As the year draws to a close, what better way to celebrate than with a selection of delightful cocktails that will elevate your festivities? These simple yet elegant drinks are perfect for toasting the memories made in 2024 and the adventures that lie ahead in 2025. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying an intimate evening with loved ones, these cocktails will add a touch of sophistication and flavor to your celebrations.
Dark Chocolate Martini
Ingredients
2 tablespoons raw sugar
2 tablespoons finely chopped dark chocolate
2 ounces chocolate liqueur
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce chilled espresso
½ teaspoon fresh orange juice
1 strip of orange zest
Directions
Mix raw sugar and finely chopped dark chocolate on a plate. Combine chocolate liqueur and vodka, chilled espresso, fresh orange juice, and a strip of orange zest in a cocktail shaker with ice; stir well. Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass and dip it in the sugar-chocolate mixture. Strain the cocktail into the glass and garnish with a dried orange wedge and raspberry. Recipe from foodnetwork.com.
French 75 with Cognac
Ingredients
1 ounce Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac
1/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
4 ounces Champagne
Directions
Shake Cognac, lemon, and simple syrup with ice and strain into a chilled champagne flute glass. Top slowly with 3 to 4 ounces of Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist. Recipe from foodrepublic.com.
Gin Old Fashioned
Simple Syrup
200 grams grapes
200 grams sugar
Zest of 5 limes and 3 lemons
Ingredients
½ ounce of the syrup
2 dashes of Scrappy’s burnt lemon bitters
1½ ounces of Nikka Kofi Gin
½ ounce Junipero smoked rosemary
Directions
Mix together ingredients with ice. Stir, then strain into a glass with fresh ice. Recipe from @daveymakesdrinks.