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10 CELEBRATORY NEW YEAR’S COCKTAIL RECIPES TO BRING IN 2023

Planning New Year’s celebrations can be a difficult task, what with the pressures of doing something big to round off the year in style surrounded by friends or family. And whilst we can’t help you with your party planning, we can help you with your tipple of choice to accompany an evening to remember.

New Year’s Eve is a global phenomenon; a celebration of what has been and what is to come. With that in mind, it’s important to bring in the New Year in style, and that’s where we’ve got your covered.

From winter whisky cocktails to something a little more bubbly – what will be your drink to see in 2024? Check out our top celebratory cocktails for New Year.

12 Year Old On The Rocks

For some, you simply cannot beat a scotch on the rocks. The Glenlivet’s 12 Year Old single malt carries itself, served and accompanied by ice, or ‘the rocks’ to your own taste. The traditionalist’s choice; whisky on the rocks is a pure way to see out the old and welcome the new. For the more informal and relaxed occasion, the Glenlivet’s 12 Year Old on the rocks is to be enjoyed slowly, relishing each sip.

the glenlivet 12YO on the rocks

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
50 ml
Ice

METHOD

  1. Pour your whisky.
  2. Add as much ice as you like.

The Glenlivet Royale

Bubbles and balance. The Glenlivet Royale is an elegant whisky cocktail, perfect for the more low-key New Year’s Eve party with friends and family. Sure to impress, this whisky royale brings the smooth flavour of the Glenlivet 12 Year Old and meets the crispness of champagne. Whisky and bubbles? It feels like a match made for New Year’s celebrations.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
35 ml
Lemon Juice
15 ml
Honey Water
15 ml
Champagne
80 ml
Lemon Twist

METHOD

  1. Pour The Glenlivet 12, lemon juice and honey water into a chilled flute.
  2. Top with champagne, stir and garnish with a lemon twist.

Morning Glory Fizz

We love this one because it’s adaptable and suits every type of whisky drinker, from beginners to those with a little more expertise. The Morning Glory Fizz is a fruity fizzy cocktail, giving you the opportunity to reflect on those beautiful summer months of 2023. Like those who enjoy a winter barbecue, this is for the whisky drinkers who just cannot let go of summer. What better way to kick off early morning hours of a New Year?

the glenlivet captains reserve Morning Glory Fizz whisky cocktail drink

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve
50 ml
Lemon
20 ml
Egg White
20 ml
Simple Syrup
10 ml
Crème de Peche
15 ml
Peach Eau de Vie
5 ml
Absinthe
3 dashes
Soda Water

METHOD

  1. Dry shake, shake and strain into a highball glass.
  2. Top with soda water.

The Glenlivet Whisky Sour

It’s easy-going, it’s timeless and it’s the whisky cocktail of choice for parties. That’s why we’d suggest serving The Glenlivet Whisky Sour at your end-of-2023 shindig; a favourite among seasoned whisky drinkers and an obvious entree whisky cocktail for those not yet acquainted with the world of scotch. The Glenlivet 12 Year Old works beautifully with lemon juice and syrup to create a citrusy yet sweet cocktail, steeped in history and popular around the globe.

the glenlivet whisky sour cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
50 ml
Lemon Juice
25 ml
Simple Syrup
12 ml
Egg White or Aquafaba (Optional)
12 ml

METHOD

  1. Build in shaker.
  2. Add ice and shake again until well-chilled.
  3. Strain into glass.

Spiced Spey Coffee

By the time the clock strikes midnight and 2024 is here, you might be looking for a pick-me-up whisky cocktail to keep your spirits, and evening celebrations, alive. The Spiced Spey Coffee is a heart-warming winter cocktail that combines the Glenlivet 12 Year Old, coffee and chocolate to create a whisky drink that is both sweet and soft. Topped off with unsweetened cream, it’s a real people pleaser and simply the ultimate New Year’s Eve party whisky cocktail.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
40 ml
Liquid Chocolate
15 ml
Simple Syrup
10 ml
Americano Coffee/strong Filter Coffee
75 ml
Cayenne Pepper
1 small pinch(es)
Lightly Whipped Double Cream
40 ml

METHOD

  1. Warm a small wine glass with boiling water and then pour it out.
  2. Mix the chocolate, whisky, coffee, syrup and cayenne pepper together in a heated glass.
  3. Gently pour the cream over the back of a spoon to create a creamy layer.
  4. Garnish with chocolate shavings, adding another small pinch of cayenne pepper.

Auld Alliance

‘Should Auld Alliance be forgot, and never brought to mind…’. A cocktail that fits the New Year’s song to be sung at midnight, what could go wrong? If you’re spending this year’s celebration at home with a cosy dinner planned with close company, we’d recommend a warming cocktail like the Auld Alliance to accompany your evening. Combining our 18 Year Old with the sweetness and length of French wine creates something with an instant impact and punch, fitting for the last night of the year.

the glenlivet 18 year old auld alliance whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Whisky
35 ml
Sauternes
35 ml

METHOD

  1. Pour The Glenlivet 18 and wine into a mixing glass full of ice.
  2. Stir to chill and slightly dilute.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupette and garnish with an orange twist expressed over the drink.

Chocolate Orange Old Fashioned

The rich and creamy Chocolate Orange Old Fashioned is a whisky cocktail that just feels right to sip on at this time of year, with the citrus of the orange and the sweetness of the chocolate. Two classic Christmas ingredients come together to make a traditionally festive cocktail which we believe is a must-try, and should be enjoyed to wrap up those couple of weeks of indulgence in style. 2024 is a new year, but sometimes the Old Fashioned way is the right way.

Chocolate Old fashioned The Glenlivet 12 YO

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year old
50 ml
Orange Syrup
5 ml
Mozart Chocolate Liqueur
10 ml
Angostura Bitters
3 dashes
Orange Twist

METHOD

  1. Add ingredients to mixing glass, stir down over ice.
  2. Serve over ice in a rocks glass.
  3. Garnish with a twist of orange.

Maple-Red Wine Sour

Still got a bottle of Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon leftover from your Christmas celebrations? Well, it’s time to mix things up with the Maple-Red Wine Sour, a tangy but delicious mixture of red wine with The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, plus unmissable sweet tones from the maple syrup, adding a layer of sweetness to an otherwise smooth flavour. A New Year is for trying something different, and this unique whisky drink is absolutely certain to polish the year off in style.

the glenlivet maple red wine sour whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
50 ml
Fresh Lemon Juice
25 ml
Maple Syrup
25 ml
Red Wine, such as Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon
12 ml
Lemon Twist (for Garnish)
1
Ice Cubes

METHOD

  1. Combine The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  2. Cover and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is frosty and drink is well chilled, about 30 seconds.
  3. Fill a rocks glass with ice and strain the whisky mixture into the glass.
  4. Hold a spoon over the glass and pour the red wine carefully down the back of the spoon to float on the surface.
  5. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

Carnivale

The ultimate party whisky drink. It may be traditionally suited to summer but what better way to celebrate than with a Carnival inspired cocktail? Carnivale is a laid back, cool drink for a laid back, cool occasion. The coconut water and lime base feels soft and lighter than many of our other suggestions, but that’s just what some people need after a celebration-heavy period. Pour yours party style in a pitcher or punch bowl for every guest.

the glenlivet founders reserve carnivale whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
50 ml
Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
10 ml
Coconut Water
120 ml
Amargo Chuncho
1 dash(es)

METHOD

  1. Add The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, fresh lime and coconut water to a highball glass half full of crushed ice and stir.
  2. Fill the glass with crushed ice, taking care not to bring the level of the liquid up too high.
  3. Dash with the Amargo Chuncho bitters.

Whisky Hot Chocolate

Sometimes, after an evening celebrating 2023 and everything that has been over the past 365 days, all you want is a whisky cocktail to help you wind down and relax. Start the new year the right way – as the fireworks burst into colour around you and the night begins for many, sink back into your chair and let the Whisky Hot Chocolate work its calming magic. Chocolate and whisky. We can’t think of any more fitting ways to round off a successful 2023 than these two.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Whisky
50 ml
Milk of Choice
250 ml
Cocoa Powder
1 tbsp
Soft Brown Sugar
1 tsp
Chocolate of Choice (Finely Chopped)
25 g
Cinnamon (For Garnish)
Sprinkle

METHOD

  1. Add the milk to a pan and gently heat (don’t allow to boil).
  2. Add cocoa powder, soft brown sugar and chocolate to the pan, and lightly whisk to dissolve into the milk.
  3. Remove the pan from the heat.
  4. Separately, add The Glenlivet Founders Reserve whisky to a heated mug.
  5. Add the hot chocolate mixture over the whisky and stir lightly.
  6. Garnish with squirty cream, extra finely chopped chocolate and cinnamon.
  7. Serve.

Hopefully you found the perfect cocktail to bring in the New Year, but if you’re hosting for a larger group, you can also take a look at our batch cocktails which are perfect drinks for groups.