December 2021 | Cook Now

The Best of 2021

Another year gone by. What can I say? 2021 seems, in many ways, to be an extension of 2020, somehow both flying by and dragging along at the same time. Almost like time has no meaning anymore.

Would you believe I’ve been blogging for nearly 15 years? I threw a brunch party for the big 1-0, perhaps I’ll figure out a different (more socially-distanced) way to celebrate this new milestone come February. Because 15 years is no small feat in the blogging world, I’m practically ancient!

I may have posted a bit less this year than in past years, but I feel like the quality of my posts and recipes has continued to improve. Or maybe I’m just becoming more of a perfectionist as I get older, leading to me scrapping recipe ideas that I would have deemed perfectly acceptable in years past.

Longer posts, more photos, more thorough and obsessive recipe testing… the sheer amount of hours that go in to a single post boggles my mind sometimes, especially when compared to my… er… brevity in earlier years (I used to just throw up a single image, a paragraph or two, and call it day. Imagine that.)

I definitely get frustrated at times, when I’ve tested a recipe 5 times and it’s fine but I know it could be better, or when the light isn’t cooperating or the final product doesn’t look as appetizing as it should be. I fully admit to taking my frustration out on some baked goods on more than one occasion.

But then I remember the reason I do this: because feeding people is my love language, and since I can’t possible invite you all over for dinner, sharing recipes in this space that’s essentially a virtual dining table, recipes that you in turn share with your families? That’s what makes it all worth while for me. (I won’t deny the fact that getting paid to bake is a pretty sweet deal too, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t part of the reason I’m still here. And for that I thank you for your continued support; every click and comment and like supports me and allows me to take that time to continue to create new recipes for you.)

(more…)

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20 New Years Drinks & Cocktails

Here are the best New Years drinks to ring in the year! Try everything from champagne New Years Eve cocktails to cozy brunch drinks.

New Years drinks, New Years cocktails, New Years eve drinks, New Years eve cocktails

Ready to ring in the New Year? New Years is the perfect time to celebrate with a signature drink! There are lots of options for classy cocktails: whether you love sparkling wine or want something a little more outside the box. And don’t forget about New Years Day: there are lots of great brunch cocktails for enjoying the morning after.

Here are all the best New Years drinks and cocktails to try! Try the classic champagne cocktail as a New Years Eve drink, or a round of Bloody Marys or mimosas for cozy New Years cocktail for brunch. And we’ve got just about everything in between. Let’s get mixing!

And now…the best New Years drinks and cocktails!

The Classic Champagne Cocktail

Here’s the easiest New Years drink with the most stunning result: the classic Champagne cocktail! Are you celebrating the new year? Because this is the drink for you. Adding a sugar cube to champagne makes a fountain of bubbles that positively sparkles! It takes any party to celebration status with just a few simple ingredients.

Kir Royale

Want an easy drink that’s festive and sophisticated? There’s nothing better as a New Years cocktail than a Kir Royale! This famous French cocktail stars black currant liqueur and sparkling wine: and the berries and bubbles suit each other perfectly. The best cocktail recipes are simple perfection, and there’s nothing better than this 2 ingredient combination. Here are a few tricks to making the very best Kir Royale.

French 75 Cocktail

Here’s one of the most sophisticated and refreshing New Years cocktails out there: a French 75! It’s got a mysterious name, but it’s made with a few simple ingredients. It’s tangy, bubbly, and a bit botanical, and it makes every occasion more festive! Really, any occasion is better with this drink in hand.

Prosecco Cocktail

Another great New Years Eve drink? This Prosecco cocktail! It’s classy and sophisticated, pairing the citrus notes of Grand Marnier with lots of bubbles. Add an orange twist and it’s a fancy cocktail that takes only minutes to make! It’s almost an evening version of the flavors in a mimosa: strong on the citrus but with an “after 4 pm” vibe.

Chambord and Champagne Cocktail

Here’s an effortlessly easy New Years Eve cocktail: Chambord and Champagne! These two go together like one of those famous pairings: tomatoes and basil, peaches and cream or peanut butter and jelly. Simply mix the raspberry liqueur with bubbles and you’ve got a sophisticated Chambord cocktail perfect for celebrations of all kinds. The bubbly sweet tart flavor is refreshing and unexpectedly nuanced for two ingredients.

French 77

Looking for a festive drink? Try the French 77! This champagne cocktail is a spin on the classic French 75 that adds St Germain elderflower liqueur. And dare we say it: it makes this classic cocktail even better. It’s bubbly and effervescent, with the floral undertones, a botanical pop from the gin and the zing of fresh lemon juice.

Pomegranate Gin Fizz

Here’s an impressive New Years drink: the Pomegranate Gin Fizz! The Gin Fizz is one of our favorite classic cocktails: sweet tart and refreshing, with a festive egg white foam. Take it over the top with this pomegranate spin: it elevates the sweet tart flavor and gives the drink a brilliant jewel-toned color!

Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Looking for a signature New Years Eve drink featuring cranberry and orange? Try this Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail! It’s balanced, sweet tart, and complex, fruity with intriguing notes from sweet vermouth.

Pomegranate Margarita

You don't only need bubbly for New Years drinks! Try this Pomegranate Margarita! Sweet tart pomegranate juice pairs perfectly with tequila and lime, balanced with the orange perfume of Cointreau. You can use either pomegranate juice or fresh-squeezed juice from the fruit, making it perfect for whatever you have on hand. It’s a great winter cocktail for when pomegranate is in season: but honestly: we drink it anytime.

Toasted Almond Drink

Looking for a unique New Years dessert cocktail? Try the Toasted Almond! This creamy drink balances vodka, amaretto and Kahlua that results in a flavor that’s surprisingly similar to toasted almonds. Something about the coffee liqueur adds in a roasty flavor that makes this drink both balanced and intriguing, all at once.

French Martini

Another New Years drink without bubbles: the French Martini! This martini is hardly related to the classic dry martini at all. It’s a fruity and balanced, featuring a fancy French black raspberry liqueur (Chambord) and pineapple juice. Each sip is so intriguing and nuanced, it’s hard to put the glass down! This one’s become a favorite over here.

St Germain Champagne Cocktail

Here’s a drink that’s made for New Years celebrations: a St Germain champagne cocktail! It’s sophisticated and refreshing: floral, botanical, tangy, and bubbly all at once. If you’ve never purchased a bottle of St Germain, now’s the time! This bottle of fancy liqueur should be part of your alcohol arsenal. Try this cocktail for holiday parties, New Year’s Eve, or celebrating getting that big promotion or anniversary.

Cranberry Martini

Another New Years Eve drink without champagne: a Cranberry Martini! Here’s a tasty, sweet tart spin on the vodka martini that you’ve got to try: the Cranberry Martini! It’s refreshing, zingy and perfectly balanced, starring Cointreau orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice. PS if you think this drink bears a striking resemblance to the classic cocktail the Cosmopolitan, you’re right.

Best Mimosa (with Prosecco)

Let's move on to New Years Day cocktails! There's nothing better than the classic Mimosa: it wins the award for the best brunch drink! How to make a perfect mimosa? Use Prosecco instead of champagne for a sweeter, nuanced flavor! Use it with a heavy hand, and add a dash of orange liqueur. It’s tart, just sweet enough, and bubbly as all get out.

Bellini Cocktail

Here’s a sparkling cocktail that’s full of beautiful fresh flavor: the Bellini! The bellini is a classic cocktail that comes from Italy. The combination of bubbly Prosecco and sweet peaches couldn’t be more refreshing! And of course, it’s natural for brunch like its cousin the mimosa. In winter, use a storebought version of peach puree instead of homemade.

Vodka Sunrise

Need an easy New Years Day brunch cocktail that looks impressive? Try the Vodka Sunrise! This layered cocktail looks like a gradient of a summer sunrise, and it’s ideal for brunch or a laid back afternoon drink. The way that orange juice fades into bright pink grenadine is truly magical. All you need are three ingredients for this spin on the classic Tequila Sunrise.

Classic Bloody Mary

What's better as a New Years drink for brunch than a great Bloody Mary? We’ve spent a considerable amount of time tweaking this Bloody Mary mix recipe to perfection. Turns out, making the absolute perfect version of this classic cocktail requires a few secrets. Here’s how to make the best Bloody Mary: savory, spicy, tangy, and salty all at once.

Also try: 5 Bloody Mary Variations!

Pomegranate Mimosa

When it comes to festive cocktails…well, this one might take the cake. Try this Pomegranate Mimosa! The combination of sweet tart pomegranate, orange perfume and airy bubbles is one of the most satisfying in our list of 200+ cocktail recipes. In fact, you can even serve it as a New Years Eve cocktail and call it Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail or Pomegranate Prosecco Sparkler!

Red Snapper Cocktail

Here's a fun New Years day cocktail: the Red Snapper! The name doesn’t betray this drink: though it’s both red and snappy. But it’s holding a secret: it’s essentially a classic Bloody Mary with gin. Switching out the vodka leads to a whole new drink: savory, spicy, tangy, spicy, with a hint of botanical on the finish from the gin. It’s a fun variation on the standard: and even more so to surprise everyone with this unique spin.

Cranberry Mimosa

Last up in our New Years drinks: a brilliant brunch drink that works for any season. Try the Cranberry Mimosa! Tart cranberry is an ideal pairing for subtly sweet orange juice. Pair the two and the glass is full of fiery red color and crisp flavor. It’s bubbly, it’s refreshing, and it’s downright fun. It’s easy as pie to mix up and perfect for entertaining.

A few more drink options

Need a few more ideas? Here are a few more unique champagne cocktails that are a little outside the box…but still perfect for the New Year:

Try an Old Cuban Cocktail: it’s one part Mojito, one part French 75, and all parts delicious.
Go for a Pineapple Mimosa: fruity and tropical, with a creamy coconut topping
Opt for a Negroni Sbagliato: this spin on the classic Negroni uses bubbles instead of gin!

Want recipes too? Try our 20 New Years Eve Recipes, from shrimp cocktail to black eyed pea dip.

20 Perfect New Years Drinks: Champagne Cocktail & More!

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

The Champagne Cocktail is a classic drink that’s festive and elegant: the perfect for New Years drink! The sugar cube makes it sparkle.

Ingredients

1 sugar cube
5 dashes Angostura bitters
Squeezed lemon peel
5 ounces champagne (10 tablespoons)
For the garnish: Lemon twist

Instructions

Make the lemon twist garnish, if using.
Add a sugar cube to bottom of a champagne flute. Add 5 dashes of bitters to the sugar cube. Use a vegetable peeler to peel off a small strip of lemon skin. Squeeze the lemon skin into the flute to release the oils.
Fill the glass with champagne and serve immediately: watch how the sugar cube makes the bubbles sparkle! Garnish with a lemon twist if desired.

Category: Drink
Method: Poured
Cuisine: Cocktails

Keywords: new years drinks, new years eve drinks, new years cocktails, new years eve cocktail

More cocktails

Looking for more drinks outside of these New Years cocktails? We’ve got 200+ cocktails for every occasion:

Classics: Try Sour Cocktails, Classic Cocktails, or Great Cocktail Recipes.
Easy: These 10 Easy Mixed Drinks have 2 to 3 ingredients.
The Big 5: Try our best Gin Cocktails, Vodka Cocktails, Whiskey Cocktails, Tequila Cocktails or Rum Cocktails.
By Season: Try our Fall Drinks, Fall Cocktails, Winter Drinks, Holiday Drinks, or Summer Cocktails.
By Ingredient: Try our cocktails with Cointreau, Amaretto, Wine, Cranberry, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Campari, Vermouth, Coffee, or Orange Juice.

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

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Top Cheese Trends to Watch in 2022

According to the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Cheese, 2022 is set to be a big year for cheese, with consumption at record highs, new emerging flavors, and classic dishes getting an upgrade with specialty cheese. They've released the following trends:

• Classic Dishes Get an Upgrade. Millennial and Gen Z foodies are looking to recreate classic comfort dishes with a new twist. Retailers can tap into the trend by providing tips and recipe suggestions like Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread, Monte Cristo Swiss Strata, and Maple Cheddar Dutch Baby.

• Upcycling Leftovers in the Home Kitchen. Food waste is estimated at between 30 to 40 percent of the U.S. food supply, according to the USDA. While consumers look to reduce food waste in their homes, retailers can suggest new ways to use leftovers like upcycling Parmesan rinds for broths, sauces, and risotto for a rich, savory flavor.

• Discovering Global Flavors at Home. While travelers stayed grounded during the pandemic, they quickly learned they don't have to leave home to experience the world's best food. Many top-rated cheese shops carry a variety of Wisconsin cheeses with German, Swiss, Italian, Dutch, and Hispanic roots for consumers who want to explore something new and expand their taste buds.

• Some Like It Hot. In addition to crafting award-winning cheeses that were born abroad, like alpine-style or juustoleipa, Wisconsin cheesemakers are developing new cheeses including some with serious heat that consumers crave. In 2021, buffalo-flavored cheese sales grew 145.2 percent and ghost pepper-infused cheese increased 45.8 percent.

• Cheese Will Bring People Together. Coming together over a cheese board is a trend that is here to stay. Cheeselandia, a community that has over 4,000 members who stay connected on social media and join monthly virtual events to get a behind the scenes look at creameries, meet Master Cheesemakers, cook with top rated chefs, and learn from cheesemongers, was named the Influencer Marketing Campaign of the Year by AdWeek Performance Marketing Awards.

"Cheeselandia offers people a way to meet new friends and discover new destinations without ever having to leave home, giving members a sense of community and belonging while bonding over a shared love of cheese," said Suzanne Fanning, senior vice president for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and chief marketing officer for Wisconsin Cheese, in a statement. "We have exciting things planned for the year ahead and we're excited to see cheese continue to bring people together.”

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French 77

The French 77 cocktail is a bubbly mix of elderflower liqueur, lemon and Champagne! This spin on the French 75 is a step above the classic.

Looking for a festive drink? Try the French 77! This champagne cocktail is a spin on the classic French 75 that adds St Germain elderflower liqueur. And dare we say it: it makes this classic cocktail even better. It’s bubbly and effervescent, with the floral undertones and the zing of fresh lemon juice. If you need a signature cocktail to impress your friends, this is the one.

What is a French 77 cocktail?

The French 77 is spin on the classic French 75 cocktail using elderflower liqueur, created by Simon Difford in 2006. Most sources say the original French 75 was invented in 1915 at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, earning it’s name because it was as powerful as a French 75mm field gun. A classic French 75 is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and champagne.

The French 77 simply substitutes St Germain elderflower liqueur for the gin and simple syrup in a French 75. While the St Germain bottle might look historic, it’s a actually new product to cocktails: it was released in 2007. (Since Difford claims to have invented this drink in 2006, he may have used another elderflower liqueur product? We’re not sure.) The ingredients in a French 77 are:

St Germain elderflower liqueur
Lemon juice
Champagne, Prosecco or other sparkling wine

Making the drink is as easy as pouring it all in a champagne flute. Easy as that!

How to make a lemon twist

A classic French 75 is garnished with a lemon twist, and it’s what makes the drink! Wondering how to do it? We have a way to make this classic garnish using no special tools. Here’s how to make a lemon twist:

Cut the lemon width-wise into a circle.
Run a paring knife around the edge to remove the peel, cutting away as much of the pith as possible. Remove the fruit and set aside.
Cut the remaining peel circle so that it becomes a long strip. Twist it, holding it for several seconds until the shape is kept.

Choosing the sparkling wine

The traditional sparkling wine for a French 75 and French 75 is champagne. But we find it’s easier to find a great bottle of Prosecco! Prosecco is a little cheaper with a sweeter, more floral flavor. You can find a great Prosecco for $15 per bottle, but a good bottle of champagne starts at $30 to $40. Either way, make sure it’s “brut” which means dry. Here’s more about the different types of sparkling wine:

Champagne: French sparkling wine (most expensive choice). It tastes bubbly and fruity, with undertones of almond and orange.
Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine. It’s a little sweeter than champagne: fruity and flowery, with notes of apple, pear and lemon.
Cava: Spanish sparkling wine. It has more citrus notes, and is a little more savory and less fruity.

More champagne cocktails

Outside of the French 77, there are lots more classic champagne cocktails to try! Here are a few more favorites for when you want to open a bottle of bubbly:

Use vodka for a French 76
Try the ultimate classic: The Champagne Cocktail
Go brunchy with a Mimosa or Bellini
Try the classic Kir Royale
Go for a French 75

When to serve a French 77

The French 77 is the ideal signature cocktail for any occasion! Try it as a: