10 Easy New Year's Party Cocktails

These easy New Year's party cocktails will keep the celebrations going all the way until midnight. Plus, alcohol-free swap suggestions for non-drinkers.

New Year's party champagne cocktails in fancy glasses with black ribbons around the stem. — Source: xenia kainex (Dupe)

There's arguably no better time to throw a party than New Year's Eve. After all, what better way to say goodbye to the year that's been and welcome a new start than with your nearest and dearest?

But with any good party comes a bit of planning. Decor, food and - perhaps most importantly - drinks. While you might not want to dedicate your evening to playing bartender and making complicated cocktails, these simple drink ideas are sure to impress with very little effort required.

10 Easy cocktail recipes for your New Year's Eve party

1. The Perfect Limoncello Spritz

Refreshing lemon and sparkling water drink served in a clear glass with lemon slices, perfect for summer hydration and healthy beverage options. — Source: Simply Fresh Foodie

When it comes to the Aussie holiday season, nothing beats the heat like an ice-cold drink. This simple, festive limoncello spritz recipe works with just a few ingredients: prosecco, limoncello and club soda, all of which are easy to find at a local bottle shop. This drink is a little bit sweet, a little bit sour and super refreshing!

Best of all, this bubbly cocktail can be batch-made, allowing you to host like a pro without missing out on the fun.

Non-alcoholic option: Replace the prosecco and limoncello in this recipe with non-alcoholic alternatives for a sweet and tart mocktail without the alcohol content.

2. Champagne Cocktail

A champagne cocktail in a copue glass, garnished with a cherry and citrus peel. — Source: IBA World

Start the new year in style with this 19th-century classic. With just a few simple ingredients, you can transform champagne into a next level drink. Build this cocktail by pouring chilled champagne over a bitters-soaked sugar cube, which will slowly dissolve to create a mesmerising stream of bubbles. It's sophisticated, luxe and perfect for your New Year's Eve countdown.

Garnish with a maraschino cherry or orange zest and get ready to ring in the new year!

Non-alcoholic option: Use alcohol-free sparkling wine and replace cognac with a splash of non-alcoholic brandy (or leave it out altogether). Traditional bitters only add a tiny amount of alcohol, but can also be swapped out for non-alcoholic bitters.

3. Americano Cocktail

An Americano cocktail in a glass with ice and an orange slice. — Source: Cookie + Kate

If you're looking for a pre-dinner drink on New Year's Eve that's not too heavy, the Americano is your go-to. This Italian classic mixes equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, topped off with club soda. Americanos are bittersweet and lighter than Negronis, making them ideal for an evening celebration that needs to run all the way until midnight.

You can easily adjust the strength and flavour of this simple cocktail by adding more or less club soda to finish.

Non-alcoholic option: Use a non-alcoholic bitter aperitif like Lyre's Italian Orange in place of Campari, and swap vermouth with a non-alcoholic vermouth.

4. Gin and Tonic

A gin and tonic in a tall glass with ice and lime slices. — Source: The Spruce Eats | Julia Hartbeck

You can't go wrong with G&Ts for your New Year's party. This two-ingredient mixed drink combines gin with tonic water over plenty of ice, garnished with anything from a wedge of lime to a slice of cucumber, grapefruit, lemon and more. It's crisp and satisfying, with practically endless combinations of gins and tonics to try.

Non-alcoholic option: Replace the gin with a non-alcoholic alternative, like Seedlip.

5. Garibaldi

A Garibaldi cocktail in a large glass, garnished with an orange wedge. — Source: Moody Mixologist

This two-ingredient Italian drink brings together the sharpness of Campari with the sweetness of orange juice for a deliciously light mixed drink. The secret to elevating this cocktail is to blend or froth the orange juice until it's fluffy in texture.

The result is a gorgeous coral-coloured cocktail that's zesty, bittersweet and seriously tasty.

Non-alcoholic option: Swap Campari for a non-alcoholic bitter orange aperitif like Lyre's Italian Orange.

6. Mimosa

Mimosas on a silver tray with LaMarca prosecco and oranges in the background. — Source: Simply Recipes | Elana Lepkowski

The mimosa is perfect for New Year's, whether you're hosting a countdown party or celebrating with a New Year's Day brunch. All it takes is two simple ingredients - sparkling wine (like prosecco or champagne) and orange juice. Make sure to get a high-quality orange juice for the best results, or squeeze your own orange juice for ultimate freshness.

This recipe calls for around 2 parts prosecco to one part orange juice, but you can adjust the amount of orange juice for your preferred sweetness and strength.

Non-alcoholic option: Replace the champagne with 0-alcohol sparkling wine for a refreshing, alcohol-free alternative.

7. Peach Raspberry Bellini

Two mimosas sitting on a table with a patterned table cloth, with golden bee cocktail twirlers. — Source: Inspired by Charm

This fruity twist on the classic Bellini is as pretty as it is tasty. In a champagne flute or narrow glass, combine pureed peaches and raspberries with a touch of lemon juice and simple syrup, then top with chilled prosecco. The result is a drink that's sweet, tart and simply gorgeous.

These are brilliant for batch-making when you've got plenty of New Year's Eve guests to look after.

Non-alcoholic option: Swap out the prosecco with a 0-alcohol alternative.

8. Yuzu Fizz mocktail

Fresh cucumber and mint infused water in clear glasses on a wooden surface, promoting healthy hydration. — Source: Simply Fresh Foodie

This fresh mocktail is all about showcasing yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit that tastes like a cross between lemon, mandarin and grapefruit. Mix yuzu soda with elderflower cordial, fresh lime and sparkling water for a unique drink that's complex and sophisticated without any alcohol.

This simple mixed drink is great for designated drivers or anyone taking it easy on New Year's Eve while still enjoying something special.

Non-alcholic option: This is already alcohol-free!
Alcoholic option: To make it alcoholic, add a shot of gin or vodka to the mix before topping with sparkling water.

9. Kir Royale

Fresh raspberry wine cocktail in a decorative glass with floating raspberries and foam, perfect for summer drinks. — Source: Simply Fresh Foodie

The Kir Royale is a deliciously simple champagne cocktail. Pour a glass of your favourite dry champagne and add a splash of crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur). The cassis adds a sweet, dark berry flavour and brings a rich purple colour to the effervescent champagne. It's bound to make your New Year's celebration feel extra special!

Non-alcoholic option: Swap champagne for 0-alcohol sparkling wine and use blackcurrant or raspberry syrup instead of crème de cassis. Use a little less syrup in this case, as it's usually sweeter than liqueur.

10. Elderflower cocktail

An elderflower cocktail in a highball glass with ice and a lemon peel garnish. — Source: The Spruce Eats | Julia Hartbeck

Elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) brings beautiful floral notes to drinks, and this classic cocktail is no exception. This recipe keeps it super simple, with elderflower liqueur, champagne or prosecco and club soda, built in a highball glass over ice. The result is light and citrusy with a subtle sweetness from the elderflower. Perfect for a classy New Year's toast.