New Year’s Eve is just around the corner! Champagne is a classic for a reason, but serving up a variety of drinks makes for happy tastebuds and a lively atmosphere. Read on to discover tried-and-tested cocktail recipes that are quick to make and guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face!
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner! Champagne is a classic for a reason, but serving up a variety of drinks makes for happy tastebuds and a lively atmosphere. Read on to discover tried-and-tested cocktail recipes that are quick to make and guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face!
Alongside the traditional midnight champagne, fruity cocktails and flavourful drinks are a must-have at any New Year’s party. They add a splash of colour to your glass and add a lively buzz to the night’s celebrations. Whether you’re hosting at your own bar or turning your living room into a party zone: be sure to have some reliable New Year’s drink recipes at the ready. Fresh, fizzy drinks should be the focus, while classic winter options like mulled wine, dark beers, and creamy liqueurs are best saved for quieter evenings. New Year’s Eve is all about celebration – and that calls for drinks that bring the party to life.
Preparing the perfect New Year’s Eve drinks
Make sure to get all the drink ingredients well in advance. Prepare fruit garnishes and chill glasses if needed. And don’t forget the ice! For big parties, it’s worth getting an ice maker, which can churn out large amounts in just minutes. If you don’t have one, ice cubes will take around three hours in the freezer. Otherwise, grab some crushed ice from your local supermarket’s freezer section.
What to consider when choosing drinks for your New Year’s party
New Year’s drinks should be simple and quick to make, so your guests never have an empty glass. Choose cocktails with bold, clear flavours, and make sure the presentation is spot on: serve drinks in the right glasses with eye-catching garnishes. Check out our suggestions for inspiration:
Vodka-based New Year’s drinks
- Simple Classic: The Screwdriver is an easy but popular choice. Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice cubes. Pour 40 ml of vodka over the ice, then top it up with 160 ml of orange juice. Garnish the glass with a slice of orange peel.
- Refreshing Getaway: Watch out – this one’s a bit of a wild ride! Drop some ice cubes into a tall glass. Add 50 ml of vodka and 200 ml of cactus juice. Finish it off with two thin slices of lemon. The lively flavour makes the Cactus Breeze a quick favourite.
- Bold Polish Flavours: For those who love intense tastes, mix 40 ml of blackcurrant vodka, 20 ml of lime juice, and 10 ml of sugar syrup with a handful of ice in a shaker. Shake well, then strain into a tumbler for the punchy Krew Ludwika – or “Ludwig’s Blood.” This drink is all about a burst of flavour.
- Fruit with a Twist: For the Twilight Midget, combine 50 ml of grapefruit vodka, 100 ml of pomegranate juice, and 20 ml of blackcurrant syrup with some ice. Shake it all up and pour into a large wine glass. Want to switch things up? Try cherry or raspberry syrup for a different spin.
Martini-based New Year’s drinks
- James Bond’s Favourite: Add 50 ml of dry vermouth and 100 ml of gin to a shaker with ice. Mix or shake until well chilled, then strain into a cold Martini glass. Garnish the Dry Martini with a skewer of olives and a twist of lemon zest.
- The Fizzy Wake-up Call: For the Martini Tonic Twist, fill a Martini glass with ice cubes. Pour in 40 ml of white vermouth, 60 ml of tonic, and 10 ml of lime juice. Give it a quick stir.
Whiskey-based New Year’s drinks
- Rich Flavours: Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour in 45 ml of whiskey (preferably Scotch) and 45 ml of Drambuie, a liqueur based on whiskey, heather honey, and Scottish herbs. Garnish the Rusty Nail with an orange slice.
- Luxury New Year Start: Pour 40 ml of whiskey and two teaspoons of vanilla sugar syrup into a champagne flute, then top up the Golden Toast with chilled champagne.
Other New Year’s drinks with alcohol
- Bubbly Welcome: For a refreshing welcome drink, blend pitted peaches with 100 ml of champagne. Mix well, then add another 50 ml of Champagne and a few drops of raspberry juice until you get a light pink hue. Serve the Bellini in tall glasses, garnished with peach slices. Make sure all ingredients are well chilled to get the best sparkle.
- The Ultimate Refresher: To make a Mojito, crush a few sprigs of mint, lime wedges, and a teaspoon of brown sugar in tall glasses. Add crushed ice and 40 ml of rum, then top up with sparkling water. Decorate the rim of the glass with a lime slice.
- Exotic Sweetness: Shake together 60 ml of tequila, 25 ml of lime juice, 15 ml of pineapple juice, 15 ml of elderflower liqueur, and 10 ml of vanilla syrup. Pour the Pina Coronado into tall glasses filled with ice cubes.
The perfect bar setup: must-haves for every party
Equip your bar, whether in a restaurant, hotel, or your living room, with a variety of glasses and handy accessories: glass trays are perfect for a stylish presentation. Stainless steel containers with different compartments are ideal for lemon and orange slices, mint sprigs, or brown sugar. Measuring jugs, shakers, and stirring spoons are also must-haves. For larger gatherings, investing in a professional cocktail mixer is a smart move. With this bar setup, you’ll make mixing drinks not only for New Year’s but all year round simpler and more efficient.
New Year’s drinks: make your party unforgettable
The key to an unforgettable New Year’s Eve is to make your guests feel special. Don’t just rely on champagne and well-known spirits. By serving easy but sophisticated drinks, you show your guests they matter. These personal touches are what stick in people’s memories and will make your New Year’s Eve party the highlight of the year ahead.
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