14 Unique Champagne Cocktails for New Years Eve

The clock strikes midnight and you instinctively reach for the bottle of champagne. _Man, _ you think, I wish I had a better drink. You can’t go wrong with the classic champagne toast, but why not make things more interesting? Here are fourteen unique champagne cocktails for your New Years party:

French 75: Gin and lemon turn this champagne cocktail into a refreshing blend of herbs and citrus. This fizzy drink is sweet, but boozy, and tangy, but sweet. Garnish with a lemon twist. See recipe *

Bellini: Introduce this Italian classic to your festivities. This does take a bit of prep time to puree the peaches, but the result is worth it. Light with a sweet kick. See recipe *

Caribou Martini: If you’re looking for a really unique cocktail, this is it. This drink combines coffee-flavored vodka with champagne. The roasted bitterness and the fruity notes actually work very nicely together. See recipe *

Poinsettia: This red drink is festive and easy to drink. Champagne, Cointreau, and cranberry juice make this a light cocktail, but not too sweet. See recipe *

Black Velvet: This one is for all the beer lovers out there. Champagne is layered over stout beer, usually Guinness, for a unique, delicious drink that couldn’t be easier to make. See recipe *

Royale Resolution: Do you have a sophisticated soiree planned? This cocktail with muddled berries, mint, vodka and Chambord is guaranteed to impress. Top it all with champagne for a deep purple concoction. See recipe *

San Remo: This is one of the strongest cocktails on our list. It’s like the older brother of the Mimosa. Champagne, triple sec, mandarin liqueur, and grapefruit juice come together for a slightly fruity, and definitely boozy drink. See recipe

Champagne Cocktail: The original, and still impossible to beat — champagne over a bitters-soaked sugar cube with a lemon twist. There’s a reason it made the International Bartender’s Association’s official cocktails list. See recipe

Cham Cham: Champagne, Chambord, and fresh raspberries. So pretty, so festive, and so easy to make that it converts even the guests who claim they don’t do sweet drinks. See recipe

Death in the Afternoon: Hemingway’s contribution: champagne and absinthe. A dangerous combination, but if you’re going to attempt it, New Year’s Eve is the night. Alternate with water unless you want to feel like death the following afternoon. See recipe

Forbidden Apple: An updated twist on the classic Champagne Cocktail — apple brandy makes it warm and toasty while Grand Marnier keeps things light. See recipe

Mariel: Rosé champagne, Campari, gin, and vermouth. Most champagne drinks run sweet; this one is for the bitter-drink crowd, like a Negroni that dressed up for the party. See recipe

Pomegranate Spritzer: Pomegranate liqueur does all the work of deseeding winter’s favorite fruit for you. Two ingredients, made in seconds, endlessly refillable. See recipe

Spiced Pear Bellini: Champagne with pear brandy, pear nectar, and a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon. Pears are at their peak in winter — puree a ripe Anjou instead of the nectar if you have one. See recipe

New Year’s Eve is the perfect excuse to go beyond a simple glass of bubbly and try champagne cocktails that actually impress your guests. Whether you prefer something fruity like a Bellini or bold like a Black Velvet, there’s a sparkling cocktail for every taste. Find more champagne cocktail recipes for your celebration at Cocktail Builder. And that half-finished bottle on January 1st? We’ve covered whether champagne goes bad — read before you re-cork.

Last modified on August 6, 2026