Food

Down the Blues: 4 winter cocktails for your New Year’s Eve party

DEC 28, 2015 | By Aditi Sharma Maheshwari

Don’t let your soiree be a cold affair – pick the right libation for the season and prance around in high spirits. These four cocktails with a little pick-me-up and other seasonal flavours will warm you up and guarantee an evening of fun…and a great start to the new year!
1. Mulled Wine by Amol Shambharkar, Executive Chef, Golden Tulip Vasundhara, New Delhi120 ml red wine, 15 ml brandy, 15 ml orange juice, 20 ml honey, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 star anise and cloves, 1 orange slice
MethodSimmer the wine with cinnamon stick, star anise and cloves. Add brandy, orange juice to the concoction. Serve hot. 2. Dawn by Vikas Pathak, Executive Chef, Blue Frog, Bengaluru60 ml Absolute vodka, 4 fresh malta orange, 6 mint leaves, 15 ml lime juice, 15 ml sugar syrupMethodMuddle oranges in a cocktail shaker. Add mint leaves and muddle softly. Now add lime juice and sugar syrup and continue to muddle the mixture. Pour vodka. Shake for 10 seconds and double strain in a Martini glass. Garnish with a mint sprig.
3. Champagne with a Blink by Umang Garg, Culinary Expert, Mafia Lounge & Bar, New Delhi
1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup light colour corn syrup, 1/4 cup water, 3 tbsp finely snipped candied ginger, 1/4 cup vodka, 750 ml bottle of chilled champagne
MethodIn a small saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, water and candied ginger. Bring to boil then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes and remove from heat. Stir in vodka and cool to room temperature. Cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight. Strain vodka mixture to remove the candied ginger and discard the ginger. Pour vodka mixture into a large bowl. Slowly pour champagne. Stir gently. To serve, ladle the drink into champagne glasses or punch cups. Serve immediately.
4. Wolf of BKCDimitri Lezinska, Bartender, The Good Wife, Mumbai
35 ml Jim Beam, 15 ml Creme de Cacao dark, 7.5 ml lime juice, 22.5 ml fresh pineapple puree, 15 ml black cardamom syrup
Method Pour all ingredients into a shaker. Shake and double strain into a rock glass full of ice. Garnish with orange peel. Also read: Create a magnificent dinner spread with ease