As we look ahead to a new year, friends and family alike will be raising a toast to the hope of promising days ahead. Nations and cultures around the world have their own toasting customs. From as far back as the ancient Hebrew and Egyptian civilizations to the Huns and Saxons, raising a glass to toast has long been a good-faith gesture towards another. Of course, historically, a toast was offered to assure the other party that the drink wasn’t poisoned, but the modern-day toast has evolved as a blessing or gesture of goodwill to another’s health and happiness.
If you’re planning to ring in the new year in a memorable way, why not raise a special toast with Basil Hayden’s? This Kentucky standard bearer offers a range of sophisticated whiskeys, each with their own uniques flavors and smooth, silky texture. Each can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or stirred up in a seasonal cocktail such as Basil and Bubbles. This festive concoction builds on the New Year’s tradition of toasting with Champagne, but with the added fun of citrus and Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye. This rich and complex rye whiskey offers notes of spice, dried fruit, and rich molasses and is complimented by a touch of Port-style wine for an added layer of ripe fruit on the finish.
Pair this New Year’s cocktail with a curated charcuterie board from Fount Board & Table. Built with a variety of smoked and cured meats, savory cheeses, olives, fruit, spiced nuts, and seasonal jams, these delectable spreads are the perfect pairing for this festive cocktail.
Featured Recipe
Basil & Bubbles
1 pt Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye
.50 pt dry curacoa
.5 pt fresh lemon juice
4 dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters
Dry sparkling wine or champagne
Stir first four ingredients with ice
Strain into a chilled Champagne flute
Top with chilled dry sparkling wine or champagne of choice
Garnish with an orange horse’s neck twist.
For more recipes and entertaining ideas, visit Basil Hayden’s.
