New Year’s Eve Cocktails to Ring in 2023

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Head into the new year with a glass of something special! Cold and fizzy, hot or caffeinated: these 23 New Year’s Eve Cocktails have something for everyone. Or choose one to be the “signature drink” for your New Year’s Eve swaray.

A bar cart with champagne cocktails, nuts and New Year's decorations.

A fun and festive beverage is essential to any New Year’s gathering, no matter what is on the agenda or who is on the guest list.

You might be pulling a California “East Coast Countdown” where you trick the kids into thinking it’s midnight when it’s only 9:00 pm, leaving plenty of time for the adults to relax after the hooplah. Or you might be hosting an appetizer-forward cocktail party with just your grown-up friends and some board games.

Whatever you’re up to, here are some fantastic cocktail ideas for your upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration.

Champagne Cocktails

You might have champagne on hand for midnight toasts anyway, so consider busting open a bottle earlier in the evening to mix with these fun and fizzy cocktails.

Aperol Spritz
The classic Aperol Spritz is a refreshing aperitif cocktail that combines bright orange Aperol liqueur and dry sparkling wine.
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Three Aperol Spritz cocktails.
Bellini
Sparkly and refreshing, a Bellini is a light and fruity Italian cocktail made with just 2 ingredients: Prosecco and peach nectar or purée.
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Three bellinis garnished with fresh peach slices.
Champagne Cocktail
For a festive holiday drink recipe or to add some sparkle to any happy hour, try this easy Champagne Cocktail recipe. It's a showy yet remarkably simple low-alcohol cocktail idea.
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A champagne cocktail in a champagne flute.
Kir Royal
Made with Champagne and crème de cassis (a blackcurrant liqueur), a Kir Royale (or Kir Royal) is a fruity French cocktail great for sipping before dinner.
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Two Kir Royale cocktails in champagne flutes on a metal tray.

Gin Cocktails

While Gimlets and Martinis remind me of black tuxedos and glittering diamonds, a Long Island Iced Tea says “anything goes.” No matter what you’re planning for New Year’s Eve, a gin cocktail might be the perfect choice.

Gimlet
While the original Gimlet was made with Rose's Lime Cordial, you can update this gin cocktail with fresh lime juice and a touch of simple syrup. It's crisp, refreshing, and only 3 ingredients.
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Gimlets in stemmed glasses with lime slices.
Long Island Iced Tea
Resembling iced tea in color only, Long Island Iced Tea is a strong mixed drink made with gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, vodka, and a splash of cola.
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Two long island iced teas with a bottle of Coke in the background.
Martini
A classic dry martini is made with gin, dry vermouth, and olives or a lemon twist for garnish. It's one of the most well-known cocktails and remains popular more than 100 years after its creation.
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Two dry martinis garnished with green olives.
Negroni
An Italian aperitif, the classic Negroni cocktail is made with equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin.
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A negroni cocktail in a rocks glass.

Tequila Cocktails

Always a fan favorite, these tequila cocktails are simple, delicious, and inspired by festivities south of the border.

Charro Negro
Based on the "black cowboy" of Mexican folklore, the Charro Negro cocktail is made with tequila, cola, and lime juice and is ubiquitous at Mexican celebrations such as baptisms, weddings, and birthday parties.
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A Charro Negro cocktail in a highball glass.
Paloma Cocktail
Mexico’s national aperitif, the Paloma cocktail, is a simple tequila drink with a thirst-quenching, irresistible appeal. Move over Margarita, here comes something better!
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A collins glass with a Paloma cocktail in it, garnished with a grapefruit wedge.
Cantarito
Served in a small clay pot with the same name, a Cantarito is a classic Mexican cocktail from the state of Jalisco made with tequila, citrus juices, and soda.
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A cantarito in a clay pot.

Vodka Cocktails

If you don’t want to notice the alcohol you are tasting, the smooth, neutral flavor of vodka might be just what you’re looking for. And, it goes well with sweet or savory drinks.

Bloody Marys
This homemade Bloody Mary mix is super easy to whip up in advance; when it's time for brunch, load up with every pickled thing you can find.
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Two bloody marys with garnishes.
Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan cocktail, better know as a Cosmo, is a fruity drink made with cranberry juice, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice.
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Two cosmopolitan cocktails on a galvanized metal serving tray.
Greyhound
A classic Greyhound cocktail is just vodka (or gin) and grapefruit juice, and it's just as fruity and refreshing as it sounds. Add a salted rim and you'll have a "Salty Dog."
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A greyhound cocktail.
Jello Shots
For tailgating, holidays or any day you want to feel more festive, learn how to make colorful DIY Jello Shots. How can you not be in good spirits after shooting one of these mini cocktails?
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Various colored jello shots in clear portion cups.
The Best Moscow Mule
Discover the secret ingredients to the Best Moscow Mule you’ve ever tasted! Developed by a bartender friend in Minnesota, this mule is miles ahead the rest of the pack and perfect for your next happy hour.
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The best Moscow mule in a copper mug with a lime.
White Russian
The classic White Russian cocktail is made with vodka, Kahlúa, and cream. It's simple, delicious, and tastes a little bit like iced coffee.
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A white Russian cocktail with a bottle of Kahlua in the background.

Whiskey Cocktails

A favorite in hot or cold cocktails, whiskey is a favorite at the holidays. Choose a special cocktail to feature it or just set the bottle next to a pot of coffee.

Hot Toddy
Whether you’ve got a cold, cough, or just a case of the winter blues, a Hot Toddy will wrap around you like a warm blanket and soothe your weary bones. Here’s the classic recipe for a delicious hot cocktail you can make all season long.
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Hot toddies in clear glass mugs on a silver serving tray.
Irish Coffee
Here are the secrets for the best Irish Coffee: Dissolve brown sugar in whiskey, add boiling-hot coffee, and float a layer of barely-whipped, frothy cream on top.
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A tray with Irish Coffee and a bottle of Jameson Irish whiskey.
Old Fashioned
One of the earliest cocktails on record, a classic Old Fashioned cocktail is made with whiskey, simple syrup, and muddled bitters.
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An Old Fashioned cocktail in a rocks glass.

Wine Cocktails

While sangria may feel a bit summery, it’s light and sweet flavors are a welcome addition on New Year’s Eve. Or, indulge in a hot pot of heady mulled wine (just set it out in a slow cooker with a ladle and some mugs so guests can help themselves).

White Sangria
Get the party started with this classic White Sangria. A pitcher of white wine sangria is the ultimate refreshing party drink recipe on a warm spring or summer day.
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Two glasses of white sangria.
Mulled Wine
A cup of homemade Mulled Wine makes cheeks rosy and warms from the inside out. This delicious blend of wine, fruit, and fragrant spices will become your new holiday tradition.
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Mulled wine in clear mugs.
Moscato Sangria
Moscato Sangria is an easy cocktail recipe that's sure to get the party started. A bottle of white wine, fruit, and ginger ale team up in this refreshing wine-based pitcher cocktail (that is quickly becoming my signature drink!).
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Moscato sangria in glasses on a serving tray.

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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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