New Year's Eve cocktails 2025

Best tequila cocktails for a big celebration  

If this year you’ve decided to host a party for NYE, consider serving tequila-based cocktails. Tequila has experienced an explosion in popularity recently, so by using this special spirit you can be certain your drinks will be real crowd pleasers. August recommends trying the Cranberry Kiss Sparkling Paloma. It's a fruity mix of grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, champagne, and tequila that's incredibly delicious. For something extra elegant, opt for the Casa Royale. It's made with Casamigos blanco tequila, crème de cassis and topped off with chilled champagne or prosecco. Plus, you can roll the rim of the glasses in edible gold leaf or glitter to create something really special.   

Vodka drinks for a NYE dinner party 

Perhaps you're hosting a dinner party for New Year's Eve for just your closest circle who are big vodka fans. And for good reason, as vodka is a versatile spirit that can be used to create lots of cocktails, making it a go-to choice for any celebration. August's expert tip is to serve a greatly underrated drink, the French Martini. Simplicity is key, and with just three ingredients it’s a breeze to recreate at home – plus the shaken pineapple juice will create a lovely frothy top for an extra ‘wow!’. 

You’ll need: 

• 30ml (1oz) vodka 

• 30ml (1oz) raspberry liqueur 

• 40ml 1.3oz) pineapple juice (the fresher the better) 

• Raspberries 

• Ice 

To make: 

• Combine the vodka, liqueur and juice in a shaker filled with ice 

• Shake and strain into a martini glass 

• Garnish with a few skewered raspberries

Baileys sips for a family reunion

If this year you've decided to relax and watch the clock strike 12 at home with family, Baileys Original Irish Cream  is the perfect drink to serve. If you're wanting to serve a cocktail that also feels like a dessert, August recommends serving your favourite flavour Baileys over vanilla ice cream for a twist on the traditional affogato. Or if a cocktail is more your style, August says the Baileys Midnight Mint is a great finale to your NYE.  

Try the recipe

Gin cocktails for a chilled out gathering 

A classic gin martini is an easy-to-make cocktail that's perfect to toast the start of 2024 with and it's made with the exquisite Tanqueray No. TEN for a smooth and fresh taste. If you want to go a step further, the stunning French 75 tastes as good as it looks. This elegant, fizzy drink will delight your guests and really set the mood for a celebratory night. For those who don't drink alcohol, use Tanqueray 0.0% to mix up alcohol-free options that will have everyone toasting together.   

Rum drinks and a takeaway for two 

After days of toying with the idea of "should we stay home on New Year's Eve", you and your partner have finally decided - you're staying in. To make it special, as you don't fancy cooking, you plan to order a takeaway. And to make it extra special, if you're both rum fans, try out some of August's favourite rum cocktails. Pop open the rum and have a read of these… The Old Cuban – blending the deep notes of rum with the crispness of sparkling wine You’ll need: 

• 40ml (1.3oz) dark rum 

• 15ml (0.5oz) lime juice 

• 10ml (0.3oz) sugar syrup – 2 parts sugar dissolved over heat into 1 part water 

• Sparkling wine 

• Handful of mint leaves and one sprig 

• Lime peel 

• Ice 

To make: 

• Muddle the mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker 

• Fill the shaker with ice and add the rum, juice and syrup 

• Shake and strain into a martini glass and top with sparkling wine 

• Garnish with a twisted lime peel and a mint sprig 

The Treacle – a rum variation of an Old Fashioned, with the fruity addition of apple juice You’ll need: 

• 50ml (1.75oz) rum 

• 5ml (0.15oz) sugar syrup – 2 parts sugar dissolved over heat into 1 part water  

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters 

• 20ml (0.6oz) clear apple juice 

• Orange peel 

• Ice 

To make: 

• Add ice to a rocks glass and pour in the rum, syrup and bitters 

• Stir and top with the apple juice 

• Garnish with a twisted orange pel