20 Fun New Year’s Drinks to Toast at Midnight

When the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve, people everywhere celebrate. They do this with festive drinks and midnight toasts. It’s a time for happiness, thinking about the past, and looking forward to the future.

Having the right holiday beverages can really make your celebration special. Whether you’re throwing a big party or having a small get-together, the right drink can make it better.

This guide has tasty and festive drink recipes for the new year. You’ll find everything from champagne classics to warm winter drinks and even non-alcoholic options. There’s something for everyone.

Key Takeaways

• Delicious and festive drink recipes for New Year’s Eve
• Champagne-based classics and warm winter cocktails
• Non-alcoholic options for all ages
• Tips for setting up a self-serve station
• Practical advice for preparing cocktails in advance

Ringing in the New Year with Festive Drinks

When midnight hits, people around the world cheer and drink. This moment is special, filled with hope and joy. Each place has its own drink for this time, like champagne in the West and sake in Japan.

“The way we celebrate the New Year is a reflection of our values and traditions,” says David Wondrich, a cocktail historian. The right drink can make your party special. We’ll look at drinks for New Year’s Eve, from classic to fun and even non-alcoholic ones.

Drinks are more than just something to drink. They create lasting memories. Whether it’s a big party or a small one, the right drink matters a lot.

Let’s raise a glass to the New Year with the perfect toast!

Champagne-Based Cocktails for a Sparkling Celebration

When the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve, champagne cocktails shine. They add elegance to the party. Champagne is perfect for special occasions, like New Year’s Eve. It’s bubbly and luxurious, making great cocktails.

1. Classic Champagne Cocktail

The Classic Champagne Cocktail is loved for generations. It’s simple yet elegant. It’s great for those who love the finer things.

Ingredients

• A sugar cube
• Angostura bitters
• Champagne or sparkling wine
• A lemon twist for garnish

Preparation Steps

1. Put the sugar cube in a champagne flute.
2. Soak the sugar with Angostura bitters.
3. Fill the glass with cold champagne.
4. Top with a lemon twist.

Presentation Tips

Use fancy champagne flutes to show off the bubbles. Keep the drink cold but not too cold. The bitters make a pretty color gradient.

2. Midnight Mimosa

The Midnight Mimosa is a fun twist on the classic Mimosa. It’s perfect for New Year’s Eve. It’s fruity and refreshing.

Ingredients

• Champagne or prosecco
• Fresh orange juice
• A splash of Grand Marnier or Cointreau for extra flavor
• Optional garnishes like orange slices, berries, or edible gold flakes

Preparation Steps

1. Mix champagne and orange juice in a 2:1 ratio for a more celebratory version.
2. Add a splash of Grand Marnier or Cointreau for enhanced flavor.
3. Mix gently to preserve the bubbles.

Presentation Tips

Serve in champagne flutes with a sugar or gold sugar rim. Add frozen cranberries or a few drops of blackberry or blueberry juice for a “midnight” look.

3. French75

The French75 is a sophisticated cocktail with a rich history. It’s a mix of champagne and gin, perfect for New Year’s Eve.

Ingredients

• Gin
• Fresh lemon juice
• Simple syrup
• Champagne or sparkling wine
• A lemon twist or peel for garnish

Preparation Steps

1. Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a champagne flute.
3. Top with well-chilled champagne.

Presentation Tips

Traditionally, serve in a champagne flute. But a collins glass works too. Garnish with a lemon twist and add crystallized ginger or edible flowers for elegance.

4. Kir Royale

The Kir Royale is a fancy French drink. It’s a mix of champagne and fruit liqueur, perfect for New Year’s Eve.

Ingredients

• Champagne or sparkling wine
• Crème de cassis (black currant liqueur)
• Optional garnishes like fresh blackberries or currants

Preparation Steps

1. Pour crème de cassis into a champagne flute.
2. Slowly add well-chilled champagne for a color gradient.
3. Gently stir without losing carbonation.

Presentation Tips

Serve in champagne flutes to show off the color. Garnish with fresh blackberries or currants for a nice look and smell.

Signature Cocktails for New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is a time for special drinks. These drinks are more than just champagne. They are unique and fun, perfect for the holiday.

Sparkling Pomegranate Martini

The Sparkling Pomegranate Martini is a bright red drink. It looks great and tastes amazing. It has vodka, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Then, it’s topped with prosecco or champagne.

Ingredients

• Premium vodka
• Pomegranate juice
• Fresh lime juice
• Simple syrup
• Prosecco or champagne
• Pomegranate arils for garnish

Preparation Steps

1. Put vodka, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Top with sparkling wine just before serving.

Presentation Tips

Use martini glasses to show off the drink’s color. Add a sugar or salt rim with gold dust for extra sparkle. Pomegranate arils floating in the drink look beautiful.

Midnight Kiss Cocktail

The Midnight Kiss Cocktail is rich and romantic. It’s made with vanilla vodka, chocolate liqueur, and Baileys Irish Cream. It’s topped with champagne.

Ingredients

• Vanilla vodka
• Chocolate liqueur
• Baileys Irish Cream
• Champagne
• Chocolate shavings or edible gold flakes for garnish

Preparation Steps

1. Mix vodka, chocolate liqueur, and Baileys Irish Cream in a shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled glass.
3. Top with champagne just before serving.

Presentation Tips

Serve in coupe glasses for a fancy look. Add a chocolate drizzle in the glass before pouring. Chocolate garnishes match the drink’s rich taste.

Golden Glamour

The Golden Glamour cocktail is all about luxury. It has bourbon or aged rum, Goldschläger, honey syrup, lemon juice, and bitters.

Ingredients

• Bourbon or aged rum
• Goldschläger
• Honey syrup
• Fresh lemon juice
• Aromatic bitters
• Gold sugar rim or edible gold leaf for garnish

Preparation Steps

1. Mix spirits, honey syrup, lemon juice, and bitters in a shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a glass over ice.
3. Add a cinnamon stick garnish for smell.

Presentation Tips

Use glassware that shows off the drink’s golden color. Choose garnishes that look good and smell great. Apply edible gold leaf for a stunning look.

Times Square Drop

The Times Square Drop is a blue cocktail inspired by New York City’s New Year’s Eve. It has citrus vodka, blue curaçao, lemon juice, and simple syrup. It’s topped with prosecco or champagne.

Ingredients

• Citrus vodka
• Blue curaçao
• Fresh lemon juice
• Simple syrup
• Prosecco or champagne
• Lemon twists or edible silver stars for garnish

Preparation Steps

1. Mix vodka, blue curaçao, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a glass.
3. Top with sparkling wine just before serving.

Presentation Tips

Make it look dramatic by serving in a clear glass. Use a “ball drop” garnish, like a frozen lemonade sphere. Try a countdown rim or layered liqueurs for a cool effect.

Warm Cocktails for Winter Celebrations

Winter brings cold weather, but warm cocktails make it cozy. These drinks warm us up and fill our homes with nice smells. They’re perfect for New Year’s parties.

These cocktails can be made ahead of time. Keep them warm in slow cookers or insulated carafes. They make our guests feel special with their yummy smells and warmth.

Spiked Hot Chocolate

Spiked Hot Chocolate is a yummy drink for New Year’s. It’s creamy and has chocolate and spirits.

Ingredients

• High-quality chocolate (dark and milk)
• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Choice of spirits (bourbon, rum, Baileys, Kahlúa, peppermint schnapps)
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Garnishes (whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, cinnamon sticks)

Preparation Steps

1. Melt the chocolate and mix it with dairy to make a rich base.
2. Add spirits carefully so it doesn’t curdle.
3. Make it sweeter and thicker if you like.

Presentation Tips

Use clear mugs to show off the drink’s color and toppings. Set up a hot chocolate bar for guests to pick their spirit and toppings. Add marshmallow toppers or chocolate spoons for fun.

Mulled Wine

Mulled Wine is a European winter drink. It has spices and festive flavors for New Year’s. It warms everyone up.

Ingredients

• Full-bodied red wine (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon)
• Fresh oranges
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise
• Cloves
• Cardamom pods
• Fresh ginger
• Honey or sugar for sweetening
• Optional: brandy or Grand Marnier

Preparation Steps

1. Warm the wine gently to keep the alcohol and flavor.
2. Add spices for the right taste.
3. Make it sweet with honey and citrus.

Presentation Tips

Use heat-resistant mugs or German glühwein cups. Decorate with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or star anise. Set up a station with a slow cooker or punch bowl for a nice look.

Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Buttered Rum is a rich drink for winter. It’s warm, with rum, butter, and spices.

Ingredients

• Dark or spiced rum
• Special butter batter (softened butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice)
• Hot water or apple cider
• Garnishes (cinnamon sticks, star anise, whipped cream)

Preparation Steps

1. Make the butter batter ahead of time.
2. Mix the butter batter with hot liquid and rum.
3. Make sure the butter melts well.

Presentation Tips

Use warm mugs or Irish coffee glasses. Decorate with butter pats or orange zest. Let guests choose their drink strength at a station.

Spiced Apple Toddy

The Spiced Apple Toddy is a warm drink. It has apple, spices, and spirits. It’s a fun twist on hot toddies.

Ingredients

• Bourbon or apple brandy (Calvados)
• Fresh apple cider
• Honey or maple syrup
• Fresh lemon juice
• Whole spices (cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise)
• Garnishes (apple slices, cinnamon sticks, lemon wheels)

Preparation Steps

1. Warm the cider with spices without boiling.
2. Balance honey sweetness with lemon acidity.
3. Add spirits carefully.

Presentation Tips

Use clear mugs or insulated glasses. Decorate with apple fans or cinnamon-sugar rims. Make a big batch in a slow cooker for easy serving.

20 Fun New Year’s Drinks to Toast at Midnight

The right drink can make your New Year’s Eve celebration unforgettable. Whether you’re hosting a big party or enjoying an intimate gathering, these festive and fun cocktails will impress your guests. They make the occasion even more special.

13. Confetti Martini

The Confetti Martini is a playful and visually striking cocktail. It captures the festive essence of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Its creamy texture and sweet flavor make it a delightful alternative to traditional champagne toasts.

Ingredients

• Vanilla vodka
• White chocolate liqueur
• Cream or half-and-half
• Edible pearl dust or disco dust
• Edible gold or silver flakes
• Colorful sprinkles or rock candy stirrers for garnish

Preparation Steps

1. Combine vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, and cream in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake until chilled and strain into a martini glass.
3. Add edible glitter on top without clumping.

Presentation Tips

Serve in traditional martini glasses with decorative rims. Create swirling patterns with edible glitter to mimic falling confetti.

14. Prosecco Punch

Prosecco Punch is a refreshing and effervescent large-format cocktail. It’s perfect for serving groups at New Year’s Eve parties. It’s a communal drink that brings guests together.

Ingredients

• Prosecco or sparkling wine
• Elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain)
• Fresh citrus juices
• Cranberry juice for color
• Fresh berries, sliced citrus fruits, and herbs for garnish

Preparation Steps

1. Combine non-alcoholic components in advance and chill.
2. Add prosecco just before serving to maintain effervescence.

Presentation Tips

Serve in a decorative punch bowl with a complementary ladle. Use decorative ice molds with embedded fruits or edible flowers.

15. Glitter Berry Fizz

The Glitter Berry Fizz combines fresh berry flavors with a magical shimmer effect. It’s perfect for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Ingredients

• Berry-infused vodka or regular vodka with muddled berries
• Berry liqueur
• Fresh lemon juice
• Edible shimmer dust
• Soda water or prosecco

Preparation Steps

1. Muddle berries to extract flavor.
2. Incorporate edible shimmer dust for an even distribution.
3. Layer components for flavor balance and visual effect.

Presentation Tips

Serve in clear highball or collins glasses to showcase the shimmering effect. Create ombré color effects by layering components.

16. Countdown Cosmopolitan

The Countdown Cosmopolitan is a festive twist on the classic cosmopolitan. It’s designed for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Ingredients

• Citrus vodka
• Orange liqueur
• Cranberry juice
• Champagne

Preparation Steps

1. Balance sweet, sour, and bitter elements.
2. Incorporate champagne float without diluting the drink’s color.

Presentation Tips

Serve in traditional martini glasses with decorative countdown numbers. Create a sugar rim with embedded edible gold or silver.

Non-Alcoholic Options for Everyone

For a fun New Year’s Eve, offer many tasty drinks for everyone. Mocktails and virgin cocktails now have cool flavors and looks. They’re as good as drinks with alcohol, so everyone can join in the fun.

Sparkling Cranberry Punch

This drink is great for all ages at New Year’s. It mixes cranberry, orange, and lime juices for a taste that’s just right.

Ingredients

• Cranberry juice (preferably 100% juice or reduced sugar)
• Fresh orange juice
• Lime juice
• Cinnamon-infused simple syrup
• Sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling cider
• Garnishes like fresh cranberries, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or rosemary sprigs

Preparation Steps

1. Combine cranberry juice, orange juice, and lime juice in a large pitcher.
2. Add cinnamon-infused simple syrup to taste.
3. Just before serving, add sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling cider.
4. Garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.

Presentation Tips

Put the Sparkling Cranberry Punch in a fancy bowl with matching cups. Use ice molds with cranberries and citrus for a cool drink. Rim glasses with colored sugar for a fun touch.

Midnight Mocktail

This mocktail looks and tastes like a fancy cocktail. It’s black from activated charcoal, perfect for New Year’s Eve.

Ingredients

• Blackberry purée
• Fresh lemon juice
• Vanilla-infused simple syrup
• Non-alcoholic aromatic bitters
• Activated charcoal (for the black color)
• Soda water or tonic water
• Garnishes like blackberries, lemon twists, or edible silver dust

Preparation Steps

1. Create and strain the blackberry purée to remove seeds.
2. Mix the purée with lemon juice and vanilla-infused simple syrup.
3. Add a few drops of non-alcoholic aromatic bitters for complexity.
4. Just before serving, add soda water or tonic water for effervescence.

Presentation Tips

Put the Midnight Mocktail in clear glasses with ice. Use blackberry skewers or lemon wheels for garnishes. Add edible silver dust for a midnight look.

Festive Fizz

The Festive Fizz is bright and fun for New Year’s. It mixes elderflower, cucumber, mint, and lime for a fancy taste.

Ingredients

• Elderflower cordial or syrup
• Fresh cucumber
• Mint leaves
• Fresh lime juice
• Sparkling water
• Garnishes like cucumber ribbons, mint sprigs, or edible flowers

Preparation Steps

1. Muddle cucumber and mint leaves gently to release their flavors.
2. Mix in elderflower cordial and lime juice.
3. Top with sparkling water just before serving.
4. Garnish with cucumber ribbons and mint sprigs.

Presentation Tips

Drink the Festive Fizz from champagne flutes. Make ice cubes with mint or flowers. Pour it carefully for a layered look.

New Year’s Resolution Smoothie

This smoothie is healthy and fun for the New Year. It has berries, banana, yogurt, and ginger for a tasty drink.

Ingredients

• Frozen mixed berries
• Banana
• Greek yogurt
• Fresh orange juice
• Hint of ginger
• Optional superfoods like chia seeds or flaxseed
• Garnishes like fresh berries, mint leaves, or edible gold dust

Preparation Steps

1. Blend frozen mixed berries, banana, and Greek yogurt until smooth.
2. Add fresh orange juice and a hint of ginger to taste.
3. If desired, add superfoods like chia seeds or flaxseed for extra nutrition.
4. Garnish with fresh berries and a sprinkle of edible gold dust.

Presentation Tips

Drink the New Year’s Resolution Smoothie from fancy glasses. Top it with coconut whipped cream and gold accents. Layer different colors for a pretty look.

Tips for Serving Drinks at Your New Year’s Party

Are you ready to host a New Year’s Eve party? Think about how you’ll serve drinks without being the only bartender. A good plan can turn a stressful night into a fun celebration.

Creating a Self-Serve Drink Station

A self-serve drink station lets guests make their own drinks. It keeps things organized and looks good. Think about the layout to avoid mess.

Put ice, glasses, and mixers in order. Use labels to help guests. You can use stands and furniture to make it look cool.

Have a friend help keep the station tidy. For the midnight toast, add special drinks and garnishes.

Preparing Drinks in Advance

Make drinks ahead of time to avoid last-minute mixing. You can make syrups, infused spirits, and garnishes early. Store them in good containers.

Use dispensers for easy serving. Prepare garnish trays for quick use. Start with light drinks and then offer special cocktails.

Make sure champagne is chilled for midnight.

Garnish and Glassware Ideas

Make your drinks look great with the right garnishes and glassware. Use festive garnishes and special glassware. Prepare garnishes like citrus and sugar rims early.

Choose glassware that works for many drinks. Use creative solutions if you don’t have enough glasses. Add straws and custom napkins for fun.

Conclusion

Planning your New Year’s Eve? Think about the drinks that will make it special. With these holiday cocktail recipes and festive beverages, you’re ready for a memorable night.

Offer a variety of drinks, like champagne cocktails and warm options. This way, everyone can join in the fun. Prepare drinks ahead and use smart serving tips to enjoy the party too.

These recipes can be changed to fit different tastes or party sizes. They’re perfect for New Year’s Eve. Sharing special drinks makes the night unforgettable and brings people together.

Here’s to a happy, safe, and tasty New Year’s celebration.