31 Elegant New Year’s Eve Cocktails​ to End Off 2024

As the year comes to a close, it’s never too soon to plan your year-end parties and with that, some special New Year’s Eve cocktails. A glass of bubbles, whether champagne, cava or sparkling grape juice, is a tradition, but sometimes it’s fun to make your own traditions. If you love to cook, host and entertain, you’re likely already looking for ways to level up the menu, decorations and of course, refreshments.

Even if your NYE plans consist of cozy sweatpants and watching the ball drop from the comfort of your couch, you can at least shake up some tasty New Year’s Eve cocktails to make the night sweeter. Whether you’re a fan of gin cocktails or whiskey cocktails, or something zero-proof, there are some refreshing combinations to make your mouth water. 

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• New Year’s Tequila Cocktails
• New Year’s Gin Cocktails
• New Year’s Whiskey Cocktails
• Non-Alcoholic New Year’s Drinks

New Year’s Tequila Cocktails

1. Jam Margarita

There’s no easier way to make delicious New Year’s Eve cocktails extra festive than this recipe. Your favorite margarita, typically made with tequila, triple sec, simple syrup and fresh lime juice, turns a shade of red or purple (depending on the jam you use). Add a dollop of your favorite jam to the shaker and serve it over ice. 

2. Tequila Michelada

Even if you’re celebrating from your couch or a snowy winter scene, you can at least pretend you’re somewhere on a beach with these New Year’s Eve cocktails. Calling all spicy cocktail lovers! You’ll need a few extra tools here to grate your ripe tomato before combining with hot sauce, golden tequila and lager of your choice. Don’t forget some lime juice and a salted rim.  

3. Rompope with Tequila

Rompope is the Latin version of eggnog and it just might become your favorite New Year’s tequila cocktail. Typically made with a sugarcane alcohol for a rum cocktail, tequila is an equally delicious substitute. Check out some recipes online if you want to make it from scratch. 

4. Colletti Royale

If champagne and a margarita had a baby, this would be it. Wonderfully tart and refreshing New Year’s Eve cocktails, you’ll want to have some sparkline rosé on hand as well. Combine reposado, Cointreau, St. Germain and blood orange juice with a squeeze of lime, some rosé champagne and a dash of orange bitters. 

5. Espresso Martini

Regular espresso martinis also have a place on your New Year’s Eve cocktails list, but adding tequila is a fun party twist. Coffee liqueur or Kahlua and a dash of cream gets shaken up with a shot or two of tequila blanco and some strong espresso for the perfect drink that will have you buzzing all night long. Don’t forget to garnish with three coffee beans for good luck. 

6. Oaxacan Punch

Combine Averno amaro with mezcal grapefruit juice, lemon juice, agave nectar with a bit of chilled water and ginger beer for a bold and flavorful New Year’s tequila cocktail. Garnish with wedges of lemons and grapefruits and serve it in a massive punch bowl to please a crowd. 

7. Espress Ya’Self

These fancy New Year’s Eve cocktails were invented by NYC-based bartender Anthony A. Baker and calls for a 50/50 split of tequila and mezcal in the classic espresso martini formula. He also uses cold brew coffee in place of espresso, though that’s less important. Get fancy with your garnishes using ultra-fine colored sugar sprinkles. 

8. Oaxacan Tail

Another one of the Oaxacan New Year’s Eve cocktails, this one uses Foro amaro, shaken up with mezcal and tequila blanco, plus a little cold brew coffee and a few dashes of chocolate mole bitters.  

New Year’s Gin Cocktails

9. French 75

These New Year’s Eve cocktails are the perfect sipper all night long. Use the rest of that opened bottle of champagne to mix with gin, simple syrup and lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy. 

10. Dry Martini

There’s nothing wrong with the classics, especially if you’re throwing a big party. This New Year’s gin cocktail is delightful any time of year, but it’s the perfect easy mixer when you’ve got guests over. Gin and vermouth are a match made in heaven, garnished with a lemon twist, an olive or a cocktail onion. 

11. Pomegranate Martini

The bold red color of this drink makes it perfect for a holiday party. Sort of like a cosmopolitan but with pomegranate juice instead of cranberry, shake it with gin, lemon juice and a little simple syrup. Serve it in a fancy martini glass with a sugared rim. 

12. Wintery Gin Sidecar

Enjoy a festive spin on this classic drink where you’ll sub gin for cognac. These New Year’s Eve cocktails use clementine juice for some seasonal citrus, along with martini bianco and a little cinnamon. Shake and serve it up with a cinnamon sugar rim. 

13. Cold Brew Negroni

A slight buzz from the coffee grounds makes these New Year’s Eve cocktails a winner. With a little prep time, you’ll be sipping on a wonderfully complex negroni with a hint of caffeine. Infuse your Campari with coffee grounds ahead of time, then mix and measure like usual. 

14. Holiday Gin Bramble

With flavors of forest fruits and a deep red color, these are beautifully refreshing New Year’s cocktails. Homemade blackberry syrup pairs with a hint of freshly squeezed lemon, cranberry juice, Chambord and your favorite gin. Sugared cranberries on a skewer make an elegant garnish. 

15. Maple Gimlet

Maple might be traditionally thought of as a Fall ingredient first and foremost, but there’s something cozy about that woodsy sweetness that makes it work all winter long. These New Year’s cocktails use half an ounce of maple syrup along with fresh lime juice and gin to form a sweet and tart sipper that’s easy to bring together. 

16. Spiced Gin Sour

Draw inspiration from the Swedes with some festive cardamom syrup that has uses far beyond these New Year’s Eve cocktails. Shake up cardamom simple syrup with egg whites, gin and lemon juice and enjoy. Garnish with some freshly grated or ground cardamom. 

17. The South Side

These New Year’s Eve cocktails are easy to make but look timeless and elegant, even a bit festive. Mint leaves, along with lemon and lime juice, gin and simple syrup, are perfectly refreshing. Garnish with mint leaves and maybe a cranberry or two for some Christmas-holly appeal. 

18. MulIled Wine Negroni

If you’ve already got a vat of mulled wine simmering on the stove, you can give it a fresh purpose by mixing it into these New Year’s Eve cocktails. Take the time to infuse your vermouth with mulling spices ahead of time to transform it into many festive drinks. Combine that with gin and Campari, and garnish with a cinnamon stick and an orange peel. With slightly less effort, you can also simply stir together mulled wine with a little extra gin and enjoy. 

New Year’s Whiskey Cocktails

19. Manhattan

There’s something very elegant about traditional Manhattans that make them the perfect New Year’s cocktails. It will warm you from the inside out if you’re celebrating someplace chilly, but it’s perfect after dinner even by palm trees. Rye whiskey, vermouth and bitters combine with a sugar-soaked cherry for garnish. 

20. Campfire Mule

Almost like dessert in a glass, the campfire mule is the perfect combination of sweet and smoky, making it an ideal New Year’s whiskey cocktail. Smoked bourbon with a dash of maple syrup, a squeeze of lemon juice and ginger beer makes for comfort in a glass. Garnish with a toasted marshmallow if you’re feeling extra. 

21. Boothby

The humble Manhattan gets a festive twist with the addition of champagne, making them great New Year’s cocktails with items you probably have on hand. Mix up your favorite rye whiskey into a Manhattan then top it with bubbles for some extra fun. 

22. Christmas Punch

Christmas may be over, but it’s still winter and that means this festive punch is in season with amazing Christmas cocktails. Combine clementine juice, Benedictine liqueur and Cognac or Scotch with cranberry juice the seeds of one vanilla pod. Serve it in a big punch bowl with sour cherries for warming yet fruity and refreshing New Year’s Eve cocktails. 

23. Whiskey Eggnog

Another classically Christmas cocktail, you can serve fancy eggnog as New Year’s Eve cocktails, too. Store-bought or homemade eggnog with plenty of warming spices is the perfect complement to a splash or two of whiskey. Serve it in whatever glass feels most appropriate. 

24. 25th Hour

Be wary of the strength of these deliciously warming New Year’s Eve cocktails! Made with Scotch whiskey, LBV port wine, Nonino amaro and Luxardo maraschino liqueur, it’s elegant and cozy at the same time. Add a dash of bitters and serve it in a coupe glass with a twist of lemon. Sip slowly to savor it. 

25. Prosecco Mint Julep

While mint juleps are usually reserved for the first Saturday in May, adding a topper of prosecco makes them great New Year’s Eve cocktails to enjoy as well. The lightness and sweetness are a welcome switch-up from the many heavier, darker drinks that become popular this time of year. Pebble ice is called for, but regular will do just fine. Fresh mint leaves are a must for this iconic bourbon cocktail. 

26. Ginger-Cranberry Whiskey Sour

Add a festive holiday twist to an easy classic for these New Year’s Eve cocktails. You do need to do a little bit of preparation in advance to make your homemade ginger syrup, but this small labor of love will complement lots of delicious drinks. Shake cranberry juice, ginger syrup, whiskey and lemon and serve it in a rocks glass or a coupe with a toothpick through some candied ginger. 

Non-Alcoholic New Year’s Drinks

27.  Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine

Just because you’re steering clear of alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the best seasonal drinks. This non-alcoholic mulled wine combines all your favorite warming spices like cinnamon, star anise and cloves. Simmer with orange slices and a few blackberries using either red grape juice or your favorite alcohol-free wine for extra flavor. 

28. N/A French 75

This beautiful non-alcoholic New Year’s Eve mocktail looks just like the real thing. Substitute real champagne for sparkling apple juice and sub gin for tonic water. It looks beautiful served in a flute with a twist of lemon. 

29. Shirley Temple

The original non-alcoholic drink of choice for kids and adults is the Shirley Temple, and it’s the ideal non-alcoholic New Year’s Eve drink as well. Simple ingredients combine for the most refreshing sip in that classic shade of red. Get fancy and garnish with an orange or lemon twist. You can also sub Sprite for ginger ale for a more holiday-inspired flavor. 

30. Peppermint White Russian

This non-alcoholic New Year’s drink is like dessert in a glass, and can of course be made with alcohol, too. For the zero-proof version, combine strongly brewed coffee or espresso with half-and-half, tonic water and some peppermint syrup. Make it fancy with whipped cream and chocolate shavings or crushed candy canes on top. 

31. Lavender Lemon Mocktini

Just the name alone sounds fancy and refreshing, and this non-alcoholic New Year’s drink will be popular with all party-goers. Homemade lavender simple syrup pairs with lemon juice grenadine, sparkling water and a dash of bitters. Dip the tip of a toothpick in some purple food coloring and swirl it around the glass to give it a wonderful, rich hue. 

Whether you’re throwing a big bash or having a low-key night at home, having the best cocktails makes the night more special. While a bottle of champagne is classic and traditional, it’s time to have a little more fun with seasonal flavors and bold combinations. What you should serve depends on what New Year's Eve foods you’re serving and the vibe you want for your party. Jello shots aren’t exactly gourmet but they might be just what your crowd is looking for. If you’re looking for an elegant evening with swanky cocktail bar energy, these New Year’s Eve cocktails are just the thing.

For even more fun cocktail ideas, check out other mixology experiences on Classpop!