14 Common New Year Cocktails

Planning to elevate your New Year’s Eve party with the right drinks? These 14 common New Year cocktails offer a perfect balance of festive flavors, from classic champagne-based drinks to modern twists. Discover how to make these easy-to-serve cocktails and ensure your celebration is unforgettable.

Classic Champagne Cocktail

A Classic Champagne Cocktail is a delightful and timeless choice for New Year’s celebrations. The elegance of champagne pairs beautifully with simple ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 sugar cube
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 4 ounces champagne
• Lemon twist or cherry (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Place the sugar cube in a champagne flute.
2. Add 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters to the sugar cube.
3. Pour 4 ounces of chilled champagne into the flute, filling it carefully.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist or a cherry.

This cocktail offers a perfect balance of sweetness, fizz, and a hint of bitterness. The sugar cube absorbs the bitters, infusing the drink with subtle depth.

Using quality ingredients ensures the best flavor. Choose a champagne that you enjoy on its own. The presentation also adds to the appeal, making it suitable for special occasions.

The Classic Champagne Cocktail is easy to prepare. You don’t need any special equipment or extensive skills. It’s perfect for a quick and elegant offering at any celebration.

French 75

A French 75 is a classic cocktail perfect for celebrating New Year’s. It’s known for its refreshing blend of gin and Champagne.

Here’s how you can make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 oz gin
• 0.5 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 3 oz Champagne or sparkling wine
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute.
4. Top with Champagne.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

The balance between the citrusy lemon juice and the sweetness from the simple syrup creates a harmonious taste.

For a twist, try using St. Germain. Substitute it for simple syrup or combine both for a floral note. This modernized version pairs incredibly well with the effervescence of the Champagne.

The French 75 is not just elegant. It’s versatile. The cocktail’s light, bubbly nature suits festive occasions.

Pomegranate Martini

The Pomegranate Martini is a vibrant cocktail for your New Year celebrations. It combines sweet and tangy flavors in a refreshing mix.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce pomegranate juice
• 1/2 ounce Cointreau or orange liqueur
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• Optional: Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Instructions

• Chill a martini glass in the freezer for 15 minutes.
• Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
• Add vodka, pomegranate juice, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
• Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
• Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with pomegranate seeds if desired.

The Pomegranate Martini offers a festive blend of sweet and tart. Its vibrant color adds flair to your New Year gathering.

Kir Royale

Kir Royale is a classic French cocktail perfect for celebrations. It combines crème de cassis and Champagne. The result is a drink that’s both elegant and easy to make.

To prepare Kir Royale, gather these ingredients:

• 0.5 oz crème de cassis
• 5 oz Champagne or sparkling wine

Follow these steps for each cocktail:

1. Chill your glass: Fill a champagne flute with ice and water. Let it sit for a few minutes, then empty it.
2. Add crème de cassis: Pour 0.5 oz into the glass.
3. Top with Champagne: Slowly fill the glass with 5 oz of Champagne.
4. Optional garnish: Add a lemon twist or berries for a festive touch.

Kir Royale is sweet and bubbly. It’s perfect for New Year’s toasts. You can adjust its sweetness by varying the crème de cassis. Just start with the recommended amount and add more if needed.

Sparkling Margarita

The Sparkling Margarita is a festive cocktail that blends traditional margarita flavors with a bubbly twist. It’s perfect for New Year celebrations and adds zest to any toast.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
• 2 oz sparkling wine or champagne
• Salt for the rim (optional)
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Glass: Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass. Dip the rim in salt.
2. Mix Cocktail: In a shaker, combine silver tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau. Add ice.
3. Shake: Shake well for around 15 seconds. This chills and blends the ingredients.
4. Pour and Top: Strain into the prepared glass. Add sparkling wine or champagne.
5. Garnish: Add a lime wedge for a fresh finish.

This cocktail has a bright, tangy taste. The sparkle adds a celebratory touch. It captures the essence of a classic margarita with a bubbly surprise.

Raspberry Bellini

A Raspberry Bellini offers a delightful twist on a classic cocktail. It’s perfect for New Year’s celebrations. This refreshing drink combines the tartness of raspberries with the effervescence of champagne.

Ingredients

• 4 oz Prosecco, sparkling wine, or champagne
• 1 oz Raspberry syrup or puree
• Fresh or frozen raspberries for garnish
• Optional: Mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the raspberry syrup. You can use store-bought raspberry syrup or make your own by blending raspberries and straining the seeds.
2. Pour champagne into a flute. Start with 4 ounces. Adjust to taste.
3. Add raspberry syrup. Pour in about 1 ounce. Adjust sweetness to your preference.
4. Garnish with fresh raspberries. Optionally, add mint leaves for a touch of freshness.

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of this easy-to-make cocktail. Its balance of sweetness and tartness makes it a crowd favorite at any festive gathering.

Champagne Mojito

A Champagne Mojito adds a bubbly twist to the classic mojito. This refreshing cocktail is perfect for celebrating special occasions like New Year’s Eve.

Ingredients:

• 10 fresh mint leaves
• ½ lime, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup
• 1½ ounces white rum
• Ice cubes
• Champagne

Instructions:

• Muddle the mint leaves and lime wedges with simple syrup in a highball glass.
• Fill the glass two-thirds with ice cubes.
• Pour the rum over the ice and stir gently to mix.
• Top with champagne. Stir gently to combine flavors.

Midnight Mule (Vodka Moscow Mule With A Festive Twist)

Indulge in a Midnight Mule for your New Year celebration. This festive cocktail combines classic Moscow Mule ingredients with a holiday twist. The flavor is vibrant and refreshing, perfect for toasting at midnight.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 ounce cranberry juice
• 1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps
• 1/2 tablespoon simple syrup
• 4 ounces ginger beer
• Ice cubes

Garnish (Optional)

• Rosemary sprig
• Peppermint stick
• Fresh cranberries

Instructions

• Fill a copper mug or glass with ice.
• Pour vodka, cranberry juice, and peppermint schnapps over ice.
• Stir in simple syrup.
• Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
• Garnish with a rosemary sprig and peppermint stick if desired.

Sparkling Cranberry Punch

Looking for a refreshing holiday drink? Sparkling Cranberry Punch might be the answer.

Here’s a straightforward method to create this delightful beverage.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cranberry juice
• 3 cups pineapple juice
• 4 cups ginger ale
• Ice cubes
• Sliced lime, for garnishing
• Fresh cranberries, for decoration

Instructions:

• Mix cranberry, pineapple juice, and ginger ale in a large pitcher or bowl.
• Stir well to combine all flavors.
• Add ice cubes to keep it chilled.
• Garnish with sliced lime and fresh cranberries.
• Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

New Year’s Eve Punch

New Year’s Eve Punch is a crowd-pleaser at parties. This refreshing drink combines bold flavors and sparkling accents. Its vibrant taste delights guests and energizes celebrations. Here’s a simple recipe to liven up your party.

Ingredients:

• 7 cups apple cider
• 7 cups cranberry juice
• 7 cups blanco tequila
• 3.5 cups Cointreau
• Simple syrup (to taste)
• Lime juice (optional)
• Cinnamon sugar (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Mix Liquids
   In a large punch bowl, combine apple cider, cranberry juice, tequila, and Cointreau.
2. Sweeten Punch
   Add simple syrup according to your taste. Optionally include lime juice for extra zest.
3. Serve with Style
   Rim glasses with cinnamon sugar. Pour punch over ice and garnish with fruit slices.

This punch balances sweetness and tang with a hint of spice. It’s easy to prepare yet sophisticated in flavor. Adjust ingredients to suit your preference. Your guests will enjoy each sip as they count down to the new year.

Espresso Martini

An Espresso Martini is a delightful cocktail perfect for New Year’s celebrations. This blend of caffeine and vodka is sure to keep the party going.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
• 1 oz. espresso or cold brew concentrate
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• Coffee beans for garnish

Instructions:

• Add vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
• Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. The shaking helps create the desired foam.
• Strain into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with a few coffee beans for an elegant touch.

Consider these tips for the perfect Espresso Martini: Use freshly brewed espresso for a rich taste. Cold brew concentrate serves as an alternative. A vigorous shake helps achieve a satisfying foam layer on top. You can adjust sweetness by altering the simple syrup amount.

Black Velvet (Champagne And Stout)

The Black Velvet cocktail is a uniquely stunning drink. Its origins date back to 1861 in London, mourning Prince Albert’s death. This cocktail combines stout beer and champagne for an elegant New Year celebration.

To make a Black Velvet:

• Stout: Use a stout beer, typically Guinness.
• Champagne: Choose a dry sparkling wine.

1. Chill both drinks beforehand for the best taste.
2. Pour half a glass of champagne into a wine flute.
3. Gently add stout: Pour over a spoon for a layered effect.

Your drink should appear in two distinct layers, showcasing both ingredients.

Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is a festive cocktail perfect for New Year celebrations. Its bright orange hue is both striking and inviting.

Ingredients

• 3 ounces of Prosecco
• 2 ounces of Aperol
• 1 ounce of soda water
• Orange slice (for garnish)
• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Fill a wine glass halfway with ice.
2. Pour 2 ounces of Aperol over the ice.
3. Add 3 ounces of Prosecco. Let it mix naturally.
4. Top off with 1 ounce of soda water.
5. Gently stir with a long spoon.

Garnish with a slice of orange for a zesty touch. The drink should be refreshing and slightly bitter. Mixing Prosecco and soda water enhances the bubbly feel.

St-Germain Cocktail (Champagne And Elderflower Liqueur)

Create an elegant St-Germain cocktail with champagne and elderflower liqueur. This drink combines the floral taste of St-Germain with the effervescence of champagne. It’s an ideal choice for a celebratory New Year’s toast.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
• 3 1/2 ounces dry champagne or sparkling wine
• Lemon twist, fresh strawberries, or peach slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Gather your ingredients. Make sure everything is chilled.
2. Pour 1/2 ounce of St-Germain into each champagne flute.
3. Top with 3 1/2 ounces of champagne. Adjust to taste if desired.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist, strawberries, or peach slices.

This St-Germain cocktail is a sophisticated addition to any celebration. The floral notes of elderflower complement the crisp bubbles, creating a refreshing and aromatic drink.