hey! There are hardly any days left before our calendar changes to 2022. so are you ready to welcome it? whether you are planning a party or having a quiet night with your special someone, the perfect cocktail will make the toast to the new year that much better.

creamy snowy deliciousness

if you are into creamy cocktails, then the driven snow cocktail should be your pick. it has rum, white chocolate, and ginger liqueurs. what could be better?

serves 1

what you need

1 ounce ginger liqueur

1 ½ ounce white chocolate liqueur

1 ounce blackstrap rum

water

ice

time to make it

step 1- Start by combining the rum and the white chocolate and ginger liqueur, blackstrap rum with ice in a cocktail shaker.

step 2- after shaking vigorously, strain into prepared glass.

you would love this one with a side of bite-sized gingerbread cookies.

warm tea and cider punch

this one is just the best drink for a chilly outdoor gathering. add to the warmth by gathering around a fire and sharing stories till the year comes to an end.

serves 6

what you need

8 english breakfast tea bags

1 sliced lemon

6 cups fresh apple cider

4 ½ ounces bourbon

time to make it

step 1: Start by bringing 6 cups of fresh apple cider to a boil in a large saucepan.

step 2- after the apple cider has come to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the cider is reduced to 3 cups. it will take around 30 to 45 minutes

step 3- once the cider is reduced, remove from the heat and add the English breakfast tea bags along with 1 sliced lemon. steeped the lemon and the tea bags for 4 minutes.

step 4- after you discard the tea bags, stir in 4 ½ ounces of bourbon.

serve warm and enjoy a warm evening with your friends. oh, and skip the bourbon if you prefer keeping it non-alcoholic.

cranberry gin fizz

cranberry just makes everything better. doesn’t it? If you are a fan of cranberries, then this will be a definite win. While it’s a go-to Christmas cocktail, it will do wonders for a new year’s toast as well.

serves 2

what you need

for the cranberry syrup

½ cup cranberries

4 sprigs of fresh thyme

3/4th cup granulated sugar

3/4th cup water

for the cocktail

2 ounces gin

3/4th ounces cranberry syrup

½ ounces elderflower liquor

ice

club soda

3/4th ounces fresh lemon juice

time to make it

cranberry syrup

step 1- start by gathering all the ingredients and simmering all the cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes.

step 2- once the sugar dissolves and the cranberries break down, stir in fresh thyme and let it cool down to room temperature.

step 3- strain it and discard the solids to have your cranberry syrup ready.

and now for the cocktail

Step 1: In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, the delicious cranberry syrup you just made, fresh lemon juice, and the elderflower liquor.

step 2- shake it till it’s completely chilled. then strain into 2 glasses.

step 3- add club soda and ice to the mix.

finally, your cranberry wonderland can be served with a sprig of fresh thyme and fresh cranberries.

so here are our top picks for the best drinks you can have on New Year’s Eve; whether it be a small or a large gathering.

try them and tell us if you like them. don't forget tag us @liveaastey if you make them.

take care! live aastey!