20 of the Best New Year's Eve Cocktails to Clink this Year

Three, two, one – HAPPY NEW YEAR! Which New Year’s Eve cocktails will you be clinking with friends and family this year? We’ve rounded up 20 amazing celebratory drinks that have that swanky NYE vibe – some are sparkly, some are warm, and some are full-on extra. Take a look to see which one will round off your New Year’s celebrations to perfection. 

1. Happy New Year Cocktail

If you are looking for a drink that’s sweet and delightful, but still packs a heady punch, the Happy New Year Cocktail is going to be right up your alley. Also, the name just kind of makes it perfect for the occasion (we love a thematic tie-in!).  

This boozy cocktail combines 1.5 oz brandy, 0.75 oz ruby port, 0.75 orange juice, and 4 oz Champagne. The first three ingredients are combined in a cocktail shaker with ice, strained into a Champagne glass, and topped off with Champagne. 

2. Kir Royale

The best New Year’s Eve cocktails are often a little sparkly, and you cannot go wrong with a classic Kir Royale. Also called a French Champagne Cocktail, it is one of those amazingly simple drinks that can make a complete newbie look like a seasoned pro when they pour it at home.  

Champagne fan? Try our 10 Best Champagne Cocktails for Any Occasion 

3. French 75

As far as festive New Year’s Eve cocktails go, the French 75 will always get a tip of the hat from us. The cocktail combines gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and sugar syrup. The story goes that barkeep Harry McElhone chose the name because the drink had a fair amount of kick, which he likened to the firepower of the French 75mm field gun that was used during World War I. 

4. Chocolate Martini 

Fancy New Year’s Eve cocktails don’t always have to be effervescent. Since the stroke of midnight is normally quite a way into the celebration, it can be nice to serve a drink with a dessert-like vibe. The Chocolate Martini makes for an indulgent nightcap that’s sure to impress your party guests. In this cocktail, sweetness and booziness come together for a tasty hit of chocolate in a glass. 

5. Rich Coffee Cocktail

Also playing in the NYE nightcap space, the Rich Coffee Cocktail combines 1 oz creme de cacao, 0.5 oz Fernet-Branca, 4 oz coffee, and pistachio whipped cream to serve. You can also swap the Fernet-Branca for a liqueur like Cynar if you’re feeling experimental, or perhaps some Frangelico if want to lean into the nuttiness of the overall flavor profile.  

More like this: 9 Best Coffee Cocktails to End Your Evening with a Kick 

6. Champagne Holiday Punch

For a big-batch punch that is guaranteed to delight a crowd on NYE, we like to look to the Champagne Holiday Punch Cocktail. It contains 1.5 cups Bulldog Gin, 1 cup Champagne, 0.5 cup Grand Marnier, 1 cup club soda, 0.75 cup lemon juice, 0.5 cups simple syrup, 8 dashed of bitters, and plenty of ice. Garnish with fruit slices, star anise pods and grated nutmeg for a jolly holiday finish. This punch serves between 6 to 8 merrymakers. 

7. Figgy Sparkler

Fun New Year’s Eve cocktails are always a treat! The Figgy Sparkler Cocktail is a jaunty, fruity drink that comes to the party with some interesting elements. It contains 0.5 oz SKYY Vodka, 4 oz of Prosecco, 1 medium fresh or dried fig, 2 orange slices, and a handful of fresh cranberries.  

The fig, orange, and most of the cranberries are muddled with vodka and shaken with ice. It is then strained into a Champagne flute, topped off with the Prosecco, and garnished with the rest of the berries, as well as an orange twist. 

8. Brandy Alexander

Glamorous, romantic, and oh-so-sweet, the Brandy Alexander cocktail features a delicious mix of brandy and chocolate liqueur, with the indulgent addition of cream for an extra smooth and silky texture. This boozy dessert cocktail is ideal for those who always crave an after-dinner sweet. 

9. Hot Toddy

If you like to fold your hands around something soothing and warm at the end of an evening, the comforting Hot Toddy might very well be the New Year’s Eve cocktail for you. As a nightcap, it gives you that same warm and cozy vibe you get when easing into the perfect hot bubble bath after a long day. Its ingredients are also things that you are likely to have around the house – Wild Turkey Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, brown sugar, cloves, boiling water, and sliced lemon. 

10. New Year’s Sparkler

Keen on New Year’s Eve vodka cocktails? Take the New Year’s Sparkler for a spin! Add 1 oz SKYY vodka, and 0.5 oz pomegranate juice to a chilled Champagne flute, top it off with Champagne, and garnish it with a few raspberries. Magic! 

11. Bee’s Knees

Ring in the New Year with the Bee’s Knees cocktail, a delightful blend of honeyed sweetness and citrus zing. This classic clinker features a harmonious balance of flavors that dance on the palate, paving the way for a festive and refreshing experience.

12. Pomegranate Martini

Elevate your festive occasion with the Pomegranate Martini, a tantalizing blend of tart and sweet notes that burst with vibrancy. This crimson elixir delivers a refreshing and sophisticated taste, creating a perfect balance that embodies the spirit of celebration.

Read next: 22 Types of Martinis You Should Know

13. Espresso Martini

Coffee lovers will adore the rich, creamy flavors of the Espresso Martini recipe. A smooth bittersweet cocktail, it brings together fresh espresso and coffee liqueur with a rewarding foam layer on top. Perfect for when you need perking up, it makes for a great after-dinner cocktail.

14. Cranberry Martini

Particularly popular around the holidays, the festive Cranberry Martini is a dainty drink that has a zingy bite of bitter-sweetness thanks to the addition of fresh Cranberry juice. If you love a Vodka Cranberry, this is a drink you’ve got to try!

15. Negroni Sbagliato

There are many gin Negroni variations, but none quite as bubbly as the Sbagliato. Its origin is a classic happy accident tale of Prosecco being poured into a Negroni instead of gin. Lucky for us, the bartender, Mirko Stoccohetto, tasted it before throwing it out, and the rest is Negroni Sbagliato history. The bubbles breathe life into the cocktail, while the combination of Prosecco, Campari, and vermouth creates a light and refreshing fruit cocktail flavor.

16. Paloma

If you’re looking for a low-calorie drink with a nice bit of kick, this grapefruit-infused cocktail is going to tick all your must-have boxes. The peppy Paloma has near-universal crowd appeal, and we love serving it with spicy Mexican eats like ceviche and chile rellenos.

You might also like: 14 Best Drinks to Mix with Tequila in 2023

17. Apple Martini

Also known as the Appletini, this crowd-pleaser rose to fame at the same time as the Spice Girls and became just as big just as fast. Combining vodka, apple schnapps, orange liqueur, simple syrup, and lemon juice, the recipe is also nice and easy to master.

18. Pornstar Martini

Created in London in the noughties, the tropical-inspired Pornstar Martini was the brainchild of bartender Douglas Ankrah. Containing vodka, passionfruit liqueur, passionfruit juice, and lime juice, a freshly cut passion fruit half is added on top to garnish. What really sets the Pornstar apart from other types of Martinis, however, is the shot of Prosecco on the side.

Keep it simple: The Definitive List of 2-Ingredient Vodka Cocktails

19. Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

The Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour gives the traditional Whiskey Sour a holiday outfit, with added fruitiness and flavor. Whether you’ll serve it to tickle your guests’ appetites or as an indulgent drink throughout your feasts, it will be an absolute winner!

20. Cranberry Mimosa

Make your festive late mornings even merrier with the Cranberry Mimosa. This fruity variation of the Mimosa is delicious, colorful, and easy to make. It’s ready to drink in five minutes and will pair well with all those delicious savory dishes on your holiday table. So, grab your Champagne flutes, and let’s make merry!

There you have it – 20 fun and festive New Year’s Eve cocktails to add to your drinks line-up this year. Sign up for our newsletter, so we can keep you clinking the good stuff 🥂✨