30 New Year’s Eve Cocktails to Toast Through the Night
The most important part of the last night of the year is the people you spend it with, but if you’re hosting, New Year’s Eve party cocktails and bites are a close second. Whether you’re planning a festive NYE dinner for the family or a glamorous cocktail party with a buffet of appetizers to fuel you through midnight, everyone will appreciate that you chose a special drink to complete the celebration. Below you’ll find a few of our favorite New Year’s drinks, including Champagne cocktails, large-format punch recipes, and classic cocktails that have been around to ring in the new year since auld lang syne.
Looking for more new cocktails to try? Sign up for our drinks newsletter, After Hours.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell3/30Classic Dry Martini
Martini preferences vary, but pretty much every martini is delicious with old-school appetizers like shrimp cocktail and gougères. Consider setting out a DIY martini bar with an assortment of gins, vodka, dry vermouth, and garnishes so that everyone can mix their own drink. (Ask a few guests to bring backup bags of ice too.)
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews4/30Champagne Punch With Brandy and Citrus
Fresh grapefruit juice, lime, and lemon balance this minty punch, which gets its oomph from cognac or other brandy.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich7/30Jersey Lightning
Manhattans feel like a swanky choice for an NYE party. But you might like this easy apple-brandy-based riff even better.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich8/30Bee’s Knees
See if you can find some local honey to make this 3-ingredient gin drink.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton10/30Fleming Fizz
The smoky Penicillin goes fizzy in this festive winter cocktail. You’ll make a spicy ginger-honey syrup in advance, then mix it with scotch, fresh lemon juice, and chilled sparkling wine.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele15/30Stroke of Midnight
Making a big-batch cocktail means a chilly drink is ready to pop and pour. This pear-scented martini variation just needs a lemon twist on top.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele16/30Life of the Party
Your New Year’s Eve cocktail plan needs a nonalcoholic drink, and this booze-free pitcher cocktail is a showstopper.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Judy Haubert17/30Salted Amaro Espresso Martini
Not sure you’re gonna make it to midnight? Consider a homemade espresso martini—or this fabulous citrusy variation on the coffee drink.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton18/30Gourmet’s Classic Eggnog
This might be the last chance to drink eggnog this year, so make it a good version of the holiday staple. This classic recipe is a longtime favorite, but we also love this one made with coffee and sherry and this variation with smoky tea.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton19/30Apples and Oranges
A superlative take on spiked cider, stirred with amaro, citrusy Grand Marnier, and salted butter for hot-buttered-rum-meets-caramel-apple vibes.
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen20/30Champagne Punch With Ginger, Lemon, and Sage
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert21/30Classic Whiskey Sour
Stock up on the good cocktail cherries if you plan to make this drink for New Year’s.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Judy Haubert22/30Fino Martini
Fino martini is particularly food-friendly; pour a round of these as your guests dive into all of the hors d’oeuvres you’ve set out.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou23/30Lipstick Memory
Lovers of bitter drinks like negronis and boulevardiers will appreciate this tart cranberry and Campari cocktail. Carefully singe the rosemary garnish for a little smoky botanical aroma.
Photo by Denny Culbert24/30Celery Stalker
Celery bitters give this sparkling drink a lightly savory side. Any drops left over will be great mixed with seltzer after your party.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne25/30Aperitif Scorpion Bowls
This flexible punch recipe is great for using up any sweet vermouth you opened this month—and whatever amaro you have on the bar cart.
Photo by Kelly Puleio26/30Bitter French
Gin, lemon, sugar, and sparkling wine makes a French 75, but adding Campari makes it something else altogether. This crisp and lightly bitter drink might become your new go-to.
27/30All She Wrote
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones30/30Adonis Spritz
When people Google “cocktail drinks for New Year’s Eve,” we’re guessing they’re looking for simple New Year’s party cocktails, like this refreshing combo of sherry, sweet vermouth, club soda, and bitters. Why make life harder when easy drinks like this are so delicious?
