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Inspiration & Tips/Scandinavian lifestyle & Recipes/7 festive cocktail recipes to help bring in the New Year!
4 festive cocktail recipes for new year - elderflower drinks in Iittala Essence Cocktail glass.

7 festive cocktail recipes to help bring in the New Year!

Toast the new year with these festive cocktail recipes! We have five delicious and simple New Year's drinks that are just as good with or without alcohol. Wintery seasonal flavours such as elderflower, cinnamon and rosemary take centre stage – we hope you enjoy!
Updated 10th December 2025
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Looking for festive and simple cocktail recipes to serve as welcome drinks on New Year’s Eve?

A great drink sets the tone for the entire celebration but you don’t need a long ingredient list to impress your guests. Whether you prefer something bubbly and fruity, or crisp and refreshing, there are plenty of festive and simple cocktail recipes that are easy to mix and full of flavour.

  1. Luxurious elderflower drink
  2. Raspberry & champagne
  3. Fresh gin & tonic with cucumber
  4. Red gin & tonic with cranberries
  5. Bubbly berry drink
  6. Bubbly with cotton candy
  7. Champagne with sorbet

Would you prefer something non-alcoholic? Discover our favourite mocktail recipes here: Easy mocktail recipes

1. Luxury Elderflower Cocktail

Looking for simple cocktail recipes with a touch of elegance? This luxurious and refreshing elderflower cocktail is the perfect welcome drink for New Year’s Eve or even as a light, fragrant accompaniment to dessert.

Ingredients for 1 cocktail:

  • 40 ml vodka
  • 60 ml elderflower cordial
  • Juice from 1/5 lemon
  • 1 egg white
  • Star anise, for garnish
  • Ice

How to:

Add the vodka, elderflower cordial, lemon juice, egg white, and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously until the mixture forms a smooth, silky foam. Strain into an elegant cocktail glass and garnish with a whole star anise for a festive finish.

4 festive cocktail recipes for new year - Dorre shaker, Rosendahl measuring glass and Ripple carafe from Ferm Living on tray from Cooee Design.

    2. Raspberries & Champagne

    If you’re searching for simple cocktail recipes that still feel elevated, this raspberry and champagne drink is a perfect match. Champagne makes an ideal New Year’s cocktail base, it is bubbly, elegant, and instantly celebratory. This sweet, sparkling mix is guaranteed to impress your guests as a festive welcome drink.

    Ingredients for 1 cocktail:

    • 150 ml champagne or sparkling wine
    • 10 ml raspberry liqueur
    • 10 ml pomegranate syrup (grenadine)

    How to:

    Pour the champagne or sparkling wine into a cocktail glass. Add the raspberry liqueur and pomegranate syrup, then stir gently to combine. Garnish with fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint for a bright and festive finish.

    3. A fresh Gin & Tonic with rosemary & cucumber

    The classic Gin & Tonic gets a festive twist in this fresh and simple cocktail recipe. Perfect for all celebrations, this light and aromatic drink with rosemary, cucumber, and pressed lime is ideal as a welcome drink or alongside your starters.

    Ingredients for 1 cocktail:

    • 40 ml gin
    • 10 ml tonic water
    • Juice of fresh lime
    • Cucumber slices, for garnish
    • Rosemary sprig, for garnish
    • Ice

    How to:

    Pour the gin into a glass and add the tonic water. Fill the glass with ice, then add freshly pressed lime juice. Garnish with cucumber slices and a sprig of rosemary for a crisp, refreshing, and visually stunning cocktail.

      4. Christmas Gin & Tonic

      For those who love simple cocktail recipes with a festive twist, this Christmas Gin & Tonic is the perfect way to carry the holiday spirit into your New Year’s celebration. With cranberry, rosemary, and a hint of cinnamon, it’s a bright, aromatic cocktail that feels both seasonal and refreshing.

      Ingredients for 1 cocktail:

      • 40 ml gin
      • 80 ml cranberry juice
      • 15 ml rosemary syrup
      • A splash of tonic water
      • 1 cinnamon stick
      • Rosemary, for garnish

      How to:

      Place a cinnamon stick (or a pinch of ground cinnamon) into a cocktail shaker. Add the gin, cranberry juice, rosemary syrup, and ice. Shake for about 30 seconds, then strain into a glass. Finish with a sprig of rosemary and a splash of tonic water for sparkle.

      Top tip: Coat the rim of the glass with sugar for an extra-festive touch.

      How to make rosemary syrup

      Perfect for holiday drinks and other simple cocktail recipes.

      You’ll need:

      • Equal parts sugar and water
      • Fresh sprigs of rosemary

      Method:

      Add the sugar and water to a small pan and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Add a few generous sprigs of rosemary, let the syrup cool completely, then remove the rosemary.

      5. Sparkling Berries

      No New Year’s celebration is complete without a little sparkle! This refreshing and festive cocktail recipe is versatile enough to enjoy year-round - simply swap the berries to match the season. It’s one of our favorite simple cocktail recipes for impressing guests without spending hours behind the bar.

      Ingredients for 1 cocktail:

      • 40 ml vodka
      • Sparkling wine
      • Frozen berries (seasonal favorites like blackcurrants or redcurrants)
      • Lemon & lime soft drink
      • Sliced lemon
      • Ice

      How to:

      Place your choice of frozen berries, vodka, and ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake well to combine and release the berry flavors. Strain the infused vodka into a cocktail glass, then top with equal parts sparkling wine and lemon & lime soft drink. Garnish with fresh lemon slices for a bright and festive finish.

      6. Bubbles with candy floss

      Looking for a fun and festive simple cocktail recipe? This sweet New Year’s drink is as playful as it is beautiful. Served in a coupe champagne glass, it delights guests as the candy floss slowly melts and the bubbles rise — perfect for both adults and kids (using non-alcoholic cider or lemonade).

      Ingredients for 1 serving:

      • Champagne (or non-alcoholic cider/lemonade for children)
      • Ready-made candy floss

      How to:

      Place a generous tuft of candy floss into a coupe glass. Just before serving, pour the champagne, cider, or lemonade over the candy floss. Watch as it melts into the drink, creating a whimsical, bubbly spectacle that’s sure to wow your guests.

      7. Champagne with Sorbet

      This New Year’s, elevate your celebrations with a delightfully refreshing and easy simple cocktail recipe. Combining champagne with lemon sorbet creates a sweet, festive drink that doubles as a light dessert. Perfect for after dinner or as a glamorous welcome drink.

      Ingredients for 1 serving:

      • Champagne
      • Lemon sorbet
      • Lemon slices, for garnish

      How to:

      Ensure both the champagne and sorbet are ice cold. Pour the champagne into a coupe glass, leaving space for a scoop of lemon sorbet. Add the sorbet on top and garnish with a thin slice of lemon. Serve immediately for a bubbly, creamy, and utterly festive drink.

      CHAMPAGNE GLASS

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        Serve a sparkling champagne tower

        Looking to add a touch of glamour to your New Year’s Eve party? A champagne tower is the ultimate showstopper. All you need are some coupe glassesand plenty of sparkling wine to create a stunning, cascading display that will wow your guests.

        The champagne tower isn’t just about style, it’s a fun, festive way to serve your bubbly and elevate the party atmosphere. Perfect for welcoming guests or celebrating the countdown in true New Year’s style.

        Discover exactly how to build a champagne tower here: How to build a champagne tower

        No matter which drink you choose, these simple cocktail recipes are all about celebrating in style without stress. From elegant champagne cocktails to playful, fruity sips, each recipe is designed to impress your guests and keep the party sparkling all night long.

        So gather your friends, raise a glass, and toast to a joyful, memorable New Year — because the perfect drink can turn any celebration into something truly magical. Cheers to a bubbly start to the year ahead!

        Discover more inspiration for your New Year's celebration here:

        Photography: Angeliqa Daldorph

        Styling: Rebecca Sparling, Linnéa Axelson, Simon Domeij, Lukas Kunwaryanto, Angeliqa Daldorph

        Linnéa Axelson
        Author

        For your new years cocktails

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