Honey Whiskey Lemonade

This is a cool version of the classic honey and whiskey toddy. In a small saucepan bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup honey to boil (I recommend using New Zealand Forest Honey)

Reduce heat and add 1-2 sprigs of your favorite herb (basil, rosemary, lavendar, mint). Simmer until it has been reduced by about half (around 15 minutes). Let it cool.

Fill a short glass with ice and a shot of whiskey. Add 1/4 cup lemonade and 1/4 cup soda and 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of your honey-herb syrup to taste.

Garnish with another sprig of your chosen herb and lemons.

This recipe I found at the super cool foodie site: Foodie Crush.com

Vanilla Citrus Mocktail

This slightly tart and super refreshing mocktail would be great for a lunch or afternoon party. The kids will love this one too, especially if you're a bit heavy handed with the vanilla syrup.

Squeeze the juice from 12 limes and 5 oranges and pour into a large jug.

Add 2 and a 1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup vanilla syrup and a split vanilla bean and stir well.

Cover, chill and serve cold.

Tip. use a sharp pairing knife to split the bean - a table knife won't do the job nearly as well!

New Zealand Hot Goat

I don't have enough hairs on my chest for this, but I'd definitely make this one for my Dad!

In a glass pour: 1 shot vodka (Jumping Goat Vodka is recommended), 1/2 shot white rum, 1/2 shot spiced rum, 1/3 shot Kaitaia Fire Hot Sauce and 1/3 shot orange bitters.

Stir over ice.

Garnish with orange peel and star anise.

This recipe is from Jumping Goat Liquor.com

Vanilla Lime Ginger Fizz

Raise your glass in style with this New Year Eve party drink.

Rub the rim of your cocktail glass with lime and dip the rim in vanilla sugar for a sugar frosted rim.

Place 4 - 6 cracked ice cubes, 3 tablespoons vodka, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously until frost forms. 

Pop a couple of extra cracked ice cubes in a tall cocktail glass and half fill with the vodka, lime and vanilla mixture. 

Top with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wedge.

Honey Blackberry Mint Mocktail

Seltzer is a perfect option for those who like bubbles without booze. 

In a cocktail shaker muddle together 8 fresh blackberries, 1/4 cup honey (I used this Drinking Honey) and a handful of mint leaves until completely blended.

Add the juice of one lemon and half a cup water, cover and shake.

Strain the mixture into two short glasses with ice.

Top each glass off with seltzer water.

Garnish with black berries or mint leaves. 

This wonderful recipe is from Bowl of Delicious.com

 Hot Shot

You can't get easier than this simple two ingredient shot but it's certainly not for the faint hearted!

Pour a full shot of tequila.

Add half a shot of Kaitaia Fire Chili Pepper Sauce.

And 3... 2... 1... go!

It would be unwise to turn this into a competition. Keep the egos in check people!

Pineapple Vanilla Tequila

This one requires a bit of planning ahead but if you get started at Christmas it will be ready by New Year's Eve.

Sterilize a large 2 liter wide-necked bottle and leave to cool. 

Skin the pineapple making sure all of the eyes are removed. Remove and discard the central core and chop the pineapple into small enough pieces to fit into the neck of the bottle. When the bottle is cool, pop in the pineapple pieces in with a whole split vanilla bean.

Place a liter of white tequila in a jug and mix in 1/4 cup brown sugar. When the sugar is completely dissolved, pour the mixture into your bottle over the pineapple and vanilla bean.

Seal the bottle and give it a swirl a couple of times a day for a week before drinking.