shavings on top, or around the rim of the glass.

The 2009

Mix 1 oz. vodka, 2 oz. club soda, 1 oz. Chambord Liqueur and 1 oz. Pomegranate juice in a tumbler with ice. To make the drink look more festive make some colored ice cubes to put into the glass. Do this by using a drop of food coloring into the water and placing into an ice cube tray. Make a few different colors and use with your drinks that require ice.

Bonne Année

Shake 2 oz. vodka, 1 oz. Melon Liqueur, 1 oz. apple juice and 2 oz. tonic in a shaker with ice and pour into a martini glass. Garnish the glass with a New Year party favor (preferably made of plastic since it will be in the drink).

Strokes of Midnight

In a tall glass mix 2 oz. vodka, 2 oz. chilled grape juice, 1 oz. Chambord Liqueur and 3 oz. chilled club soda. Place 12 seedless grapes (they signify the 12 strokes of midnight) into each glass you serve. As a finishing touch tie some colorful ribbons around the glass. This can be a drink that you pass to each guest at your party as the official drink to ring in the New Year.

Hopefully these original drinks will make for a fun and memorable New Year's party for you and your guests. Please remember to make sure that anyone who's tried a few of these drinks let the alcohol wear out before driving. Have a great time, party responsibly and Happy New Year 2009!