Three Cocktails You Should Be Drinking To Start Off The New Year

Words by, Igee Okafor & Tyler Zielinski

Photography by, Erik Parapar

Tis' the season to celebrate the joys of the year and if we are anything alike, you're looking forward to ringing in the new year with a very colorful taste palate.

Meet founder of Bon Vivantito - Tyler Zielinski, a talented mixologist who prides himself in concocting mouthwatering beverages. Scrolling through Zielinski's instagram feed, I salivate every time I set my eyes on one of his cocktails and I'm sure I am not alone. With Bon Vivantito, the drinks are always flowing so, I reckoned it was only honorable that I kindly requested three original mouth watering cocktail recipes for www.igeeokafor.com. 

Mr. Zielinksi did not disappoint as he answered my inquiry and prepared three original recipes that'll leave me and hopefully you craving each delicacy undyingly. Don't believe me? See below. We can all enjoy leading into the new year and beyond. 

FRENCH 75

Ingredients

1 oz Gin

1/2 oz Lemon

1/2 oz Simple Syrup (If you're feeling ambitious & festive, make / use Rosemary syrup)

Topped with 2-3 oz of Champagne

Garnish: Rosemary & Lemon Peel

Mixing Instructions:

• Mix gin, lemon & syrup in a shaker. Add ice.
• Shake vigorously (a little body roll with the shake ain't ever kill nobody).
• Strain into champagne flute and top with champagne.
• Garnish and voila!

The French 75 is one of the more historic cocktails in American history dating back to the late 1800s, early 1900s (depending on who you ask). The ambiance that this exquisitely chic cocktail provides is one that replicates your finest Oscar after-party or, in this case, NYE black tie event. This cocktail, refreshingly light and a great palate cleanser, is fitting for a gentlemen. A gentlemen who, while maintaining his class, is getting a strong buzz on - just the way he likes it. 

GOLD RUSH

Ingredients

2 oz Bourbon

3/4 oz Lemon

3/4 oz Honey Syrup

Garnish: Lemon Peel

Mixing Instructions: 

• Mix all ingredients in shaker.
• Shake vigorously and strain into rocks glass.
• Garnish & serve.

This cocktail is the true poster-child for beauty in simplicity. Birthed at the legendary New York City cocktail bar Milk & Honey, this 3-ingredient masterpiece is an excellent mid-evening sipper. This is one of those cocktails that is not only bad, boozy and beautiful, it is also delicious. If you are a "rough around the edges", bourbon kind of guy who enjoys a simple, sophisticated cocktail, the Gold Rush is a no-brainer.

PARTY STARTER

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz Tequila

3/4 oz Lemon

1/2 oz Honey Syrup

4 Dashes Scrappy's Lavender Bitters*

2-3 oz Fevertree Tonic Water

Garnish: Grapefruit Peel

Mixing Instructions:

• Include all ingredients into shaker (excluding tonic water & 2 Dashes of lavender bitters).
• Shake, and strain into highball glass.
• Top with tonic water & 2 dashes of lavender bitters. Garnish with grapefruit peel and serve. 

A Bon Vivantito original, this cocktail's name speaks for itself. It is a light, refreshing, flavorful fizz that gets the party started. No matter who you are, if you've had a hard, long, 2017 and can't wait to start with a clean slate, stick with the Party Starter. It should be a festive night to say the least.

Thank you for reading! 

In collaboration with Bon Vivantito & Porchlight Bar. The standpoints articulated above are personal opinions, and are not representative of the stance or ranking of Bon Vivantito & Porchlight Bar.