Save the good luck and virtuous living for New Year’s Day. When it comes to New Year’s Eve foods, decadent is the word. As the end cap to the holiday season, the night is for hedonistic pursuits—even if those pursuits are getting into your comfiest velour jammies and settling in for the night.
Below, you’ll find our favorite drinks, appetizers, and even sit-down dinners (not everyone wants to go to a cocktail party) to serve for the holiday. Wine contributor André Mack will teach you the ins and outs of shopping for sparkling wine—and how to choose a bottle for a special occasion, no matter your budget. Then we’ll get into why opening a bottle of Champagne for your New Year’s Eve party should be the quietest thing you do all night. And last, we’ll dig into some desserts, because every New Year’s Eve should end on a sweet note.
53 Dazzling New Year’s Eve Appetizers
Whether you’re hosting the best New Year’s Eve party on the block or headed straight for the couch, you’re going to need some snacks. This collection of our favorite finger foods features melty Brie Bites With Jezebel Sauce, store-bought potato chips that we’ve gussied up with Old Bay seasoning, marinated mozzarella balls with sweet pickled peppers, and plenty more crowd-pleasing party foods.
Try Spinach and Artichoke Dip enriched with cream cheese and Parmesan, lamb meatballs plated with yogurt and mint pesto, a melange of fried salami with dates and pecans, or a pistachio-crusted cheese ball. Or check out our favorite appetizer galleries, below.
43 Celebratory New Year’s Eve Drinks
Our best New Year’s Eve drinks include sparkling wine standards like the French 75 and a Champagne cocktail (see below), but we’ve also got classic cocktails (Negroni, anyone?) and easy sippers like a Cranberry Rum Punch and Pomegranate Spritzers. Want to drink all night without getting too buzzed? Try these low-ABV sherry and vermouth drinks—or skip the alcohol altogether for a Phony Negroni, one of our favorite nonalcoholic party beverages. Sticking with straight bubbles all night long? Keep on scrolling for some expert tips on wine shopping and the intel you really need: why POPPING a cork is bad form.
Whatever your budget, there is a special occasion wine to suit the vibe. André Mack is here to walk you through the wine store.
A Whole Meal
Can’t sit around noshing on finger foods and downing martinis all night? Our collection of New Year’s Eve dinner ideas has a little something for everyone: quick-cooking scallops for a romantic night with the one, slow-roasted duck for a decadent feast among friends, a lamb meatloaf for a crowd-pleasing family affair, plus a few of our go-to side dishes like sour cream–enriched Twice-Baked Potatoes.
If none of those suit the bill, consider a Sheet-Pan Pizza With Kimchi and Hot Dogs or Citrus-Glazed Pork Chops. Set up pulled pork in the slow cooker before heading out so you can come home to post-midnight sandwiches. Or, get a jump start on January 1 with a meal of collard greens and Hoppin’ John. Still undecided? Check out Shilpa Uskokovic’s holiday menu on a budget.
47 New Year’s Eve Dessert Recipes
Want to end the year on a sugar high? Too bad you already finished off your holiday cookies, huh? No matter. We’ve got gingery no-bake cheesecake bars, DIY truffles that’ll let your guests get in on the action, goat cheese and apple scones for people who wish dessert could be a little less sweet, an almond pie that made waves on the national news, and so much more.
Resolutions
