17 Best New Year's Eve Cocktails for Celebrating

Get ready to ring in the New Year with style with this curated and exquisite selection of the best New Year’s Eve Cocktails. From the elegant and sophisticated to the fun and festive, this list includes a cocktail for every taste and preference. Whether you’re a fan of classic recipes with a twist, visually stunning creations, or bubbly champagne cocktails, you’re in for a treat. Cheers to a Happy New Year! 🥂

Collage of 4 different New Year's cocktails.

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Why You’ll Love These Cocktails
Tips for the Best New Year’s Cocktails
New Year’s Eve Cocktail Recipes
Suggested Supplies for New Years Eve Cocktail Parties
FAQ
💬 Reviews

Why You’ll Love These Cocktails

Diverse Flavors: This selection offers a wide range of flavors, from the smoky depth of the Mezcal Manhattan to the sweet whimsy of the Cotton Candy Spritz, ensuring everyone can find a drink they love.

Visual Appeal: Many of these cocktails, like the color-changing Empress Gin French 75 and the Glittery Champagne Jello Shots, are not just drinks but visual spectacles, perfect for the festive ambiance of any New Year’s Eve celebration.

Ease of Preparation: Several of these cocktails, such as the Campari Tonic and the Cranberry Margaritas, are simple to make, allowing hosts to enjoy the party without spending too much time behind the bar. Many of the recipes include instructions for how to make a big batch for a crowd!

Tips for the Best New Year’s Cocktails

Plan for Variety: Offer a couple of different types of cocktails or 1 signature cocktail along with beer and wine to cater to different tastes. If you are making more than one cocktail, consider options that are opposite in flavor and mouthfeel to give your guests options.

Prep in Advance: To minimize stress and maximize enjoyment, prepare as much as possible in advance. Pre-mix or batch cocktails that can be served easily, and have garnishes pre-cut and ready to go. This approach allows you to spend more time celebrating and less time mixing drinks.

Have Fun with the Presentation: The visual aspect of your cocktails can be really fun to play around with. Use festive glassware, colorful garnishes, and even edible glitter or sparklers to make your drinks visually stunning and fitting for the New Year’s Eve celebration. I’ve included some ideas for presentation in the section on “suggested supplies.”

New Year’s Eve Cocktail Recipes

Fitzgerald Cocktail

Named after the author of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, this special drink is a classic twist on a gin sour. It combines gin, fresh lemon juice, and a dash of Angostura bitters for a refreshing and zesty experience. Ideal for gin enthusiasts and those who want a bit of 1920s flair.

Check out this recipe

Fitzgerald gin sour garnished with a lemon wedge on wood surface.

Glittery Champagne Jello Shots

These Champagne Jello Shots mix elegance with fun, using champagne, vodka, and edible glitter for a dazzling treat for any New Year's Eve Party. These would make for a great signature drink option with their sparkling aesthetic.

Check out this recipe

Champagne jello shots on a white serving plate with gold garland in the background.

Empress Gin French 75

A visually stunning twist on the classic champagne cocktail, the French 75, the Empress Gin French 75 features the unique color-changing Empress Gin, combined with lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne for a magical, effervescent experience. With its bubbly and aesthetic look, it's the ideal cocktail for a midnight toast.

Check out this recipe

A coupe glass of Empress Gin French 75 on a cutting board with lemons, a bottle of gin, and tulips in the background.

Negroni Sbagliato

A delightful mistake turned classic, the Negroni Sbagliato offers a lighter take on the traditional Negroni by substituting gin with prosecco making it one of the best bubbly drinks to ring in the New Year. I like to garnish my with rosemary sprigs for a festive feel.

Check out this recipe

Negroni sbagliato cocktail with orange and rosemary on a wood cutting board.

French 95

This bourbon version of the classic gin cocktail, the French 75, is a bold and smooth cocktail. It blends the richness of bourbon with the brightness of lemon and the fizz of champagne for a sophisticated and fancy cocktail. It has a flavor that is similar to a dry, bubbly apple cider.

Check out this recipe

Coupe glass with a dried citrus wheel as garnish.

Rosé Pink Negroni

This twist on the classic Negroni Sbagliato uses pink rosé bubbly instead of prosecco, Lillet Rosé for sweet vermouth, and Aperol instead of Campari. It's a sophisticated and floral cocktail that is perfect for impressing party guests and only requires 3 ingredients!

Check out this recipe

Negroni in a coupe glass with flowers on the side on top of a wicker tray.

Cotton Candy Spritz

This playful fusion of whimsy and sophistication blends sparkling wine and colorful cotton candy for a visually stunning and sweet sip. You can use any color of cotton candy to match the vibe of your New Year's celebration.

Check out this recipe

Pink spritz in a coupe glass with fluffy cotton candy on the rim.

Paper Plane Cocktail

A modern classic, the Paper Plane is the perfect balance of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro, and lemon juice. It's a harmonious blend of bitter, sweet, and sour notes. It's like a more elevated version of a whiskey sour. The recipe includes how to make a (optional) paper plane-shaped lemon twist for a garnish.

Check out this recipe

Cocktail in a coupe glass on a wooden cutting board with a bottle of Aperol and a green plant in the background.

Limoncello Martini

Experience the zest of Italy with this Limoncello Martini. It only requires 3 ingredients vodka, limoncello, and lemon juice for a refreshingly citrusy twist on the classic Lemon Drop Martini.

Check out this recipe

Limoncello martini on a wood cutting board with a bottle of limoncello and a lemon half in the background.

Orange Creamsicle Martini

A nostalgic treat in a glass, this Orange Creamsicle Martini blends whipped cream vodka, orange liqueur, orange juice, and lemon juice for a creamy, dreamy, and citrusy delight. The recipe also includes instructions for making a big batch for a crowd.

Check out this recipe

Orange creamsicle martini on a wood cutting board with greenery and fresh oranges in the background.

Classic Espresso Martini

Born from a bold request for a drink that could "wake me up and then f**k me up", this classic Espresso Martini recipe is a vivacious blend of vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur. Its invigorating nature makes it a great way to keep the energy high as you await the New Year's Eve ball to drop.

Check out this recipe

Espresso martini on a wood surface with a bottle of Kahlua in the background.

Mezcalita

For a smoky take on the classic margarita, the Mezcalita mixes mezcal, citrus fruit juices, and triple sec, offering a bold and flavorful adventure.

Check out this recipe

Mezcalita on a wood surface with a bottle of mezcal and an orange half in the background.

Mezcal Manhattan

Manhattan cocktails are high on the list of sophisticated cocktails that are perfect for New Year's. This smoky reinvention of the classic boozy cocktail blends smoky mezcal, sweet vermouth, and bitters for a complex and intriguing sip.

Check out this recipe

Mezcal Manhattan garnished with a cherry on a cocktail pick.

Campari Tonic

A simple yet captivating blend, the Campari Tonic pairs the bitter notes of Campari with the refreshing crispness of lightly sweet and botanical tonic water. Ideal for a light aperitif if you're serving a meal.

Check out this recipe

Campari tonic on a wood surface with a bottle of Campari and orange half in the background.

Tequila Old Fashioned

A bold twist on a classic, the Tequila Old Fashioned substitutes whiskey with aged añejo tequila, adding agave and bitters for a smooth and robust cocktail.

Check out this recipe

Tequila old fashioned on a wood surface garnished with an orange peel.

Winter Aperol Spritz

This festive cocktail is a wintery take on the classic, summery Aperol Spritz. This drink blends bittersweet Aperol with cranberry juice and sparkling wine for a festive and refreshing cocktail.

Check out this recipe

Winter spritz on a wood board with a mini Christmas tree and bottle of Aperol in the background.

Cranberry Margaritas for a Crowd

Perfect for gatherings, these easy Cranberry Margaritas combine tequila, cranberry juice, and lime juice, offering a tart and refreshing option that's an easy big-batch cocktail. It can be served in a big punch bowl, pitcher, or drink dispenser.

Check out this recipe

Two margaritas next to a bowl of limes and cranberries.

FAQ

What is the most popular drink consumed on New Year’s Eve?

Champagne is traditionally the most popular drink consumed on New Year’s Eve. Its association with celebration and luxury makes it a common choice for toasting the new year.

Why do people drink champagne and champagne cocktails on New Year’s?

Drinking champagne on New Year’s Eve is a long-standing tradition rooted in the beverage’s history as a symbol of luxury, celebration, and festivity. The popping of the champagne cork at midnight has become synonymous with welcoming the new year. Champagne cocktails add variety and creativity to this tradition, allowing for personalization while maintaining the festive spirit.

What can I substitute for champagne in cocktails?

For substitutes to champagne in cocktails, consider Prosecco or Cava, which are both sparkling wines but typically less expensive than champagne and can be equally delicious. For cocktails that include a sweet component already, I recommend dry or brut-style champagne, prosecco, or cava to help balance flavors.

Collage of 12 different New Year's cocktails.

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17 Best New Year’s Eve Cocktails for Celebrating

Why You’ll Love These Cocktails

Tips for the Best New Year’s Cocktails