18 New Year's Eve Cocktails That Are Perfect for Celebrating

Ring in the new year with one of these drinks in hand.

Fizzy Finales prosecco and sorbet
Photo: Kirsten Francis

Sure, a glass of Champagne makes a festive toast, but we think these New Year's Eve cocktails are the ultimate libations for the last night of the year. Our collection of celebratory sips includes subtle spins on classics like the martini and the cosmo, as well as drinks that are lighter on the booze—to help you and your guests make it to midnight.

There are cocktails you can batch ahead, because who wants to be shaking drinks one-by-one for a crowd on the biggest party night of the year? We've also snuck in some sweeter options for everyone who likes a dessert cocktail—including a not-to-be-missed recipe that pairs sparkling wine with sorbet.

01 of 18

Negroni Sbagliato

Negroni Sbagliato
Mikkel Vang

This drink-of-the-moment has it all. Made with just four ingredients, it's a pitcher drink to serve your crowd. There are bubbles, because prosecco stands in for the gin that anchors the classic Negroni. This also means it won't go right to your head and you can have more than one.

02 of 18

Pink Gin Martinis

Kirsch Martini Tray and Mixer
Justin Walker

This pretty-in-pink, elegant cocktail is perfect for New Year's Eve. Shake it up with gin, kirsch, black vermouth, and aromatic bitters, then garnish with a lemon twist and maraschino cherries.

03 of 18

Pink Grapefruit-White Cranberry Sparkling Punch

Pink Grapefruit-White Cranberry Sparkling Punch recipe
Con Poulos

Filled with seasonal ingredients and prepared for a large crowd, we can't think of a better big-batch cocktail for New Year's Eve than this one. It's sparkling, sweet, and totally spectacular.

04 of 18

Cinnamon Sour Cocktail

rosemary gimlet and bitter bee cocktail
Justin Walker

Bourbon and red wine are a delightful duo and the base of this festive drink. A simple syrup made with whole cinnamon sticks creates a party-worthy sip.

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Cranberry Mule

christmas mule cocktail
Emily Kate Roemer

Elevate a classic gingery Moscow Mule with the addition of a homemade cranberry-lime simple syrup.

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Pomegranate-Champagne Punch

med102552_1206_pomegranate_punch.jpg

Use prosecco, cava, Champagne, or your favorite sparkling white wine in this elegant low-alcohol punch. The wine is mixed with pear nectar, pomegranate juice, and orange liqueur.

07 of 18

Pernod-Bourbon Spritz

italian corpse reviver cocktail
Lennart Weibull

This drink (pictured on the right) is a lively blend of anise-flavored Pernod and caramel-like bourbon. Serve to guests as an aperitif, before the big meal starts, to get that appetite nicely stimulated.

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Rosemary Gimlet

rosemary gimlet and bitter bee cocktail
Justin Walker

Try something new as you head into a new year. We upgraded this classic gin-based cocktail for the holiday season with a sweet rosemary simple syrup and lemon juice instead of the usual lime.

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Sorbet Spritzers

Fizzy Finales prosecco and sorbet
KIRSTEN FRANCIS

Looking for a drink that's easy to make yet special enough for New Year's Eve? This stellar drink-meets-dessert idea is a two-ingredient wonder. Pouring sparkling wine over a scoop of raspberry, blood orange, or lemon sorbet creates a low-alcohol yet festive libation.

10 of 18

Bourbon-Cranberry Shrub

cranberry-shrub-cocktail-0388-d111547.jpg
Marcus Nilsson

Shrub refers to a combination of vinegar, sugar, and fruit. Here, it's made with white wine vinegar and fresh or frozen cranberries. The shrub liquid is tempered with bourbon and seltzer, served over ice.

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Mirto and Tonic

mirto and tonic cocktail
Lennart Weibull

Here's another way to see the new year in with a dramatic red drink. Mirto is a two-ingredient sweet and herbal liqueur that's accented by tonic water.

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Kir Royales

mla102736_0108_kir.jpg
DANA GALLAGHER

A dash of black-currant liqueur gives this classic Champagne cocktail its deep red hue.

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Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

pomegranate cosmo cocktail drink
Bryan Gardner

Pomegranate juice replaces the usual cranberry in this take on the cosmopolitan cocktail.

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Mulled Blood-Orange Punch

sparkling-wine-a130522-07-8885-md110267.jpg
John Kernick

A wintry take on sangria, this batch recipe mulls blood orange juice with a variety of spices overnight. It's served mixed with sparkling wine, vodka, or seltzer (for a non-alcoholic version).

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Bitter Bee Cocktail

rosemary gimlet and bitter bee cocktail
Justin Walker

Take a sip of this honey and cardamom-infused cocktail and you'll be seeing fireworks.

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Champagne Fizz

champagne-fizz_102801770.jpg
Meredith Jenks

Another festive cocktail, candied ginger adds a lively yet sweet touch to a glass of Champagne in this 3-ingredient cocktail.

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Mint, Lime, and Ginger Sparkler

Mint, Lime, and Ginger Sparkler
Ren Fuller

Fresh ginger lends subtle spiciness to this elegant mojito-like mocktail made with fresh mint and lime juice. You could also add alcohol if desired.

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Amaro Spritz

Amaro Spritz with olives
Nico Schinco

For NYE revelers looking for a lighter libation on what can be a long night of drinking, we suggest this spritz. Tonic water, rather than prosecco, provides the bubbles, while an amaro, such as Campari or Aperol, provides glorious color.

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