It’s here, folks…the Big Night!
And while many of us are likely ringing out 2021 in low-key fashion, that’s no reason to get a little luxe with it. Spring for the good champagne, trade out those sweatpants for your fancy threads, run a comb through that 5-day bedhead, and party like you’ve earned it.
...Because you have!
Okay, so maybe 2021 didn’t live up to the hopes we had for a return to “normal.” It still gave us plenty of reasons to celebrate and be grateful. Remember the past glorious summer that felt like a new lease on life? Barbecues and beach days and road trips never felt so good as they did in the summer of 2021. Remember the long, luxurious fall we enjoyed here in the Keweenaw? We’ll never forget how the trees turned colors in waves, lighting up our landscape for 3 solid months. And omg, guys…remember PastyFest? Close your eyes and you can still taste that duck confit.
And there was so much more:
- Live music came back.
- Britney Spears was released from her conservatorship.
- The U.S. re-entered the Paris Climate Accord and restored protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante.
- Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka took a public stand for mental health.
- Taylor Swift re-released “Red.”
- Juneteenth became a federal holiday.
- And a species of orchid that scientists believed was extinct was found growing on top of an investment bank in London.
Look at your own life, and you’ll find plenty of reasons to celebrate, too. If anything, the small, private moments of triumph are magnified by the big-picture adversity. If you managed to do one thing you’re proud of this year, in the face of so much challenge, then you deserve the cheeriest “Cheers!” we can send you.
Speaking of which…
We’ve collaborated with our pals at Iron Fish Distillery to offer this special cocktail recipe for your New Year’s Eve enjoyment. Crafted with Copper Queen Whiskey and cold brew made from our special edition Jamaican Rum Barrel-Aged Coffee, this creamy, bittersweet libation is the ideal way to keep you going strong until it’s time to pop the champers at midnight.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Note: this cocktail is made with cold coffee concentrate, which takes about 8 hours to prepare. Get it set up now, and you'll be ready to mix it up when party time comes.
New Year's Eve Cocktail from KCW and IFD
- 1 1/2 oz. Copper Queen whiskey
- 1 oz. heavy whipping cream
- 1 oz. sweetened coffee concentrate (see below)
- 1/2 oz. cinnamon honey simple syrup (see below)
- 1-2 dashes aromatic bitters
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a small shaker
- Dry shake for about 10 seconds to blend ingredients
- Add ice and shake again (about 30 seconds)
- Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass
- Garnish with freshly grated cinnamon stick
Cinnamon Honey Simple Syrup
- 8 cups honey
- 8 cups hot water
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients in a large mason jar, stir until well blended
- Let rest for 3-4 hours
- Strain through a cheese cloth or fine sieve to remove majority of cinnamon sediment
Sweetened Coffee Concentrate
-
2 Cups Barrel Aged Coffee Concentrate
- 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan
Heat on low-medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved - about 6-8 minutes
Cool Completely
Instruction for Barrel-Aged Cold Brew concentrate
- We always use a 1:1 grounds to water ratio when making cold brew, so to yield 2 cups concentrate use 2 cups of coarse-ground barrel-aged coffee and 2 cups of filtered water. Steep for 12 to 16 hours.
- You can use a French Press or mason jar with filter to steep your grounds.
- Once steep is complete, strain and store in fridge for up to 2 weeks.