New Year's Day Cocktails

Loaded or not, a Bloody Mary is a fun way to begin the new year.  If you're serving up a New Year's Day brunch, this is one drink you might enjoy adding to your menu.  Or if you're into a sweet tasting drink, another all-time favorite of mine is the Gin Fizz made with ice cream~

photo courtesy google image

Bloody Mary
Ingredients

•4 cups tomato juice (preferably Campbell's)
•1 cup dill pickle juice
•1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
•1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
•2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
•2 teaspoons curry powder
•1 teaspoon kosher salt
•1/2 teaspoon celery seeds or celery salt
•1/4 teaspoon black pepper
•2 cups vodka
•8 celery stalks
•8 lemon wedges

Preparation

Combine first 9 ingredients in a large pitcher. Chill overnight.

Add vodka to pitcher; stir well. Fill tall glasses with ice. Divide Bloody Mary cocktail among glasses. Garnish each with a celery stalk and a lemon wedge.

*This Bloody Mary recipe was adapted from Bon Appetit's version.


Another New Year's Day favorite is the Gin Fizz....

photo courtesy Bon Appetit

Ingredients

Citrus-blossom syrup

•2 cups water
•2 cups sugar
•1 tablespoon loosely packed fresh lemon verbena leaves (optional)
•1 orange
•1 lemon
•2 teaspoons orange-flower water extract

Drink

•6 cups ice cubes, divided
•1/2 cup gin, divided
•1 cup vanilla ice cream, divided
•4 large egg whites, divided
•4 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
•Freshly ground nutmeg
•Fresh lemon verbena sprigs (optional)

•Market tip:
Lemon verbena is sold at nurseries and some farmers' markets.

Preparation

For syrup:

•Mix 2 cups water, sugar, and lemon verbena, if desired, in medium saucepan. Using vegetable peeler, remove peel (colored part) from orange and lemon; add peel to saucepan. Bring sugar mixture to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes. Cool completely. Stir in orange-flower water. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and refrigerate.


For drinks:

•Combine 6 tablespoons syrup, 3 cups ice, 1/4 cup gin, 1/2 cup ice cream, 2 egg whites, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in blender. Blend until smooth and foamy. Divide among 4 glasses. Repeat with 6 tablespoons syrup and remaining ice, gin, cream, egg whites, and juice. Sprinkle drinks with nutmeg; garnish with lemon verbena sprigs, if desired.

Have a fantastic, safe and sane New Year's holiday! 

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