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

Not a boring gin & tonic in sight...

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glasses of champagne filled with 12 green grapes
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

As they say, where you are on New Year's Eve can often set the tone for where you find yourself in the next year. So why not find yourself with one of these amazing (and easy!) New Year's Eve cocktails instead? These recipes go way beyond just cracking open a bottle of Champagne. Whether you're a whiskey, tequila, or vodka fan, we've got a drink for you that'll only require just the tiniest bit of added effort. Our Kir Royale, Champagne Jell-O shots, and cranberry-aperol spritz are well worth staying up for! Plus, one of these drinks might even gift you good luck in the year ahead (lookin' at you, 12 grapes cocktail).

Speaking of staying up, we often need a bit of help rallying until the ball drops at midnight. We love adding coffee to our favorite cocktails, and let's just say it'll 100% put the "buzz" in buzzed. Our spiked hot chocolate does double-duty as an ideal nightcap and a winter hand-warmer, while our tiramisu white russian and espresso martini recipes are the perfect year-end indulgence that'll give you a jolt so you can make it to midnight.

Okay, we know that New Year's is often the best time to break out the bubbly. Serving Champagne is classic for a reason, but why stop there? We've got tons of recipes for Champagne cocktails that go beyond just drinking it straight up. Balling on a budget? Cava and Prosecco are also amazing sparkling wines you can feel free to swap in as you would with Champagne. All three sparklers make excellent mixed drink; we're especially fond of our Prosecco mint juleps!

Need some food to go with all that booze? Yes, you do. Make some of these New Year's Eve party foods, appetizers, and foods for good luck (certainly can't hurt!). And if you're on the other end of the party, check out our favorite New Year's Day brunch recipes to start the new year on the right foot! Of course, not every drink has to be boozy. Check out our amazing mocktails too.

1

12 Grapes Cocktail

glasses of champagne filled with 12 green grapes
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

2

Cranberry Paloma

a short glass with a sugar rim, filled with a tequila grapefruit and cranberry cocktail, garnished with a grapefruit twist and fresh cranberries
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

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3

Yule Mule

cranberry orange mule served in copper mugs and garnished with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

4

Sugarplum Spritz

a refreshing holiday cocktail with plum wine, prosecco, maraschino cherry syrup, lemon, and bitters, garnished with a sugared plum
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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5

Kir Royale

three glass flutes filled with champagne, cassis liqueur, and fresh raspberries
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

Get the Kir Royale recipe.

6

Lambrusco Smash

lambrusco smash
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

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.

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7

White Cranberry Cosmo

white cocktail garnished with sugared cranberries and rosemary
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

8

(Make Ahead) Holiday Punch Bowl Ice Cubes

red frozen ice cubes with orange slices and spices
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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9

Cranberry Mimosas

cranberry mimosas
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

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.

10

Fireside Negroni

negroni in a mug with an orange slice
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

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.

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11

Cherry-Lime Margarita

cherry lime margarita with a lime rim and cherry and lime garnish
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

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.

12

Figgy Spritz

figgy spritz cocktail with a fig and rosemary garnish
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

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.

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13

Cranberry Apple Sangria

cranapple sangria in a wine glass
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

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.

14

Tiramisu White Russians

white russian cocktail topped with whipped cream, cocoa powder, and a lady finger
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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15

Pomegranate Martini

pomegranate martini in a glass with a sanding sugar rim
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

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.

16

Cranberry Aperol Spritz

cranberry aperol spritz
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

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.

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17

Manhattan Cocktail

manhattan cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with dark cherries
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

Get the Manhattan Cocktail recipe.

18

Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini

frozen hot chocolate martini
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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19

Prosecco Mint Julep

prosecco mint juleps in highball glasses with fresh mint
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

20

French 75

french 75
Andrew bui

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.

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