Festive drinks for a greener New Year's Eve

Françoise emailed me from Québec to say she is busy planning a green May wedding in her home town of Wakefield, which should be glorious. (Félicitations, Françoise et Michel!) I've been there twice now and it's one of loveliest towns in North America. Here's a picture of the house we stay in when in Wakefield...

Gorgeous, isn't it? Anyway, Françoise asked if in the meantime I had any ideas for eco-friendly alcoholic drinks for her upcoming New Year's Eve party, so here we go...

First of all, there's...

Fairtrade Bucks Fizz / Mimosa

...which I wrote about on here back in October but have included again as it's just as appropriate for New Year's as it is for a wedding reception...

**Freshly-squeezed organic orange juice
**Dry, sparkling, organic white wine (and if possible, locally produced)

Combine together in champagne glasses, in whatever proportions you prefer! If you want to add a little kick to this recipe you can include a dash of an orange-based (preferably organic) liqueur.

Next, you could try this if you want something a little stronger ...

Eco Champagne Cocktail

The secret to champagne cocktail is the use of Angostura Bitters which, as it's made in Trinidad and Tobago, can't claim to be local produce for those of us who live and party beyond the Caribbean. However despite it having a secret recipe we're assured it's made from natural herbs and potions, which helps. Also, as you'll only ever need a few drops at a time and you buy it in reasonable sized bottles, one bottle could last you for years, which also helps. Here's how it goes:

**One fairtrade sugar cube per serving
**Angostura Bitters
**Organic brandy
**Organic (and if possible, locally produced) dry champagne or sparkling white wine

Place the sugar cube in the bottom of a wine glass glass and sprinkle it with 3 or 4 drops of Bitters. Then add brandy until the sugar cube is submerged, and finally top up with the champagne or sparkling wine.

Now, for something a bit richer...

Ethical Egg Nog

There are dozens of variants to this traditional Holiday punch, so I have just suggested basic ingredients which you can vary as you please. To serve about 6. (This recipe involves the use of raw eggs which can be a health hazard.)

**6 organic, range-free eggs
**75cl organic milk (whole or otherwise but preferably not skimmed)
**8 tablespoons fairtrade sugar or organic honey
**1 tablespoon fairtrade vanilla essence
**Couple of gratings fairtrade nutmeg
**Organic / fairtrade alcohol of your choice, if you want (rum, scotch, whiskey, brandy, etc.) ... to taste, but don't drown it.

Beat the eggs in a large bowl and gradually add the other ingredients. Then cover the bowl and chill the mixture for two or three hours before serving.

Last but not least, there's the eco-friendly take on another classic drink for this time of the year, extremely popular in Europe...

Sustainable Mulled Wine

The amount you make of this depends, obviously, on how many people you're entertaining and how thirsty they're likely to be, but I have assumed a basis of two 75cl bottles of red wine. This would serve 6-8 people to the extent that they're reasonably merry without being drunk. Adjust my quantities proportionately according to your needs.

**2 bottles organic (and if possible, locally produced) red wine
**60ml organic brandy
**3 or 4 fairtrade cinnamon sticks
**Few gratings of fairtrade nutmeg
**One organic orange, stuck with fairtrade cloves
**2 organic lemons, sliced
**2 organic oranges, sliced
**4 or 5 tablespoons organic honey (or a bit more if you have a sweet tooth)
**Up to 1 litre water or organic fruit juice to dilute/expand (optional)

Picture cheekily borrowed from the Company's Coming website, which I thoroughly recommend for some truly tasty recipes and great books. Thanks for letting me use your photo, guys.

Combine all ingredients into a large pan and heat gently - don't let it get to simmer point and beyond, unless you want all the alcohol to evaporate! Instead let it infuse for about half an hour or longer. Reheat it when you're ready to serve, so it's hot but not boiling, and ladle it out into mugs or cups.

Whatever your potion and however you choose to celebrate, have a wonderful New Year's Eve and I send you all my very best wishes for 2009. See you soon....Sz.