New Year’s Eve cocktails do a lot of the heavy lifting at midnight. The right glass in your hand turns an ordinary countdown into a proper celebration, and this roundup of New Years cocktails has 25 ways to get there.
Some of these NYE drinks come together in five minutes, and others can be prepped ahead so you’re not stuck behind the bar while everyone else is having fun.
You’ll find classic champagne cocktails like the French 75, plus coffee martinis, creamy dessert cocktails, warm mugs for chilly nights and an alcohol-free option for anyone skipping the booze.
Hosting a party crowd or keeping it low-key at home, these new years cocktail recipes cover every mood and skill level. Bookmark this list for new years eve party drinks now, and come back to it for holiday cocktails and festive crowd-pleasers all season long.
For more New Years Eve drinks recipes, also take a look at these espresso martini recipes, Kahlua cocktail ideas, and these holiday mocktail recipes.
French 77 Champagne Cocktail
Skip the shaker and pour this three-ingredient sparkler straight into a coupe glass. Elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice and bubbles make a floral, elegant toast for midnight.
Get the recipe: French 77 Cocktail
Siciliano Coffee Cocktail
Bittersweet amaro, sweet vermouth and chilled coffee get shaken with a splash of soda in this Italian cocktail. Finish it with an orange twist for a grown-up midnight nightcap.
Get the recipe: Siciliano Cocktail
Peach Pop Bellini
Blend canned peaches, freeze them on cocktail picks and drop one into a flute of sparkling wine. The recipe makes six servings, and the peach pops store well, so you can prep way ahead.
Get the recipe: Peach Bellini
Hazelnut Espresso Martini
Warm espresso, vodka, Kahlua and Frangelico shake up into a frothy, nutty martini with real wow factor. Add chocolate liqueur for a sweeter finish and serve it as your NYE party showstopper.
Get the recipe: Hazelnut Espresso Martini
Bourbon Smash
Muddle lemon and fresh mint, shake with bourbon and simple syrup, then strain over ice for a bright whiskey cocktail that feels like a smoother, richer mojito. Ready in five minutes.
Get the recipe: Bourbon Smash
Limoncello Spritz
Three parts limoncello, two parts prosecco and a splash of soda is all it takes. This sunny Sicilian-style spritz is pretty, crisp and lemony, and perfect for your NYE cocktails menu.
Get the recipe: Limoncello Spritz
Classic Cosmopolitan
This classic Cosmo keeps things bright, fresh and just tart enough, with plenty of lime balancing the sweetness. Shake one up in minutes for a stylish pink cocktail drink at your New Years celebration.
Get the recipe: Cosmopolitan
Colombian Canelazo
Need spiced, cozy NYE drink ideas? Simmer panela and cinnamon sticks, stir in aguardiente and lime, and ladle it steaming into mugs. This cozy Andean sipper makes four servings and fills the kitchen with spice.
Get the recipe: Colombian Canelazo
Blackberry Prosecco Cocktail
A touch of blackberry syrup turns a bottle of dry prosecco into jewel-toned flutes. Top each with fresh berries for an easy toast that looks far fancier than it is.
Get the recipe: Blackberry Champagne Cocktail
Champagne Margarita
Shake tequila, orange liqueur, lime and agave with a pinch of edible glitter, then strain into a sugar-rimmed glass and top with champagne. A fizzy, shimmery twist for margarita fans at midnight.
Get the recipe: Champagne Margarita
Espresso White Russian
A shot of espresso gives the classic White Russian an extra caffeine kick. Pour the cream slowly over the back of a spoon for a pretty layered look that suits a cozy after-party.
Get the recipe: White Russian
Classic French 75
Gin, lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup get a quick shake before a champagne topper and a curl of lemon peel. This crisp, boozy bubbly takes under five minutes and always feels fancy.
Get the recipe: French 75 Cocktail
Melon Ball Drop Cocktail
Bright green Midori meets citrus vodka, orange and lemon in a fruity cocktail named for the Times Square ball drop. Garnish with a skewer of honeydew balls for a playful countdown.
Get the recipe: Ball Drop Cocktail
Cranberry Gin Fizz
Tart cranberry, fresh orange and botanical gin get topped with sparkling water for a ruby-red fizz that is ready in five minutes. A rosemary sprig adds a fragrant, festive finish.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Gin Fizz
Cranberry Gimlet
Sour cranberry, orange-infused gin and sweet mandarin syrup come together under a generous pour of cava. This deep-red gimlet is fizzy, festive and built for a toast with friends.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Gimlet
Glitter Ball Cocktail
Roll a frozen ice sphere in gold luster dust and drop it into a flute of champagne, vodka and orange liqueur. The shimmery plunge sets off a fizzy reaction right at the table.
Get the recipe: Glitter Ball Cocktail
Classic Espresso Martini
Vodka, coffee liqueur and a fresh shot of espresso shake into a smooth, foamy martini. Pour one for the countdown and keep the energy going well past midnight.
Get the recipe: Espresso Martini
Cinnamon RumChata Shots
Creamy RumChata and spicy Fireball taste just like the milk left in a cereal bowl. Rim the glasses with cinnamon sugar and shake up a party round in five minutes.
Get the recipe: Cinnamon RumChata Shots
Mulled White Wine
Gently warm dry white wine with orange, lemon, cinnamon, cloves and star anise for a cozy Christmas-market classic. Keep it below a boil and serve in mugs to warm up a chilly countdown.
Get the recipe: Mulled White Wine
Cranberry Hugo Spritz
Fresh cranberries, lime and mint add a festive twist to the popular Italian cocktail, mixed with St. Germain, orange liqueur and prosecco. It is light, refreshing and easy enough to build right in the glass on New Years.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Hugo Spritz
Pomegranate Aperol Spritz
Pomegranate juice and Aperol get a bubbly lift from prosecco. Dress it with orange slices and juicy pomegranate arils for a vibrant red-and-orange NYE party drink.
Get the recipe: Pomegranate Aperol Spritz
Apple Cider Cocktail
Two ingredients and two minutes are all you need for this Fireball cinnamon-spiced cider cocktail. Serve it steaming in a mug or poured over ice, then add apple slices, star anise and rosemary.
Get the recipe: Apple Cider Cocktail
Mint Brandy Alexander
Brandy, creme de cacao, creme de menthe and vanilla ice cream blend into a minty dessert drink that is half cocktail, half milkshake. Dust with cocoa and serve in a martini glass.
Get the recipe: Mint Brandy Alexander
Cranberry Ginger Beer Mocktail
Pure cranberry and blood orange juices meet a hint of vanilla and a fizzy pour of ginger beer. This alcohol-free NYE mocktail recipe comes together fast and batches easily for a crowd.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Mocktail
Caramel Rum Martini
Dulce de leche liqueur, dark rum, cream and a hint of vanilla shake into a velvety dessert-in-a-glass. Top with whipped cream, a silky drizzle and a pinch of cinnamon for a festive cocktail idea.
Get the recipe: Caramel Rum Martini
More New Years Eve Recipes
Loved these New Year’s Eve cocktails? Pair with some of these holiday recipes:
