New Year’s Resolutions for the Cocktail Lover
Everyone usually has the same, traditional New Year’s resolutions: losing weight, eating better, or traveling more. Those are definitely valid things to work on, but c’mon, they’re not very exciting. If lighter pours made your list, these healthy holiday cocktails will carry you through January without feeling like punishment. This year, spice things up a little! This can be the year you master mixology and become the go-to cocktail expert among your friends and family. And, to get you started, we’ve come up with three New Year’s resolutions for any cocktail lover.
1. Once a month, I will make a new cocktail. It can be easy to get stuck in a rut. But this year, challenge yourself to try new things and get out of your comfort zone.
You don’t need to go crazy: if you like whiskey, there are hundreds of different brands out there, so try a new one! If you’re a vodka-lover, try a sweeter gin, like Hendrick’s. For cocktails, if you like Mojitos, try a Dark and Stormy.
If you like Old Fashioneds, try a Sazerac. Or, if you like Moscow Mules, go for a French 75.
2. I will invest in quality tools and accessories to make my cocktails better. Are you guilty of stirring a cocktail with a kitchen spoon? Or using the same glass for every drink?
What about straining with a colander? We love the creativity, but it’s time to get the right bar tools to take your cocktails to the next level. For the very basics, we recommend investing in a Rocks glass (6 for $18) for everything from an Old Fashioned, to a margarita, and Highball (12 for $25) for any drinks that aren’t shaken.
As far as tools, go for a cocktail shaker ($8), Hawthorne strainer ($4) and bar spoon (2 for $5).
3. I will learn more about the history and origins of the ingredients I use. You know that an Old Fashioned calls for Angostura Bitters, but what are bitters and what do they add to a drink? What is the difference between Bourbon, Scotch and Whiskey?
And, what really constitutes a “perfect cocktail?” This is the year to answer all your burning cocktail-related questions. You could research some cocktail classes in your area, or even easier, buy a book and teach yourself. Some of our favorites: “Bitters: A Spirited History of a Classic Cure-All, with Cocktails, Recipes, and Formulas” ($17), “Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail” ($22), and “The Bartender’s Bible: 1001 Mixed Drinks and Everything You Need to Know to Set Up Your Bar” ($7).
Last modified on August 6, 2026
