20 Fun New Year’s Eve Cocktails

What better way to celebrate the end of the year than with these fun New Year’s Eve cocktails?!

Sure, you can always just toast each other with traditional champagne.

But if you want something a little more exciting for your countdown party, these cocktail recipes will certainly fit the bill.

Even people who don’t like cocktails will find something to try on this list. 

There are plenty of sweet and then lots of sour cocktail recipes. Plus, quite a few that will knock your socks off. 

Start the party and get mixing!

New Year’s Eve Cocktails & Drink Recipes

1. Vanilla Cranberry Mimosa

I should start this with a warning: this is not a cheap cocktail to make, and that stands whether you use Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava.

The reason this will be expensive is that lovely stick of black gold. Vanilla pods are crazy-expensive right now, though you can’t say they’re not worth it. 

Luckily, this will still be tasty if you leave that part out!

Ingredients: vanilla vodka, cranberry juice, sparkling wine

2. Red Snapper Cocktail

If you ever take a sip of your morning Blood Mary and think, “I wish this had a floral twist,” you’re in luck.

This red snapper cocktail offers just that, swapping out vodka for botanical gin. 

Of course, the combination of tomato juice, horseradish, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce is quite potent, so choose the gin carefully to compliment all those intense flavors. 

Ingredients: tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce, celery salt, pepper, gin, ice, lemon twist

3. Pomegranate Mimosas

The classic orange mimosa is, well, a classic! But it can get a little boring, and at your New Year’s Eve party, that’s the last thing you’ll want.

Not only is this champagne cocktail bright and beautiful, but the flavor is to die for.

Plus, it looks extra fancy with pomegranate seeds floating in the glass – perfect for the holiday season (and guaranteed to be a hit on Pinterest). 

Ingredients: lime, sugar, champagne, pomegranate juice & seeds, rosemary

4. The Dumpster Fire

This might not have the most inviting name, but it sure is worth making. 

The dumpster fire cocktail is made to celebrate the end of a dumpster fire of a year, and one that won’t be missed.

It packs a punch so it’ll help make you forget all about any drama or disappointment in your life, if only for one night. Party!

Ingredients: gin, Cointreau, lime, lemon juice, Angostura bitters (or Campari), orange twist

5. Fresh Bellini Cocktail

Mimosas are a combination of orange juice and sparkling wine or Champagne. The bellini, on the other hand, uses peach, making this champagne cocktail slightly sweeter. 

If you want this to be as good as possible, use fresh (or frozen peaches) and blend them into a puree. Peach juice will work, but it won’t taste quite as fresh.

Serve it with fresh raspberries for a colorful garnish.

Ingredients: Prosecco, peaches

6. Cranberry Martini (Crantini)

Martini cocktails typically pack a strong punch. As a result, they’re not the best drink to serve at a party, as they’re more of an acquired taste. 

But when you add orange liqueur and sweet-tart cranberry juice to the mix, they’ll be perfect for the holiday season.

Ingredients: vodka, orange liqueur, simple syrup, cranberry juice, ice, sugared cranberries

7. Classic French 75 Cocktail

Have you noticed the gin revolution of the last few years?

I didn’t think it would last this long, but you can’t go anywhere these days without seeing some new, fancy gin cocktail.

For those looking for something more traditional, you can’t go wrong with this French 75.

Around since the early 1900s, this champagne cocktail is just as popular as ever. With that kind of staying power, you know it’s a winner. 

Ingredients: gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, champagne, lemon twist

8. Champagne and St. Germain Cocktail

St. Germain is an elderflower liqueur from France that’s made with hand-picked elderflower blossoms. 

I’m not a massive fan of that flavor, but I know plenty of people that are. 

When you mix it with Champagne, you’ll get lovely bubbles and a touch of wine taste without it overpowering the principal flavor.

Ingredients: St. Germain, champagne, orange wedge

9. Holiday Champagne Punch Recipe

This four-ingredient Champagne punch is the ideal cocktail to serve this holiday season. Just mix everything in the bowl, garnish, and let your guests help themselves. 

I adore ginger beer (the dark & stormy is one of my favorite cocktails), and it gives this a pleasant warmth. 

If you want it a bit sweeter, try using pomegranate instead of cranberry juice. 

Ingredients: champagne, ginger beer, cranberry juice cocktail, grapefruit juice, rum

10. Toasted Almond Drink

As you might’ve guessed, one of the key ingredients for this cocktail is amaretto liqueur. You can’t have a toasted almond drink without almond liqueur, right?

There’s also a dash of Kahlua, which adds coffee and chocolate notes, but not too much that it overpowers the nutty goodness. 

That said, I find this is best served over coffee ice cubes. That way, even as they melt, the drink isn’t watered down but rather enhanced with flavor. 

Ingredients: Amaretto liqueur, Kahlua, cream

11. Pomegranate Margarita

I know I said that the dark & stormy (ginger beer, lime juice, and dark rum) is one of my favorite cocktails, but I have to admit that I’ll always be a margarita gal. 

There’s something so satisfying and nostalgic about the marg, and I love it in all its forms and flavors. 

Pomegranate juice gives this a punch of sweetness and adds lots of festive color.

Ingredients: silver tequila, lime, pomegranate juice, triple sec, simple syrup, ice, lime wedge

12. Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

For many, bourbon is such an under-used cocktail spirit. I know it’s strong, and it can be expensive, but it’s also sweet, smoky, and terrific in plenty of cocktail recipes. 

I happen to love bourbon, and it pairs perfectly with orange. Throw in a bit of vermouth and cranberry, and you’ll have one tasty evening drink.

Ingredients: bourbon, red vermouth, orange juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup, ice

13. Pomegranate Gin Fizz

If you hear a Brit say they want “a glass of fizz,” it usually means Cava or Prosecco.

But they’ll also say that soda is fizzy, so you can use the word with tonic or club soda, too.

So, for this gin fizz, you’ll use club soda or ginger ale to make the pomegranate and gin sparkle.

Ingredients: gin, pomegranate juice, sugar, lime, club soda, ice

14. Mind Eraser Shot

Even if you don’t usually do shots, the holiday season is the time to try new things. And no doubt, your guests will love the chance to relive their 20s. 

For this three-ingredient drink, you’ll need to carefully pour one liquid over the next, using the back of a spoon to keep them from mixing. 

I like to use whipped cream vodka for a sugar punch, but salted caramel also works well.

Ingredients: coffee liqueur, vodka, club soda

15. Sparkling Margarita

Someone has given this old girl a makeover, and I think you’ll agree she’s classier than ever. 

I drink margaritas because I love the taste, and though I usually like them simple and on the rocks, this bubbly version hooked me after one sip. 

Don’t worry about finding expensive Champagne for this. It mixes with tequila, so you’ll be just as happy with something cheaper. 

Ingredients: tequila, lime, triple sec, champagne,

16. Espresso Martini with Baileys

Espresso martinis are classy, sophisticated, and, well — strong!

But if you add Baileys to the mix, it becomes rich, creamy, and insanely smooth.

And since we all get a bottle around the holidays, this is the perfect way to use it up!

Ingredients: Baileys, espresso, vodka, coffee beans

17. Classic Sidecar Cocktail

Here’s another traditional cocktail that has stood the test of time. People go back to this recipe over and over, and after one sip, you’ll see why.

The simple combination of Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice is potent, zesty, yet quite clean. It’s super refreshing, provided you remember to sip and not glug!

Ingredients: Cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice, lemon twist

18. Kir Royale

You know that the mimosa uses Champagne and orange juice while the bellini goes for peach flavor.

So now, here’s a French champagne cocktail that’s as light and elegant as it is scrumptious. 

If you’ve never tried Creme de cassis before, I can’t recommend this enough. It has such a deep berry flavor, but the bubbles keep it pleasant and light. 

Ingredients: Creme de cassis, champagne

19. Cranberry Gin and Tonic

I’ve never been a fan of the gin and tonic and that’s all down to the tonic.

I don’t enjoy the bitterness of tonic water, and when it’s mixed with the botanical flavors of gin, I find it even sourer. 

Still, a part of me wanted to give this a try, and I’m so glad I did. It’s crazy easy to make, and that little touch of cranberry juice makes all the difference. 

Ingredients: cranberry juice, gin, orange juice, simple syrup, thyme, tonic water, ice

20. Spiced Winter Sangria

Sangria is one of those cocktail recipes often used during the summer. It’s sweet, rich, and full of fruity goodness. 

But have you ever tried a winter version before?

It’s still full of red wine and deep flavors, but there’s also seasonal spices, like cinnamon, anise, and clove. 

Serve it with lots of cranberries and orange slices.

Ingredients: red wine, oranges, brandy, apple, pear