These 20 New Year's Eve Cocktails Are Sure to Impress Your Guests

Updated October 22, 2019
KIRSTEN FRANCIS
Cheers at midnight with one of these elevated spins on a buzzy classic cocktail.
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KIRSTEN FRANCIS

It may be the last night on your calendar, but New Year's Eve is the most important party of the year—and you simply can't ring in the new year without a cocktail in hand! Reach for your most festive party supplies, get to crafting a few special decorations, and break out Champagne flutes for the whole crowd. While traditional Champagne is simply delightful anytime leading up to midnight, it's not the only thing you and your guests can imbibe in. You have the entire evening to serve up our favorite cocktail recipes that feature tequila, vodka, whiskey, and other sparkling wines. An added bonus? These drinks all pair perfectly with delicious New Year's Eve appetizers and small bites as well as any formal menu you may have planned.

These New Year's Eve cocktail recipes are all stellar variations of classics that you've sipped throughout the year: Our trio of martinis involve zesty seasonal ingredients, as well as a few warming twists to a cosmopolitan, sangria, and a mojito. There are even a few options that incorporate smooth cream and tangy dairy, akin to a festive eggnog option, including our Brandy Alexander, made with coffee liqueur and brandy. All of these cocktail recipes are batch friendly, meaning you can make a few options to be poured all night long. 

Toasting happy endings and new beginnings is what New Year's Eve gatherings are all about. The drink-meets-dessert idea, seen here, captures that sentiment, and to say it's a cinch to prepare is an under-statement. Pour dry sparkling white wine, such as prosecco brut, over a scoop of fruity sorbet—we used Talenti Roman Raspberry, but Ciao Bella Sicilian Blood Orange and Lemon are delicious, too. As it melts, it will make your glass, your night, and possibly your whole next year just a little sweeter.

From sinfully sweet sips—like a rum and coconut cocktail—to pleasantly tart options—such as our lemon-drop Champagne punch—these sips are guaranteed to be a hit with any guest. Follow along as we share our favorite New Year's Eve cocktails.

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Lychee Martinis

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Lychee syrup gives a lightly sweet, floral flavor to this gin martini. For a more authentically Asian flavor, use sake or shochu in place of the gin.

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Red Currant-Champagne Cocktail

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A few spoonfuls of tart red-currant puree add brightness to this easy, elegant cocktail.

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Mandarin Cocktail

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A measure of mandarin liqueur is topped up with Champagne and garnished with aromatic clementine peel in this understated winter cocktail. If mandarin liqueur is not available, you may use Cointreau or Grand Marnier in its place.

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Cognac Sparklers

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The distinctive flavor of Cognac is perfectly complemented by the soft sweetness of sparkling apple cider. A few dashes of bitters in each glass add just the right balance to this cocktail.

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Cranberry Sparkler

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This refreshing nonalcoholic cocktail is made from blackberry puree, white cranberry juice, and sparkling water. You may use frozen berries to make the blackberry puree.

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Raspberry-Chocolate Kiss Cocktail

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Crushed raspberries and mint syrup are shaken up with vodka and a splash of cranberry juice to make this colorful cocktail. The rim of each glass is coated with crushed chocolate cookies.

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Lemon-Drop Champagne Punch

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Simple syrup infused with lemon zest adds aromatic sweetness to this punch made of vodka, lemon juice, and a bottle of Champagne. Garnish each glass of sparkling punch with a strip of candied lemon peel.

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Cranberry Cosmopolitan

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Homemade cranberry- and orange-infused vodka form the base of these deluxe cosmopolitans. The classic cosmo ingredients -- cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice -- complete the cocktail.

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Brandy Alexander

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This version of the sweet, creamy Brandy Alexander is made with cream, coffee liqueur, and brandy. Blend with crushed ice for a frothy treat, or mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain into a martini glass.

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Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail

Kirsten Strecker
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Pear nectar gives buttery smoothness to Moscato d'Asti, a sweet, sparkling white wine. Each glass is garnished with a few dried cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

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Blood-Orange Champagne Cocktails

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Dress up an ordinary mimosa for a special occasion by using brilliant blood-orange juice.

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Coquito

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Bring a taste of the tropics to your New Year's Eve party with these rum and coconut cocktails. Coconut milk, coconut cream, evaporated milk, and fresh grated coconut make these drinks especially rich and creamy.

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Pear and Cranberry Bellini

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Affordable Prosecco is used in place of Champagne in these pink Bellinis made with pear nectar and cranberry juice. These elegant drinks are equally suited to a cocktail party or a New Year's Day brunch.

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Mulled White-Wine Sangria

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Honey syrup is infused with lemon zest, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cloves and mixed with dry white wine and sweet orange Muscat. This white sangria is garnished with a bounty of winter fruit, including apples, pears, Meyer lemons, and kumquats.

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Pomegranate-Champagne Punch

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Pear nectar and orange liqueur are mixed with pomegranate juice and a bottle of Champagne to create this easy, elegant punch. In place of the Champagne, you may use Prosecco or Cava, or any other variety of sparkling white wine you wish.

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Champagne Fizz

Meredith Jenks
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Add the Champagne just before serving these drinks so your guests can enjoy its effect on the candied ginger.

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Kir Royales

DANA GALLAGHER
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Black-currant liqueur gives this cocktail its deep red hue.

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Frizzante Mojito

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We gave the classic Cuban cocktail a New Year's twist by adding chilled Champagne.

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Ginger Sparkler

Dana Gallagher
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Fresh ginger lends subtle spiciness to this elegant cocktail.

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Sorbet and Champagne Cocktail

Charles Masters
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The classic Champagne cocktail is updated with sorbet in place of the traditional sugar cube and bitters. Use raspberry, passion fruit, lemon, or whichever sorbet flavor you prefer.

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