New Year’s Eve Parties that are Stylish and Affordable

December 26 – New Year’s Eve calls for a celebration and something bubbly is pretty much de rigueur.  But even after breaking the bank with Christmas gifts and entertainment, a great party is possible without going into debt.

Ruffino Prosecco to the rescue!  At around $13.00 a bottle, this lovely, elegant Italian sparkling wine is clean and crisp on its own or mixed into a delicious cocktail that is easy to make.  See the recipe for The Ruffino Sparkler below.  Or think pink and serve the Ruffino Sparkling Rosé with a suggested retail of around $15.00.  Serve both!  The Rosé is also a natural for a pretty cocktail so check out the Ruffino  Strawberry Sparkler.  Ruffino’s Prosecco is a moderate 11% alcohol by volume, a good thing on any occasion but especially New Year’s Eve.

Staying with festive pink cocktails that sparkle and fizz, Smirnoff suggests their Very Merry Sparkling Raspberry Rosé.  This is so easy to make.  Smirnoff Seltzer at 4.5% abv is slightly higher than Budweiser Light at 4.2%.

For a crowd, try the Holi-yay Punch.  The recipe serves 12. All that fruit looks positively healthy!  The Smirnoff Ice line is also 4.5% abv.  The Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka is 40% abv.

Have a very happy and healthy New Year and be safe on the roads.

The Ruffino Sparkler

2 parts Ruffino Prosecco

1 part vodka

1 sprig fresh rosemary

1 part lemon tonic

½ part lemon juice

½ part simple syrup

Sprig of rosemary

Method: In a shaker, add all ingredients except Ruffino Prosecco. Shake and fine strain into a flute. Top with Prosecco and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

Ruffino Strawberry Sparkler

½ part sugar

½ part water

1 ripe strawberry about 1 ounce

½ part basil leaves, torn

1/8 part lime juice

1 part Ruffino Sparkling Rosé, chilled

Basil leaves and strawberries, to garnish

Method: In a small saucepan bring the sugar and water to a boil, cook 2 minutes to make simple syrup. Crush the strawberry well with the bottom of a glass or jar. Add the basil and strawberry to the hot sugar syrup, cover and let cool at least 30 minutes. Strain the syrup and add the lime juice. Add 1 ounce of strawberry syrup to a coupe or wine glass. Top with Ruffino Sparkling Rosé. Garnish with basil leaves and some sliced fresh strawberries if desired. TIPS: Strain and refrigerate the covered syrup up to 1 week. Try this breezy cocktail with raspberries or other seasonal soft fruit in place of the strawberries.

Very Merry Sparkling Raspberry Rosé

Recipes and Images Courtesy of Megan Marlowe, Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Serves 1

4 oz. Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Raspberry Rosé

1 oz.  Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka

2 oz. raspberry juice

Raspberries for garnish

Method:  First, rim the Champagne glass with edible glitter.  Next, pour in raspberry juice, Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka and top with Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Raspberry Rosé. Garnish with raspberries and sprig of mint or rosemary.

Holi-yay Punch 

 Serves 12

2 bottles Smirnoff Ice Strawberry

2 bottles Smirnoff Ice Original

1.5 cups Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka

4 cups Blood Orange Juice

4 cups Pomegranate

1/4 cup simple syrup – optional

1/4 cup lemon juice

Sliced strawberries

Blood orange slices

Pomegranate arils

Fresh mint leaves 

Method:  First, mix everything together into a punch bowl or large pitcher, except Smirnoff Ice Original. Next, pour punch into glasses, top with Smirnoff Ice Original and garnish with mint leaves, pomegranate arils, strawberries and blood orange slice.

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