Because(as they say) a change is as good as a holiday we're bringing you some cool alternatives to the traditional New Years fizz:
1: I’ll-take-mine-by-the-pool, thanks…
You want something refreshing - and perhaps with a little extra hydration in the form of a mixer so you don’t over-do it.
Try the Quinquina cocktail:
Shake 4 parts quinquina, 1 part gin & 1 part Cointreau, crush in 2 fresh orange segments - pour over ice & top with sparkling water. Refreshing. Delicious. Easy drinking.
2: The Seafood-extravaganza match…
If you didn’t over-indulge in the prawns & lobster stakes over Christmas (bah, as if there is such a thing!) and the gifts from the sea will be gracing your NYE or NYD table here’s our pick for the ice-bucket:
Rosé - Yeah, yeah, we are Turkey Flat so it’s pretty much a given that our Prince of Pink would feature here somewhere. But in saying that, the Turkey Flat Rosé with its Turkish delight, clean red fruits and dry finishing glory has the versatility to match the gamut of seafood preparations - simply poached, a little bit charred from the barbecue, hit with a spicy, Asian-inspired dressing - it really can do it all. As Campbell Mattinson says ‘It’s simply stellar summer drinking’.
On the white front - I know I can’t steer you wrong with a beautifully crisp, fresh Riesling.
My pick? The 2015 Sons of Eden Freya with all the zesty lime and crisp apple intensity to really make that fresh-from-the-water-produce sing.
Incidentally the 2015 vintage was a cracker for Riesling in SA - so it’s pretty hard to go wrong. Also worth noting - with his 5 different Rieslings - is the Riesling Freak himself - John Hughes.
3: The-when-will-we-finish-this-ham? Match…
Chill that Grenache baby! The bright primary fruits (think raspberry, cherry, red currant) in this red wine can handle a chill exceptionally well.
Try Turkey Flat Grenache,
Deliberately on the darker side of Grenache, when chilled the crushed cherries and raspberries brighten while the slick of tannin is crisp & refreshing.
Or our local favourites Yelland & Papps Second Take Grenache - to quote them: “A Beaujolais style of Grenache, light elegant and damn tasty”
4: The-no-more-alcohol-PLEASE or interesting spacer drink…
Water? Well, yes, it serves its hydrating purpose but it can be, well, boring. Adding bubbles of course can make it a little more fun - but sometimes you just want more from your (non-alcoholic) drink.
Enter the classic - ‘The drink you have when you’re not having a drink’ - Claytons. Favoured by my Parents’ era (there has always been a bottle stashed at the family shack or in the cellar - and those around in the 70s & 80s will remember that commercial featuring Jack Thompson) this one is definitely worth rediscovering. Billed as an intense kola tonic it’s best quality is that it’s not sickly sweet - better still when mixed with sparkling water. Add a sprig of mint, a slice of cucumber & ice to further up the cool factor.
5: And finally - Sparkling Shiraz…
Because we are from the Barossa and Sparkling Shiraz is a pretty good analogy for Barossa locals; earthy, generous & a little complex, yet bubbling with a dry sense of humour, it just had to have a place in this list. Once you’ve experienced it, the engaging personality lingers, like the memory of a favourite childhood holiday destination, drawing you back again and again. It’s festive, it’s bubbly & importantly it’s cold - but it’s different and darkly enchanting. Another bonus? Goes delightfully well with those turkey leftovers too. Get on it & join the cult of the dark bubbles.
Happy new year & happy new drinking
Cheers!
