Cocktail Notes || EP. 10 “What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?", by Frank Loesser || Fortune

Let the countdown begin! “What Are You Doing New Years Eve?” is a festive classic to ring in the New Year. This song and  “Auld Lang Syne” make up the two iconic New Year’s songs that can be heard everywhere. I think we’re all excited to leave this tough year behind. One year ago, I rang in 2020 by celebrating my dear friends’ amazing wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony that gave a hopeful outlook to the year. Who would have thought as to how this year would have turned out? We have all learned a lot this year about priorities and patience. Hopefully, through all the heaviness brought on by this year, we can bring an optimistic joyfulness to the next one. To a better 2021! 

The “Fortune” cocktail is a champagne cocktail with a base of Applejack aromatized with mint leaves. It has basic “sour” specs: 2 parts spirit, 1 part sweet, 1 part sour. What elevates this cocktail is the addition of mint and the topping of sparkling wine. The effervescence of the champagne gives the cocktail a festive quality, perfect for a New Years celebration. And the name “Fortune” could be interpreted as a thoughtful wish to everyone after such a difficult year. After trying it for the first time, I found it to be an enjoyable cocktail. The subtle fruitiness of the Applejack paired well with the herbaceousness of the mint, only to be uplifted by the bubbles of champagne. I would ring in the New Years with this cocktail again. Cheers!

[December 31, 2020]