30 New Year’s Eve Cocktails to Clink When the Clock Strikes Midnight

Cheers! It's that time of year to bring out the bubbly and craft dazzling New Year's Eve cocktails for all your party guests.

The fireworks are about to begin, guests are devouring your New Year’s Eve appetizers and you have “Auld Lang Syne” cued up on your party playlist. The only thing missing is a signature mixed drink that will keep your guests raving until, well, next year.

While champagne cocktails are obviously classics, consider a beverage made with Prosecco, a holiday slow-cooker drink or a wildcard, like a festive martini. Here are our favorite New Year’s Eve cocktails…and we have nonalcoholic drink ideas too.

1 / 30

Holiday Mimosa

For the best results, use 100% cranberry juice, not cranberry juice cocktail. The drink already includes sweetness from the raspberry liqueur, so real cranberry juice will make it delightfully tart. Pull out your holiday flutes or prettiest stemmed cocktail glasses.
2 / 30

Pear & Ginger Sparkler

This festive twist on a bellini doesn’t require a cocktail shaker, but you do need a fine mesh strainer. If you don’t have a dedicated drink strainer, the one you use to strain pasta will work just fine.
3 / 30

Pineapple Cider Wassail

Apple cider, pineapple juice, apricot nectar and orange juice join forces with spices like cinnamon, cloves and cardamom for a warm, satisfying sipper that also makes your home smell incredible. To make it nonalcoholic, omit the rum.
4 / 30

Finnish Mulled Wine

While this recipe takes a bit of prep time—you’ll need to refrigerate it overnight before serving—the complex flavor will make your New Year’s Eve guests rave. The first 10 ingredients need to steep overnight so be sure to prep in advance.
5 / 30

Pomegranate Cosmo

‘Tis the season for brightly colored beverages, and this vibrant pomegranate cosmo is no exception. Create the fancy sugar rim by dipping the martini glasses upside down in a shallow dish of water, then upside down again in a dish of coarse red sugar.
6 / 30

Cranberry Sparkler

If you’ve never tried raspberry rum, you’re in for a treat. Here, it’s mixed with cranberry and lime juice, ginger ale and fresh raspberries and cranberries.
7 / 30

Chocolate-Caramel Rum Coffee

Keep your guests and yourself up until midnight with this boozy caffeinated treat. The secret to the sweet, decadent flavor is caramel sundae syrup and a good, quality coffee brand.
8 / 30

French 75

One of the most classic cocktails for a reason, this simple cocktail elevates basic bubbly with lemon juice, gin and confectioners’ sugar. It’s ideal for a midnight toast, or for sipping all night long.
9 / 30

espresso martini
bhofack2/getty images

Espresso Martini

The secret to getting a frothy top is to shake up the ingredients in a martini shaker for at least 10 to 15 seconds. You’ll know it’s done when you see condensation begin to form on the container. Or, you could blend the ingredients into a frozen espresso martini.

Go to Recipe

10 / 30

Cotton Candy Champagne Cocktails

If you like your drinks sweeter than candy, it’s time to upgrade your drink with…actual cotton candy. Use a toothpick or a skewer to create a cotton candy garnish, then enjoy each sugary sip as the puffy treat melts.
11 / 30

Sparkling Red Wine Sangria

Brandy, liqueur, red wine, oh my! This berry-filled sangria is a great way to use up any of the leftover bottles you have from Christmas, and the recipe can easily be doubled for a larger crowd.
12 / 30

Sparkling Apple Pie on the Rocks

Apple cider, caramel ice cream topping, cinnamon and Champagne make this sparkler shine. Don’t skimp on the gold sprinkles, which add an extra festive touch for New Year’s Eve.
13 / 30

Cranberry Pomegranate Margaritas

Margarita fans will adore this seasonal twist on their favorite drink. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and frozen cranberries for extra wow factor. You could even set up a margarita bar with these margarita recipes so everyone can pour their favorite.
14 / 30

Butterscotch Mulled Cider

This three-ingredient cocktail couldn’t be simpler. Just add apple cider, butterscotch schnapps and cinnamon sticks to the slow cooker to make the whole kitchen smell extra magical.
15 / 30

Apple Brandy

While any type of apple can be used to make apple brandy, we recommend McIntosh and Red Delicious, which have a good balance of sugar and acidity. Look for an unaged, high-quality brandy that allows the flavor of the apple to shine through.
16 / 30

Cranberry Orange Mimosas

Forgo the traditional champagne toast for something a bit more whimsical. Whir together frozen cranberries, orange juice and lemon juice in a blender, then top the juice with champagne and garnish with mint.
17 / 30

Cranberry-Jalapeno Martini

Start the new year off with a bang. The seeded jalapeno pepper in this vodka-cranberry martini is a welcome surprise for any fan of spice. Use up an extra jalapenos in these Texas Red River margaritas.
18 / 30

Spiced White Sangria

Shake things up with a not-so-traditional New Year’s Eve libation. While sangria recipes might not be top of mind when it comes to the January holiday, this spiced version will be a success. Plus, it’s made in large batches that serve 10, so it’s great for a big party.
19 / 30

Champagne Cocktail

Spruce up champagne with bitters, brandy and a hint of sugar, then garnish with rosemary and cranberries. Try one of these 20 great bubblies under $20 and save your more expensive bottles to sip without mixers.
20 / 30

Bubbly Champagne Punch

This frozen champagne punch will stay icy long after midnight, thanks to a frozen ring of pineapple juice, ginger ale, orange slices and raspberries. It’s easy to make a nonalcoholic version by swapping white wine and champagne for more ginger ale and a lemon-lime soda.
21 / 30

Spiced Apple Cider Jelly Shots

You probably haven’t had a jelly shot since college, but this classier version featuring apple cider, ginger-flavored vodka and bitters is a surprising addition to your New Year’s party. Dust them with cinnamon sugar for an extra flourish.
22 / 30

Vanilla Bean Fizz

Your party guests will feel extra fancy when they sip this vanilla-infused champagne, made with real vanilla bean. Best of all, it only takes 10 minutes to whip up eight servings.
23 / 30

Bourbon Slush

Tea and bourbon make a winning pair in this sweet-and-sour cocktail that’s frozen overnight. Try orange spice tea instead of traditional black tea for an added depth of flavor.
24 / 30

Mango Bellini

This two-ingredient cocktail is usually made with peach puree, but mango adds a welcome tropical flair. Use champagne, prosecco or even sparkling water as the effervescent base.
25 / 30

Swedish Rose Spritz

Dry rosé, seltzer and elderflower liqueur come together to create a refreshing spritz that guests will want second and third rounds of. Make it alcohol-free by swapping the rosé for a nonalcoholic wine.
26 / 30

Moscow Mule

This wintry sipper feels even more festive when it’s served in a copper mug. You can find the mugs at many home goods stores…but the drink is just as tasty when served in a rocks glass.
27 / 30

Rubies on Ice

If you can’t find ginger syrup at the grocery store, you can make your own by combining 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water and a 2-inch piece of peeled ginger, cut into slices, in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cool, then strain.
28 / 30

Mulled Merlot

This spiced red wine cocktail heats in the slow cooker, so guests can help themselves all night long. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and orange wedges for an extra festive touch.
29 / 30

Orange Razzletini

Cue the fireworks! This fruity martini made with raspberry-flavored rum and Triple Sec tastes just as vibrant as it looks. Curl strips of orange peel to garnish on the rim of the glasses.
30 / 30

Hot Buttered Cider Mix

If you’re hosting a family-friendly event, you can also make a version that omits the brandy. The buttered cider mix makes 64 servings (of 1-1/2 teaspoons each) so feel free to cut in half if your crowd isn’t that large.

Lindsay D. Mattison
Lindsay has been writing for digital publications for seven years and has 10 years of experience working as a professional chef. She became a full-time food writer at Taste of Home in 2023, although she’s been a regular contributor since 2017. Throughout her career, Lindsay has been a freelance writer and recipe developer for multiple publications, including Wide Open Media, Tasting Table, Mashed and SkinnyMs. Lindsay is an accomplished product tester and spent six years as a freelance product tester at Reviewed (part of the USA Today network). She has tested everything from cooking gadgets to knives, cookware sets, meat thermometers, pizza ovens and more than 60 grills (including charcoal, gas, kamado, smoker and pellet grills). Lindsay still cooks professionally for pop-up events, especially when she can highlight local, seasonal ingredients. As a writer, Lindsay loves sharing her skills and experience with home cooks. She aspires to motivate others to gain confidence in the kitchen. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking with fresh produce from the farmers market or planning a trip to discover the best new restaurants.