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Raise a glass to 2015 with these 4 cocktails

Whether you're throwing a party, laying low at home or bringing in the new year with your kids, we've got some pretty delicious drinks to raise a glass with. Here, Maureen Petrosky, author of "The Cocktail Club" shares her cocktail and mocktail recipes.Pomegranate MojitoIngredients1 ounce fresh lime juice6 mint leaves2 teaspoons superfine sugar2 ounces white rum2 ounces Pomegranate juiceClub soda

Whether you're throwing a party, laying low at home or bringing in the new year with your kids, we've got some pretty delicious drinks to raise a glass with. Here, Maureen Petrosky, author of "The Cocktail Club" shares her cocktail and mocktail recipes.

Pomegranate Mojito

Pomegarnate mojito
Today

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 6 mint leaves
  • 2 teaspoons superfine sugar
  • 2 ounces white rum
  • 2 ounces Pomegranate juice
  • Club soda to top
  • Garnish with lime wedge and pomegranate seeds

In a tall glass muddle together the lime juice, mint leaves and sugar. Add the rum and pomegranate juice and ice and stir to combine. 

Top with club soda and garnish with lime wedge and pomegranate seeds.

Pomegranate Fauxito
Big batch serves 12

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pomegranate juice
  • 1 liter lime flavored club soda
  • 8 sprigs of mint, washed and rolled to release flavors and aromas

Combine all ingredients in a large dispenser and serve over ice.

Nutella hot cocoa
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Nutella Hot Cocoa
Big batch serves 8

Ingredients

  • Big pot
  • 6 cups of milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Nutella
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Bring the milk to a simmer. Add the Nutella and stir until incorporated. Add cinnamon stick and keep arm on the stovetop for guest. Use a ladle to serve from the pot.

For spiked: Add 1-2 ounces of Cocoa Rum or dark rum, Frangelica (or another hazelnut Liqueur), Bourbon or chocolate mint liqueur.

For kids: Have different shaped marshmallows, different mugs or different flavored whipped creams.

Blueberry Juniper Cocktail

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce blueberry syrup (see recipe below)
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 2 ounces gin
  • Club soda

In a tall glass add the syrup. then add the lime juice. Fill with ice and add the gin. Top with a splash of club soda and serve with a stirrer.

Blueberry Juniper mocktail

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce blueberry syrup (see recipe below)
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • Club soda

In a glass add 2 ounces of blueberry syrup. Add ice and then top with club soda and frozen blueberries.

Blueberry simple syrup

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup blueberries

Combine these three ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to a low simmer and keep on low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and strain pressing the blueberries to get all of their juice. Chill.

Rock candy cocktail
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Honey Ginger Sparkler with Rock Candy stirrers (For adults)

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce Honey Ginger Syrup (see recipe below)
  • 3 ounces Champagne (must be brut or use a dry Cava like Frexeinet- no Prosecco)
  • Sugar for rimming the glasses
  • White rock candy stirrers

Use a little of the syrup to moisten the rim of each champagne flute, then lightly dip in coarsely granulated sugar. Add one ounce of the syrup to each glass. Place the stirrers in each glass and top with 3 ounces of Brut Champagne.

Honey Ginger Sparkler with Rock Candy Stirrers (For kids)

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce Honey Ginger Syrup
  • Sugar for rimming the glasses
  • Blue or turquoise rock candy stirrers
  • Club soda

Add 2 ounces of syrup to each glass, place a different colored rock candy stirrer in their glasses and top with club soda. 

Honey ginger syrup

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup clover honey
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 1/2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into coins (4 to 5 slices)
  • 1 strip of orange peel, removed with a peeler (no pith)

Combine the honey, water, star anise, ginger, and orange peel in a small sauce pan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to a slow simmer. Continue simmering for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain out the spices.