New Year`s Eve canapé and mock-tail party with Rochelle Trotter - New York News | NYC Breaking News

New Year's Eve is almost here and the parties will be on! It's always a great idea to host a group of friends to "ring in the New Year," but there's always the concern about responsible drinking.

Never fear! Lifestyle and Entertaining Consultant Rochelle Trotter has the perfect solution to your dilemma: A first class New Year's canapé and MOCK-tail party.

Sure, you can have champagne for those who want something alcoholic but why limit non alcoholic options to soda and water? These mock-tails emphasize the celebratory nature of the holiday season and ensure your non alcohol drinking guests don't feel left out of the party.

As an added feature the setup for this party will feature "re-purposed Christmas decorations," so don't throw those ornaments away!

MOCK-TAIL RECIPES:

SPARKLING WINE COCKTAIL: A Champagne Classic Revisited

THE classic champagne cocktail created in the 1850s which always signals "celebration." So get your party started right - with a sparkling wine version of this classic!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 sugar cube
• 3 splash of Blood Orange Bitters
• Sparkling white grape juice
• Orange (twist or frozen segment) for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the sugar cube carefully in the bottom of a champagne flute.
2. Using a teaspoon, cover the sugar cube with the orange bitters and allow them to saturate the sugar cube for 2-3 minutes.
3. Slowly pour the sparkling white grape juice down the SIDE of the flute, so as to not disturb the sugar cube.
4. Garnish with a twist (or frozen segment) and enjoy.

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ROSEMARY LEMON DROP

Take the classic lemon drop and add an herbaceous note of the season - rosemary - for a dry, aromatic mocktail which would go great with a creamy canapé. Get ready for a sweet yet savory surprise when this drink hits your mouth!

INGREDIENTS

• Rosemary Syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
• 1/2 cup Meyer lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Lemon seltzer water
• Ice
• Frozen rosemary ice cubes for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the rosemary syrup by combining the water and sugar in a medium saucepan
2. Bring to boil
3. Add the fresh rosemary sprigs and remove pan from heat
4. Allow to sit for 5 minutes
5. Remove rosemary sprigs and allow syrup to cool
6. Strain (if necessary)
7. Combine the lemon juice, syrup, and seltzer water in a cocktail shaker with ice (you may need to work in batches as this recipe serves 2). Shake until chilled and strain into wine glass. Garnish with herb ice cube.

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CRAN-TINI

Get ready to pucker up when you taste this seasonal martini featuring fresh cranberry juice, raspberry syrup and lime. Go all out and rim the martini glass with edible glitter, or create fruit themed ice cubes to add to the dazzle.

INGREDIENTS

• Sparkling sugar or edible glitter
• 1/2 tablespoon raspberry syrup
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cranberry juice (not from concentrate)
• Juice of 1/4 fresh lime
• Ice
• Lemon sparkling water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wet the rim of a martini glass and roll it in the sparking sugar or edible glitter.
2. Combine the syrup, juice, lime and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake until chilled.
3. Pour into martini glass, and finish with a touch of lemon sparkling water.
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MILK CHOCOLATINI

Forget about eating desert! Why not drink it in this luscious milk chocolate martini which is laced with vanilla coffee! Go all out and bank calories later, as you enjoy the coca rimmed glass and whipped cream topping. Happy New Year!

INGREDIENTS

• Coca powder (for dusting and glass rim)
• 2 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons vanilla flavored coffee
• Ice
• Whipped cream for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lightly moisten the rim of a martini glass, and dip it into the coca powder.
2. Heat the cream in a microwave safe bowl (50% power for approximately 1 minute) until just boiling. Remove from microwave and add the chocolate. Stir until the mixture is creamy and all chocolate is melted.
3. Pour mixture into cocktail shaker along with the coffee and ice. Shake until chilled.
4. Strain into the martini glass and add a dollop of whipped cream.

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