Written by Bec Loades in Food & Drink on the 29th December 2018

The festive season is sadly coming to an end, however there is still time to bring in a new year with some delicious cocktails. Hopefully you all have some exciting plans to celebrate the start of 2019; whether that be hitting a club, hosting a house party with your mates or just chilling at home with your family with a takeaway. Either way, why not teach yourself a couple of cocktail recipes to kickstart the evening. We have put together some great ideas for you, using some top quality spirits from around the world, including Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin. There is nothing wrong with a standard gin and tonic but these delectable and slightly more adventurous cocktails will immediately impress your friends and certainly add some pep in your step to take you into 2019. They can be enjoyed before the champagne is popped or as an alternative to the classic bubbles. Just don’t blame us if you enjoy them a little too much...

Mamont Vodka - The Imperial Mamont 

This unique Siberian Mamont Vodka is distilled six times which creates an ultra-premium, crystal clear spirit. Likely to be a talking point of a party, the unusual tusk-shaped bottle is inspired by the discovery of an 18,000 year old Yukagir Mammoth. Produced at the foot of the Altai Mountains, white winter wheat and well water from the surrounding region is blended by skilled craftsmen to create a vodka that has a strong scent of vanilla and silky sweet taste with a hint of star anise. The ground cinnamon and spiced-berry cordial of the Imperial Mamont cocktail will work well with the slightly nutty flavours of the vodka and will help continue those wintery festive vibes. 

Ingredients: 

50ml Mamont Vodka 

150ml pressed apple juice 

10ml spice-berry cordial 

A pinch of ground cinnamon 

Method: 

1. Combine the Mamont Vodka, pressed apple juice and spiced-berry cordial and shake. 

2. Strain in to an ice-filled highball glass. 

3. Top with a dusting of ground cinnamon. 

4. Garnish with a slice of apple, a sprig of mint and seasonal berries. 

Aviation Gin - The Sour Aviation 

This is a new style of American gin which is softer and smoother than other classic gins. Owned by Ryan Reynolds, who claims it to be “hands down, the best damn gin on the planet”, it is one of the world’s highest rated gins (97 points by the Wine Enthusiast). Aviation Gin is blended with seven botanicals in Portland, Oregon. The essential notes of the spirit revolve around citrus and floral flavours, with less of a focus on juniper. Due to the softer flavour, this gin can be taken neat over ice, but it is perfect for a gin cocktail such as the Sour Aviation (You can leave the Crème de Violette if it is not easily accessible).  

Ingredients: 

1.5 oz Aviation American Gin 

1 tsp Crème De Violette 

1/2 oz Maraschino Liqueur 

3/4 Freshly Pressed Lemon Juice 

1/4 oz Simple Syrup 

Method: 

1. Add all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice.  

2. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.  

3. Garnish with a cherry.

El Jimador - The Paloma 

Voted as the number 1 selling tequila in Mexico in 2015, El Jimador tequila is made using 100% blue Weber agave, with no filler and no added colours. For the classic Paloma cocktail, which is extremely popular, it is recommended to use El Jimador’s youngest tequila, Blanco. This tequila is naturally fermented and double-distilled to produce a fresh, crisp and pure spirit with strong citrus notes that will compliment the grapefruit soda in the cocktail. This refreshing tequila will be sure to keep you awake well beyond midnight. 

Ingredients: 

50ml el Jimador Blanco 

200ml grapefruit soda 

Fresh lime Ice 

Method: 

1. Pour into a tall glass over ice. 

2. Stir. 

3. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Woodford Reserve - The Spiced Old Fashioned 

We recommend trying Woodford Reserve’s Distiller’s Select for this festive take on the Old Fashioned cocktail. This super-premium, craft bourbon is produced in one of America’s oldest and smallest distilleries in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region and is the only bourbon to be triple distilled in copper pots. It has rich notes of toffee, cinnamon and cocoa and is heavy on the nose with aromas of dried fruit, tobacco and vanilla. The smooth finish and complex flavours of this bourbon make it a perfect ingredient for this cocktail and will warm up any cold evening. 

Ingredients: 

Ice 

1.5 oz Woodford Reserve whiskey 

1.5 oz spice syrup 

4-6 drops Angostura Bitters 

1 Mascherano Cherry 

Orange Rind 

Method: 

1. Put one large or few smaller ice cubes in a whiskey/old fashioned glass. 

2. Pour bourbon, syrup and bitters over. Stir rapidly with a long spoon to chill and release a little water from the ice.

3. Add the cherry and syrup.

Jack Daniel's Gentleman's Jack - Gentleman's Sour 

This premium Tennessee Whiskey comes from the Jack Daniel distillery. It is double-mellowed and has aromas of brown sugar and soft caramel, with flavours of vanilla, citrus and maple syrup. This stems from the unique mellowing process through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal before entering the barrel. As with other Jack Daniel’s whiskeys, Gentleman Jack can be stylishly enjoyed on the rocks, but the lemon juice in this classic sour cocktail will cut through the extremely smooth finish to add a kick. For anyone new to drinking whisky, this would be a perfect introduction. 

Ingredients: 

50ml Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack 

25ml Lemon Juice 

20ml Sugar Syrup 

A dash of bitters 

Cubed ice 

Lemon slice garnish 

Method: 

1. Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker together with ice 

2. Strain into a tumbler filled with cubed ice 

3. Garnish with a slice of fresh lemon and serve

We provide cocktail recipes for The Imperial Mamont, The Aviation, The Paloma, The Spiced Old Fashioned and The Gentleman's Sour in this guide to 5 Gentleman’s Cocktail Recipes for New Year’s Eve.