Level up from the champagne and ring in the new year right with these celebratory cocktails that will keep the vibes high through midnight.
As you set your sights on 2024, you’ll want to try one of these festive cocktails and ditch the champagne for your midnight toasts. Whether you’re hosting a celebration or hanging on the couch, pop some bubbly and mix up one of these New Year’s Eve themed drinks that capitalize on winter flavors and fresh starts. From holiday treats to sparkling sweets, these boozy beverages are the perfect addition to a night you won’t forget (unless you have one too many!).
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Champagne Punch
If you need to serve a lot of people without breaking your cocktail shaker this New Year’s Eve, this champagne punch is the way to go. Fans of bubbly will indulge in this sparkling beverage that elevates the typical champagne glass to the next level. In a large punch bowl, add one bottle of sparkling wine, champagne, or prosecco to four cups of cranberry juice. Opt for a flavored cranberry juice such as strawberry or apple to give your punch an extra kick, then add in ice and cut-up fruit to complete the communal cocktail.
Midnight Mojito
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In White Plains, Greca is a Mediterranean kitchen and bar that will be serving up cocktails all night long on December 31. If you can’t make it to the party, bring the bar home instead and make this Midnight Mojito from the restaurant’s drink menu that’s perfect for anyone craving something tropical to ring in the new year. Muddle blueberries and mint leaves in a glass before adding in two ounces of rum, one ounce of lime juice, and simple syrup to taste.
Mistletoe Margarita
If you’re a tequila lover, winterize this popular summer beverage to include all the flavors of the season. Margaritas are known for their citrus notes, and this Mistletoe Margarita is no exception as it features winter citrus, cranberry juice, orange liquor, and a healthy amount of tequila to top it all off. Get out your blender to make this frosty drink and combine a handful of ice with Cointreau, fresh lime juice, cranberries, honey, and some orange zest. Add some sugar or salt to the rim of your glass before serving up this margarita with a couple cranberries on top as a garnish.
Naughty but Nice Cocktail
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Millstream is the place to be on New Year’s Eve if you live in Ulster County. From a delicious dinner to creative cocktails, this tavern has everything you need to start 2024 on the right foot. For those who aren’t close enough to try the eatery’s drinks in person, you can recreate the Naughty but Nice cocktail with ingredients you probably have in your bar already. In a shaker, combine two ounces of tequila with lime juice, coconut cream, and chocolate bitters. Pour the zesty, frothy mixture over ice and top with Luxardo cherries before enjoying.
Spiced Apple Old Fashioned
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If you’re looking for something a little stronger than champagne this holiday, give this Spiced Apple Old Fashioned a go. A popular cocktail at Beacon’s The Roundhouse, this festive twist on the well-known drink puts a sweet spin on an otherwise quite bitter beverage. To an old fashioned glass, add bitters and cinnamon vanilla syrup before combining your favorite rye whiskey with some apple-flavored moonshine for a cold-weather kick. Serve it on the rocks or neat depending on your preference.
White Russian
Don’t skip out on making this iconic drink this holiday season. While it may not be bubbly or fruity, White Russians are always delicious if you’re a fan of coffee. This is the perfect three-ingredient cocktail to sip if you plan on spending your New Year’s Eve at home but still want to celebrate with a toast at midnight. In an old fashioned glass with ice, combine two ounces of vodka with one ounce of a coffee liquor like Kahlua and one ounce of cream.
Related: 5 Sparkling Hudson Valley Wines Made for Celebrating
