We welcomed 2020 at home in our jammies, sipping on New Years Manhattans concocted for the occasion. Rather than keep things fancy, I wanted layered, classy drinks that I could make more than one of without destroying the kitchen in the process. We had chocolate and snacks to nibble on and my one goal was to stay awake until midnight.
We had big plans. Finishing Dirty John, cuddling with the kittens and cocktails. FYI Dirty John is messed up! I put together two quick cocktails to celebrate having the most adultish NYE at home ever. The fun part was watching all my social media friends who were also staying in for NYE. Made me feel like I’ve found my tribe. Love you guys!
I’m the Favorite (his)
I put this together for him because I’ve been obsessed with coffee and amaro flavors lately and this Tiramisu liqueur had been gathering dust on the back of our bar for a while. He loves sweet drinks if they’re neat, but doesn’t mind some of the bitter notes from the amaro. I did add some chocolate bitters to the mix because I thought the chocolate was getting lost under the heavier amaro flavors.
(It’s called “I’m the Favorite” because we joke that he’s the favorite of two sons-in-laws. Although my mother refuses to admit it.)
I’m the Favorite (his)
Ingredients
- 2 oz New Riff rye
- 1 oz Tiramisu liqueur
- 0.25 oz cocchi vermouth di Torino
- 0.5 oz Averna amaro
- 2 dashes Bitter truth chocolate bitters
- Luxardo cherries chocolate truffle or coffee-infused cream layer
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice. Stir until well-chilled and strain into a chilled coupe. We garnished this with cherries, but if I'd had a chocolate truffle or some coffee infused cream to layer on top that would have been the way to go.
Yes, Dear (mine)
For my New Years Manhattan cocktail I wanted to see how the Michter’s Toasted Bourbon played with the Giffard Creme de Peche De Vigne peach liqueur. I added a tiny amount of Cardamaro because I love the way the harsher notes of cardamon blend in with the toast from the bourbon and the sweetness of the peach. This cocktail was a joy to put together. I did end up adding some of the Crude Bitterless Marriage bitters for their floral notes. To me peach always need a little floral to match well with it.
Yes, Dear
Ingredients
- 2 oz Michter’s toasted bourbon
- 0.75 oz Giffard Creme de Peche de Vigne
- 0.25 oz Cardamaro
- 0.25 oz Montenegro Amaro
- 8 drops Crude Bitterless marriage bitters
- Garnish: cherry but in season I would use a slice of fresh peach and candied ginger
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice. Stir until well-chilled and strain into a chilled coupe. Again, I garnished with cherries, but in season a fresh or dehydrated peach or candied ginger would work out just as well and tie in with the other ingredients of the cocktail even better.
