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Classic Manhattan // A Well Crafted Party Photo via Mary Boyden View More: http://maryboyden.pass.us/newyearseveparty

The new year is a time to look forward to all the things to come. But, the thing about the new year that I like most is the time to reflect a little bit on the year that has just past and the years leading up. A classic cocktail is a great way to give a nod to the past as you celebrate the future. This year at your New Year’s Eve party serve a classic martini or this classic manhattan cocktail to give your party a touch of old-style class.

These images were taken by the fabulous Portland-area wedding photographer Mary Boyden as a part of a styled shoot collaboration with Suzannah (Create-Enjoy) and Kelsey (Ladies in Navy). The vintage rental items were sourced through Something Borrowed in Portland, Oregon. I can’t wait to show the whole shoot beginning on Monday with free printables and New Years Eve party worthy recipes.

Classic Manhattan // A Well Crafted Party Photo via Mary Boyden View More: http://maryboyden.pass.us/newyearseveparty

Classic Manhattan Cocktail // A Well Crafted Party photos by Mary Boyden View More: http://maryboyden.pass.us/newyearseveparty

How to make a Classic Manhattan Cocktail

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Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Whiskey
  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 dashes Bitters (I used Angostura)
  • Maraschino Cherries
  • Ice
  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Optional: Orange peel

Note about Whiskey: Some bartenders will swear by Rye whiskey for a manhattan. Personally, I like Bourbon Whiskey the most so I use bourbon whiskey in my manhattan. I used Burnside Bourbon from Eastside Distilling for this cocktail.

Note about Maraschino Cherries: I don’t like the bright red maraschino cherries you can find with the sundae toppings in most grocery stores. Typically those cherries are bleached and then filled with a syrup that has artificial dyes to make that bright red color. I tend to skip the cherry all together if that is the cherry offered. However, you can easily make your own Maraschino cherries or buy versions that are made without artificial dyes. I used Tillen Farms Organic Maraschino Cherries (which are a beautiful bright pink in color) and they were delicious!

Directions:

  1. Pour all ingredients over ice in shaker
  2. Shake well
  3. If using the optional orange peel, rub around the rim of your cocktail glass. The orange oils will deposit on the rim and give your drink an extra delicious kick.
  4. Strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with a cherry and enjoy!

Classic Manhattan Cocktail // A Well Crafted Party Photo By May Boyden View More: http://maryboyden.pass.us/newyearseveparty


Resources:
Photography by Mary Boyden— Connect: Website, Facebook, Instagram
Vintage Rentals by Something Borrowed— Connect: Website, Facebook, Instagram
Cocktail Napkins from Hen House Linens— Connect: Website, Facebook, Instagram
Aqua Leather Wrap Bracelet via Flourish Leather— Connect: Website, Facebook, Instagram
Styled Shoot by Bloggers of Create-Enjoy, Ladies in Navy & A Well Crafted Party:
Connect with Suzannah of Create-Enjoy: Website, Facebook, Instagram
Connect with Kelsey of Ladies in Navy: Website, Facebook, Instagram
Connect with ME! Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest OR Click Share on the bottom of this post!

There is nothing quite like a fabulous, last minute party. I love planning out a party as much as any party-obsessed person out there. But, sometimes, I decide at the last minute that I want to throw a shin-dig and I pull out some items from my party closet, print off some free printables, use my home (and holiday) decor items, and whip together a few easy recipes (or have people bring some food items). There is NO reason you can’t throw a fabulous, inexpensive New Year’s Eve bash…. even if you didn’t decide to do it until TODAY! Check out these easy tips (and beautiful photos) on how to throw a festive NYE event in just two days.
This post is super image heavy with beautiful photos from Motormouth Studios. This party was first featured on Pizzazzerie.com.

Quick New Year’s Eve Party Tip #1:

Use your home decor and your holiday decor to round out your party decor! Take out those few items that are SUPER Christmasy and leave out the pretty baubles that fit with your color scheme. All metallics work great for NYE! The lovely home decor pictured above is from the home of Adi from Garden of Edlen.

Quick New Year’s Eve Party Tip #2:

Make super easy appetizers and treats that don’t require a lot of prep time or cook time. OR have guests contribute by bringing some treats. Check out The Spicy Bee and Fork & Vine for some recipe ideas!

Quick New Year’s Eve Party Tip #3:

Glam up your service and dinnerware with some super easy DIY tricks. Check out the Festive Appetizer Plate Upgrade and the Easy DIY Food Platters tutorials for some fast and easy ways to upgrade your party!

Quick New Year’s Eve Party Tip #4:

Serve one or two signature drinks and then add in some sparkling water, soda, and champagne to even out your drink selection. The champagne ice above has frozen carnations in the ice! The Rosemary Bliss Cocktail was a fresh and delicious way to start a new year!

 

Quick New Year’s Eve Party Tip #5:

Use free printables to upgrade your party and set it apart! Check out my free NYE printables!

Quick New Year’s Eve Party Tip #6:

Have fun with New Year’s Eve traditions… such as, the midnight kiss! We set out a bowl of kisses and told guests “Don’t Wait for Midnight!” We also set out a bowl of chapsticks and mints for guests to get “Kiss Ready!”

 

Quick New Year’s Eve Party Tip #7:

Have fun!! Fun is absolutely contagious. Even if you didn’t get EVERYTHING you wanted to get done finished… enjoy your party and enjoy welcoming the New Year. Your guests will certainly enjoy themselves more if you are leading the way in having a good time!

 


If you liked this post then check out these posts from the same party feature!
Savory Chevre Balsamic Chips
This past week I featured tons of NYE party DIYs and Tips from this mock-party,
first featured on Pizzazzerie.com!
A BIG thank you to my NYE party collaborators— 
Check out their blogs!
Photography: Macey of Motormouth Studios
Event Styling: ME! of A Well Crafted Party
Menu: Bee of The Spicy Bee and Kate of Fork and Vine
Venue Styling: Adi of Garden of Edlen
Model Styling: Sarah of The Confessions of a Product Junkie
Models: Sarah, Carter, Kate, Will, Adi, Matt, Kayla of Fit Life Forward and Suzannah of Adventures in Dressmaking

 
I’m excited to share the printable collection I created for the Chic & Modern New Years’ Eve party I did in collaboration with several Portland Bloggers. I wanted to bring in some fairly traditional New Years’ Eve colors (black, white bright magenta, and gold) and add in a touch of wood to make the party pop a bit. I’m pretty much in love with how these printables turned out and am so excited to share them with you!
 
Head on over to the New Year’s Eve Printables 2013 collection I’ve posted on Scribd and download your New  Years Eve printables now! 
 
  • Printable Instructions
  • NYE Party invite
  • NYE Subway Art
  • NYE Party Circles/Squares (can be used as decoration or cupcake toppers)
  • Food Labels for “Savory Snacks” and “Sinful Sweets”
  • Fortunes for the New Year Drink tags in black, pink, and wood. Also, a print for the back of the tags.

***As with all of my free printables… this collection is to be for Personal Use only. Please do not post a link directly to the downloads on your site/social network, but rather a link to this page. If you use the printables I’d LOVE to see photos of your event (not required, but really appreciated!) Thanks so much! ****

Follow along this week and next for more of this party, first featured on Pizzazzerie.com! I’ll be featuring a tasty cocktail, an appetizer recipe, a few DIY projects, and some DIY party tips for your NYE party!

A BIG thank you to my NYE party collaborators— 
Check out their blogs!
Photography: Macey of Motormouth Studios
Event Styling: ME! of A Well Crafted Party
Menu: Bee of The Spicy Bee and Kate of Fork and Vine
Venue Styling: Adi of Garden of Edlen
Model Styling: Sarah of The Confessions of a Product Junkie
Models: Sarah, Carter, Kate, Will, Adi, Matt, Kayla of Fit Life Forward and Suzannah of Adventures in Dressmaking

 

Loving all these free printables and want to fuel more free printable designs?

Cups of coffee are appreciated!

 

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