Lowcountry-Inspired Cocktails to Ring in the New Year

Temperatures stay mild in the winter on Hilton Head Island, but we’ll make any excuse for a warm beverage that tastes like dessert in a glass. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, hot buttered rum is the perfect way to keep the treats of the season going a little longer. All you need is a blend of easy-to-find ingredients and the perfect spiced or dark rum. Look to Hilton Head Distillery for a special selection of signature craft spirits, including their Solera and spiced rums. 

1 teaspoon butter

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 pinch ground cinnamon

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 pinch ground allspice

1 dash vanilla extract

2 ounces dark or spiced rum 

1 cup boiling water

Cinnamon stick to garnish

Mix It Up: 

Blend butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat until well mixed. 

In a mug or heat-resistant glass, combine rum with the butter mixture. 

Top with hot water and stir well. 

Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Enjoy! 
 

If you’re planning a classic oyster roast to welcome in the new year, we suggest mixing up a batch of Shoo-Fly Punch! Bourbon-based but with a lively zip from ginger beer, it’s the perfect pairing to add some brightness to complement briny oysters. When picking the ideal bourbon for your mix, look no further than right here in the Lowcountry. Hilton Head Distillery has the ideal bourbon for this recipe — their Atlantic Bourbon features rich flavors of charred oak, caramel, and vanilla with notes of baking spice.

2.5 ounces bourbon

½  ounce fresh lemon juice

½  ounce simple syrup

Dash of bitters

Crushed ice

Chilled ginger beer, nonalcoholic

Garnishes: orange slices, fresh mint or thyme sprigs

Mix It Up: 

Stir together bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and bitters.

Fill a Mason jar or 16oz glass with ice (crushed or cubed).

Pour bourbon mix over ice and top with 2.5 ounces of ginger beer.

Garnish with orange slices and sprigs of mint or thyme. Cheers!

Hilton Head Island is home to plenty of Mexican eateries serving up thirst-quenching margaritas, including Holy Tequila, Tio’s Latin American Kitchen, Java Burrito Company, and Sante Fe Cafe. Each perfect for happy hours after laid-back beach days or good times on the green. While this refreshing drink is synonymous with summer, it’s easy to put a festive twist on a classic. Because let’s be honest: any time of year is the right time for a margarita. Add a dash of holiday color and zest with pomegranate juice — this bright seasonal fruit kicks up the flavor with lively tartness you’re sure to enjoy. 

2 ounces silver tequila

¾ ounce triple sec

¾ ounce simple syrup

2 ounces pomegranate juice 

1 ounce fresh lime juice

Margarita salt 

Lime wheel to garnish 

Pomegranate arils to garnish

Mix It Up: 

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Blend tequila, triple sec, lime juice, simple syrup, and pomegranate juice. Cover and shake well.

Run a slice of lime along the rim of your glass. Pour margarita salt onto a small plate, and dip the glass in to create a salt rim. 

Pour the blended ingredients into your glass, garnish with juicy pomegranate arils and a lime wheel, and drink up!

What comes to mind when you think of New Year’s Eve festivities? Bubbles, of course! Elevate your glass of sparkling with the French 75, a classic New Year’s Eve tipple. This cocktail adds a splash of herbaceous gin to your bubbly for some effervescent delight. 

When getting your party supplies sorted, head to Roller’s Wine & Spirits to pick up the perfect bottle of Champagne and a premium dry gin.
 

1 ½ ounces gin

2 to 3 ounces chilled Champagne or sparkling wine

¾ ounce fresh lemon juice 

¾ ounce simple syrup 

Lemon twist to garnish 

Mix It Up: 

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well. 

Strain into a champagne flute and top it up with bubbles. Garnish with a lemon twist. Happy New Year!