We are getting ever so close to saying good-bye to 2011 and saying hello to 2012 so, to help ring in the new year with some flair, here are some retro drink recipes/ ideas for your upcoming New Year’s party or gathering:

The first is a “Caribbean Champagne Cocktail” that is guaranteed to liven up any holiday gathering:

1/2 oz. light rum

1/2 oz. banana liqueur

Dash of Angostura bitters

Top off with champagne or prosecco

Pour all the ingredients into a champagne flute and serve

Garnish with slices of a banana and a maraschino cherry on a skewer and place at the top of the flute

Relations between the U.S. and Russia were strained in the 1950’s, as the name “Moscow Mule” suggests:

1 & ½  oz. vodka

¼  oz. of fresh squeezed lime juice

Top off with ginger ale or ginger beer

Pour the vodka & lime juice into a chilled highball glass filled with ice

Fill the glass to the brim with ginger ale or ginger beer

Garnish with a slice of lime

The “Tequila Sunrise” may have originated in Mexico during prohibition, when Californians drove across the border to enjoy legal hits of liquor. And we think times are tough… :

2 oz. tequila

5 oz. orange juice

½  oz. grenadine

Pour tequila and orange juice into a highball glass filled with ice and stir

Pour the grenadine in a circle around the top of the drink and let it fall to the bottom

Garnish with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry

Invented in the 40’s at Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy, the fragrant “Bellini” cocktail caught on with Americans in the 1950’s:

4 oz. champagne or prosecco

1oz chilled peach juice

Pour the champagne or prosecco into a chilled champagne flute and lightly stir

Garnish with either a slice of peach or a strawberry

More commonly made with brandy, the “Alexander” is a creamy delight that was originally made with gin and made popular in the U.S. in the 1950’s:

2 oz. gin

1 oz. crème de cocoa

1 oz heavy cream

Shake ingredients vigorously in a martini shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass

Sprinkle with a dash of cocoa power or cinnamon

Make these retro cocktails a part of your New Year’s celebration festivities! Have a safe and joyous New Year! 

Cheers to you!

Brad Wermager