40 New Year's Eve Cocktails That Are Worth Staying Up For

In many parts of the world, people eat 12 green grapes in the first sixty seconds of the New Year to bring good luck in the year ahead. Although, speaking from experience, when the clock strikes midnight, 12 grapes doesn't seem such a simple task. Enter a simpler, and tastier option: the 12 grapes cocktail.

Get the 12 Grapes Cocktail recipe.

The holidays usually usher in seasonal cocktails with cozy spices to stay warm in the winter, but we think bright, refreshing beverages should be enjoyed all year long. If you love sipping on margaritas and palomas but want a more festive recipe to enjoy during the holiday season, meet the cranberry paloma.

Get the Cranberry Paloma recipe.

Instead of lime juice like in a traditional Moscow mule, we opt for the classic winter combination of cranberry and orange. We also give the mule a holiday twist by using rosemary instead of mint. There’s also a sprig used as a garnish, so you get a whiff of the festive holiday fragrance with every sip.

Get the Yule Mule recipe.

Half the fun of hosting over the holidays is putting out a spread of cute treats with even more adorable names, right? That’s why we created this sugarplum spritz. It's a light, refreshing, and wintery take on everyone's fave summer beverage that belongs at any and every holiday party.

Get the Sugarplum Spritz recipe.

When it comes to sparkling wine-based cocktails, few beverages are as classy and sophisticated as a Kir Royale. The Kir Royale is a fixture at holiday celebrations, soirées hosted by the likes of Ina Garten and Martha Stewart, and even episodes of Emily in Paris.

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While a glass of Lambrusco is always good served on its own, it’s also a fantastic starting point for a cocktail. The smoky mezcal, bright orange citrus, and spice from the ginger beer here tie together beautifully, giving you a zingy, sweet-ish, refreshing, and original cocktail.

Get the Lambrusco Smash recipe.

With nostalgic foods and drinks on the rise, the Cosmo is in the perfect place to shine again. Keeping much of the same vein as the classic, this cocktail gets a boost from white cranberry juice and an aroma of fresh rosemary. The candied cranberries are totally optional, but are a fun way to really drive home the holiday spirit.

Get the White Cranberry Cosmo recipe.

Looking for a quick way to level up your holiday punch bowl or cocktails without the hassle? These stunning ice cubes are an incredibly easy solution—and they’ll make you look super-classy too! These ice cubes use pomegranate juice instead of water, adding both flavor and a vibrant red hue to what would otherwise be plain ice.

Get the (Make Ahead) Holiday Punch Bowl Ice Cubes recipe.

While the classic combo of four parts Champagne and one part fresh orange juice can certainly hold its own, this recipe adds a fun winter twist by swapping the orange juice with fresh cranberries, cranberry juice, rosemary, and a hint of lime.

Get the Cranberry Mimosas recipe.

Move over, hot toddy—there's a new hot drink in town, and the name is fireside negroni. We dressed up the tried and true negroni with Earl Grey tea and a touch of maple syrup. The tea adds notes of bergamot and citrus, and the maple syrup gives a touch of rich sweetness that welcomes another sip, and another sip, and another, until it’s time to put the kettle back on for another cocktail.

Get the Fireside Negroni recipe.

The margarita is a seasonal drink…right? We think so! Especially this cherry-lime margarita, which is right on theme for a tropical winter. We used both cherry concentrate and the syrup from a maraschino cherry jar to achieve the perfect balance of tart and sweet. If you’re looking for an elevated twist on a classic margarita, look no further.

Get the Cherry-Lime Margarita recipe.

In this cold-weather rendition of everyone's favorite summer spritz, we included a woodsy rosemary sprig and fig syrup to welcome fall’s rich earthy flavors and make the easiest large format cocktail that will impress everyone at your holiday table. Aperitivo hour just got a delicious upgrade.

Get the Figgy Spritz recipe.

Apple cider is THE go-to when it comes to taking summery sangria into colder weather, but it can be a little sweet. Pair it with cranberry juice to keep it tart, though, and you can drink this all fall and winter long.

Get the Cranberry Apple Sangria recipe.

Somewhere between cocktail and dessert, this Italian-influenced White Russian is hard to resist. Looking for a festive upgrade? A dash of orange bitters, a pinch of ground cinnamon, or some fresh nutmeg shavings add another dimension to this decadent drink.

Get the Tiramisu White Russians recipe.

More like a cosmopolitan than a classic martini, this recipe replaces the cosmo’s traditional cranberry juice with pomegranate. Garnish with a sugar rim and a fresh rosemary sprig for the perfect drink to serve at all your holiday gatherings.

Get the Pomegranate Martini recipe.

Cranberry adds a festive, blood-red twist to your favorite cocktail, the Aperol spritz. If you don't want it to be too sweet, you can swap the cranberry juice cocktail for 100% cranberry juice.

Get the Cranberry Aperol Spritz recipe.

There are few cocktails more storied (or simple!) than the Manhattan. Originally one of the most famous cocktails in the world after it was born, the whiskey cocktail has waxed and waned in popularity over the years, but is a forever staple in our book.

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Turn your favorite wintery treat of frozen hot chocolate into a martini. The frozen hot chocolate is simple and uses a pre-made hot chocolate mix, and everything gets blended together for a quick festive cocktail that would be a hit as an after dinner nightcap!

Get the Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini recipe.

This festive sparkling drink is perfect for a low-key holiday cocktail hour. A sort of lightened-up mint julep, the addition of a dry sparkling wine provides a pleasant brightness and effervescence that plays well with the rich, caramelized tones of bourbon whiskey.

Get the Prosecco Mint Julep recipe.

The French 75 is among the fanciest of cocktails. Sure, there’s the tried-and-true margarita and the timeless Old-Fashioned, but the French 75 has got what those two don’t: Champagne!

Get the French 75 recipe.