I have always loved New Year’s Eve—as long as I’m staying at home. I don’t have any desire to go out that night; I much prefer being cozy at home with family, friends, or both, and lots of snacks.
This year we’ll be at home again, and with so much illness still going around in our house, I can’t wait to pull together all the party food for Sunday night.
Let’s start with cocktails. Of course! I considered dropping my Thursday cocktail posts in 2018 to save time, but they’re some of my favorite posts to create, style and shoot. After being pregnant for most of 2017 and missing out on summer cocktail options, I’m keeping Thirsty Thursday going.
Here are some favorites for New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.
Lemon raspberry sorbet prosecco floats are festive, fun, and easy to customize with your favorite sorbet or sparkling wine.
If you’re still celebrating the holidays, a pear sangria feels seasonal and bright—a great make-ahead option that’s full of flavor.
Blackberry champagne punch is a party-ready choice when you want something bubbly and fruity.
Rosé champagne mojitos—with a sweet champagne syrup—are a playful, elegant option if you want a twist on a classic cocktail.
And for the late-night crowd, three-ingredient espresso martinis will help keep everyone going through the countdown.
Now snacks. Here are five favorites that are perfect for New Year’s Eve: you can scale them down for two or four people, or double the quantities to feed a crowd.
A huge cheeseboard is always my top recommendation. It’s versatile, easy to assemble, and you can include anything you love—cheeses, fruits, nuts, spreads and crackers. Even a small board brings that same feel to a gathering.
A Greek marinated flank steak platter is a big hit: flavorful, simple to slice and serve, and pairs beautifully with bread, olives and a few lemony sides.
Butternut squash goat cheese dip is rich, comforting and surprisingly addictive—perfect for dipping with pita chips or toasted baguette slices.
A pomegranate-jeweled white cheddar cheeseball adds color and festive flavor. It’s a welcome seasonal classic that feels celebratory and bright on the table.
Finally, a classic spinach artichoke dip with bacon is an old favorite for a reason: warm, cheesy and crowd-pleasing every time. Serve it with sturdy chips or bread for scooping.
So now I want to know—what are your plans for New Year’s Eve? Any traditions? Heading to bed before midnight, going out with friends, or keeping it low-key at home? And what will you be making?