Best Fizzy Cocktails to Toast New Years

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Fizzy Cocktails

Cary, NC- Are you looking for a novel way to kick off your New Year’s party? Try these festive fizzy cocktails.If you are like me, you probably don’t ever drink anything more adventurous than a glass of Prosecco, or maybe a pint of stout. New Year’s is the time to step out with something festive, especially if you are hosting a party.

Make your guests feel special with a cocktail you’ve concocted just for them, that maybe goes with the decor of the home, or contains your favorite mixer or spirits. Something mixed with champagne always works. Fizz says festive!

Try one of these 3 fizzy cocktails and let us know what you think.

Ginger Fizz

You can make the ginger syrup up to a week in advance, which frees your hands and mind to heat up some appetizers. Serve these babies in an up martini glasses.

For the Ginger Syrup:

  • one 3″ piece of ginger
  • 1/2 C granulated sugar
  • 1/2 C water
  1. Peel and slice the ginger.
  2. Add all ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
  3. Allow to cool.
  4. Strain syrup through a fine sieve into a small jar. Cover and chill (up to 1 week)

To Make the Cocktails:

  • Above ginger syrup
  • 2 Bottles of chilled  Prosecco or sparkling wine
  • 1 clementine, or small orange
  1. Pour 1/4 oz of the ginger syrup in each martini type glass
  2. Top off with about 5oz of chilled Prosecco
  3. Garnish with a think orange slice.

Makes about 8 cocktails

Champagne Cocktail

Just like folks used to sip in the 1920’s… you know, during prohibition when gin was all the rage. It’s making a comeback.

Ingredients:

For each drink:

  • 1-1/2 oz gin (one shot)
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup (that’s like above only hold the ginger)
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice, fresh squeezed preferred
  • sparkling wine

To Make:

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, simple syrup and lemon juice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass, top with sparkling wine and serve.

Hal’s Moonshine & Champagne Cocktail

Small batch, un-oaked spirits are a hot item, according to Liquor.com. Well, we’ve been making it in North Carolina for decades. The birthplace of NASCAR is the home of moonshine.

Folks have been making ‘shine from leftover farm produce for generations. In some parts, corn or potatoes or rye are used. Those types of mash produce whiskeys.

In North Carolina, fruit is often used. Peaches in particular are popular, but watermelon ‘shine is a delicious summer treat up near the Virginia border.

How do I know this? Never mind.

You can legally buy moonshine at the ABC store just a mile from my house in Preston Corners. It’s sold in a a cute little jug under the brand name Carolina Moonshine. It’s a peachy/fruity brandy and goes down smooth. This isn’t your Uncle Willy’s White Lightening.

Harking back to my days as a bartender, I’ve made up this champagne and moonshine cocktail just for you, Cary Citizens.

  • 2 oz moonshine
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • .5 oz simple syrup
  • Champagne
  • Glass: Flute
  • Garnish: Maraschino cherry or a raspberry

The cocktail is based on the recipe for making a French 75, but substitutes the moonshine for gin.

Simple syrup is just sugar dissolved in water, 1 part each (1 cup sugar to 1 cup water, for example). Usually, it’s done on the stove top or in the microwave.  Stir the sugar until it’s dissolved in the hot water and refrigerate.

Have a Safe & Happy New Year!

Have a very Happy New Year from the gang at CaryCitizen!