This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Planning New Year’s Eve party? Here’s my game plan for a stress-free party with easy New Year’s Eve Appetizer Recipes and fabulous New Year’s Eve co*cktail recipes + my favorite mocktail!
Table of Contents
- How do you organize a New Year’s Eve Party?
- Savory Finger Foods
- Festive Foods with a Little More Substance
- Dips, Sauces and Spreads
- Elegant Salads
- Crackers
- Mouthwatering Crostini Recipes
- Perfect New Year’s Eve Party Sweets
- New Year’s Eve co*cktails + My Favorite Mocktail!
How do you organize a New Year’s Eve Party?
Skip the printing and send pretty and free online invitations. Here are two great sources:
Music: set the mood with a perfect playlist.
- Be sure to include a mix of lively, soft, and nostalgic songs. (Like this New Years Eve 2023 Spotify playlist)
- Ask your party guests for a few of their favorite songs and add them to the mix.
Party Decor: it doesn’t have to be expensive.
- Think sparkle: white lights, mirrors under dishes, low lights, candles (LED or traditional).
Finger Foods (skip the silverware!): the mix and the quantity.
- Include savory and sweet finger-food appetizers.
- Assume that your guests will eat two or three of each of thefinger foods.
- Determine the number of finger food varieties based on the number of guests:
- 10 to 15 guests = 3 or 4 varieties
- 15 to 20 guests = 4 or 5 varieties
- 25 or more guests = 5 or more varieties
co*cktail (and mocktail!) quantities: better safe than sorry.
- A general rule is 3 drinks per person for every 2 hours of the party. But it doesn’t hurt to have extra on hand.
- Don’t forget your teetotaler friends and designated drivers – there are lots of fun, non-alcoholic co*cktail recipes, like these: Virgin Mojito recipe, Virgin Margarita recipe and Non Alcoholic Sangria.
- Equivalents:
- 1 liter of a distilled spirit yields about 22 mixed drinks
- 1 750-milliliter bottle of wine or champagne yields 6 to 8 glasses
Essential Bar Tools
- Ice Bucket with Tongs
- Ice (these giant ice cube trays are fun!)
- Shaker and Strainer
- Shot Glass or Jigger
- Muddler
- Small Cutting Board
- Small Knife
- Garnishes (lemons, limes, maraschino cherries, olives, bitters, etc. – depending on your choice of co*cktails!)
- co*cktail Napkins
- Wine Opener
- Twist Peeler
Use the Right Glassware for your co*cktails
- Old Fashioned or “Rocks” Glasses – for drinks served with ice
- Martini Glasses – use for any ‘up’ co*cktails that are stirred or shaken and strained
- Champagne Glasses, either Coupe or Flute – for Champagne (or sparkling wine) and Champagne co*cktails
Savory Finger Foods
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
4.83 from 51 votes
A fast and fabulous recipe for cooking scallops wrapped in bacon!
View Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
5 from 23 votes
Partially cooking the bacon is a key step to these perfectly succulent shrimp wrapped in bacon! A crowd pleasing appetizer recipe that's also great for keto and low carb diets.
Note that you'll need toothpicks to secure the bacon strips around the shrimp.
View Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Dates
5 from 9 votes
These are delicious warm from the oven and at room temperature making them an indispensable party appetizer. Feel free to double the recipe!
View Recipe
Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
5 from 3 votes
Feel free to double or triple this recipe and assemble up to 2 days before you plan to bake and serve.
View Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
5 from 2 votes
It's the smoky, sweet and spicy combination of flavors that make this appetizer impossible to resist!
View Recipe
Prosciutto Wrapped Asaparagus
5 from 7 votes
When it comes to appetizers, it's hard to beat Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus for flavor and convenience! No matter how you choose to cook your asparagus (roasted, grilled, or pan-fried) be sure to let the spears cool to room temperature before wrapping with prosciutto.
View Recipe
Crispy Baked Coconut Shrimp
4.72 from 7 votes
A delicious and easy alternative to deep-fried coconut shrimp. This recipe requires minimal effort and mess, but yields maximum flavor and crunch.
View Recipe
Crispy Baked Egg Rolls
5 from 11 votes
This recipe makes 10 egg rolls. You could also make mini-rolls to serve as appetizers using wonton wrappers instead. If you do this, reduce the baking time to 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
View Recipe
Goat Cheese Phyllo Cup Appetizers
These bite-sized Goat Cheese Phyllo Cup Appetizers are made with just six ingredients and ready in 15 minutes or less, these bites can also be made in advance and frozen!
Salt Potatoes
5 from 14 votes
Who knew that just potatoes, salt, and water could create such a delicious dish! Fingerling potatoes get buttery smooth on the inside with a crisp, salty crust on the outside to make an addictive appetizer!
View Recipe
Spicy Deviled Eggs
5 from 4 votes
The ideal party and picnic treat and an ideal way to enjoy leftover hard boiled eggs. Simple to make with an addictive spicy kick.
View Recipe
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
4.89 from 9 votes
Succulent shrimp in a buttery, bright lemon garlic butter sauce!
View Recipe
Baked Goat Cheese
5 from 8 votes
Crispy and golden brown outside, soft and warm inside, Baked Goat Cheese is a perfect appetizer or salad topper!
View Recipe
Festive Foods with a Little More Substance
Easy Crab Cakes
5 from 13 votes
An easy crab cake recipe for people who want to taste crab not fillers in their crab cakes!
View Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs
5 from 4 votes
A quick and easy recipe for tender, juicy chicken thighs wrapped in smoky bacon.
View Recipe
Tuna Tartare
5 from 4 votes
A delectable Tuna Tartare recipe courtesy of Michelin Star restaurant, K&L Bistro in Sebastopol, California.
View Recipe
Pulled Pork Nachos
5 from 6 votes
Pulled Pork Nachos are a decadent delicious way to enjoy leftover pulled pork!
View Recipe
Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders
5 from 13 votes
Truly crispy baked buffalo chicken tenders with simple blue cheese dip – perfect party fare! I love to serve cold and crunchy carrot and celery sticks with this too.
View Recipe
Twice Baked Potatoes
5 from 9 votes
A lightened up version of Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant Overstuffed Twice Baked Potatoes.
View Recipe
Mexican Shrimp co*cktail
5 from 5 votes
An elegant, chilled appetizer with plump, flavorful shrimp, fresh tomato, cucumber and avocado in a lightly spicy tomato based sauce.
View Recipe
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
5 from 1 vote
A perfect blend of juicy, seared steak cubes bathed in buttery garlic goodness. A quick recipe that's makes any meal or party a memorable affair.
View Recipe
Dips, Sauces and Spreads
Baba Ganoush
5 from 13 votes
A simple method for making this thick, creamy, smoky Lebanese dish!
View Recipe
Classic French Remoulade Sauce
4.67 from 3 votes
Serve this delicious remoulade sauce as a condiment for fish, seafood or red meat.
View Recipe
Remoulade Sauce
5 from 8 votes
Spicy Louisiana Style Remoulade sauce recipe – perfect for crab cakes, as a dip for boiled shrimp, po’ boy sandwiches, and Shrimp Remoulade.
View Recipe
Green Olive Tapenade
5 from 3 votes
A versatile and vibrant olive tapenade that everyone will love!
View Recipe
Elegant Salads
Seafood Pasta Salad
5 from 10 votes
A delicious and satisfying main course pasta salad loaded with succulent shrimp and crab tossed in a creamy dressing.
View Recipe
Crab Salad
5 from 12 votes
An easy and delicious recipe using real lump crab meat. Serve on it's own or as a Seafood Pasta Salad or delectable sandwich! Perfect for gluten free, and low carb and keto diets!
View Recipe
Caesar Salad
5 from 8 votes
Serve this as a side or top it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon for a simple one-dish meal.
View Recipe
Celery Root Remoulade
5 from 10 votes
The classic French bistro salad.
View Recipe
Champagne Vinaigrette
5 from 15 votes
A delicious, tasty salad dressing that's so simple you may learn the recipe by heart!
View Recipe
Crackers
Flaky Parmesan Cheese Straws
These are wonderful with Parmigiano-Reggiano, but I imagine other hard cheeses or even cheddar would be equally good. If I were using cheddar, I would shred then freeze it before adding to the flour mixture in the food processor.
View Recipe
Sour Cherry, Walnut and Rosemary Crackers
You’ll need to start at least a day or several hours in advance to make these as they need to be frozen solid before slicing. Special Equipment: You’ll need 4 mini-loaf pans (6.75″(L) x 3.25″(W”) x 1.5″(H)) – I love these
View Recipe
Lavosh Crackers
5 from 9 votes
These snappy crisp crackers, made with whole grain flour, olive oil, and sesame seeds, are easy to make and are a great snack or addition to any gathering.
View Recipe
Almond Flour Crackers
5 from 4 votes
Light and delicately crisp and cheesy gluten free crackers!
View Recipe
Mouthwatering Crostini Recipes
Blue Cheese Crostini with Pecans and Honey
5 from 5 votes
Serve these warm and delicious crostini at your next party! Just 4 simple ingredients! This recipe is for 12 crostini, but scales easily for as many as you need.
View Recipe
Apple Crostini with Fig Jam and Pecorino
5 from 3 votes
Just a few simple ingredients in these Apple Crostini with Fig Jam and Pecorino! This recipe is for 12 crostini, but scales easily for as many as you need.
View Recipe
Parsley Pesto and Burst Heirloom Cherry Tomato Crostini
Delicious little toasts of crusty bread topped with parsley pesto jammy cherry tomatoes.
Brie Crostini with Cherries and Arugula
5 from 1 vote
A simple and delicious crostini recipe made with just 4 ingredients that are easy to find!
View Recipe
Caprese Crostini with Pesto
5 from 1 vote
You’ll have leftover pesto. Toss it with freshly cooked pasta for a second, simple meal or add a dollop to your favorite vinaigrette. The generous amount of lemon juice makes this pesto tangy and preserves it’s brilliant green color.
View Recipe
Feta and Lemon Crostini
5 from 1 vote
Inspired by Sweet Paul's Feta & Lemon Dip
View Recipe
Perfect New Year’s Eve Party Sweets
Homemade Champagne Gummy Bears
4.80 from 5 votes
Make thesehomemade Champagne Gummy Bears with just 3 ingredients in less than 30 minutes!
View Recipe
Pecan Pie Truffles
These little Pecan Pie Truffles are a few bites of sweet, boozy bliss with pecans, maple syrup, and bourbon!
Cashew Brittle
4.75 from 4 votes
An easy recipe for lightly salty, cashew loaded brittle!
View Recipe
Dark Chocolate Mini Peanut Butter Cups
Add a healthier option to your dessert spread with these adorable peanut butter cups! Just a few simple ingredients and no refined sugar.
Sugared Pecans
5 from 14 votes
Sugared Pecans are easy to make and deliciously addictive! Delicious for snacking and as a sweet and crunchy topping for salads or desserts. And a perfect edible gift for the holidays!
View Recipe
Homemade Chouquettes (French Pastry Sugar Puffs)
4.84 from 18 votes
Simple to make and absolutely delicious, chouquettes are lightly sweet pastry puffs that make a wonderful snack and perfect party fare.
View Recipe
New Year’s Eve co*cktails + My Favorite Mocktail!
Meyer Lemon French 75
First poured in a Paris bar in 1915, the French 75 is a delicious mix of Champagne, gin, lemon juice and sugar.
View Recipe
Non Alcoholic Sangria
5 from 6 votes
Finally! A non-alcoholic Sangria to get excited about – all because of an unexpected ingredient that mimics the missing alcohol!
View Recipe
Eggnog co*cktail
This Eggnog co*cktail is ultra cold and creamy, and warmly spiced. A holiday crowd pleaser, it’s the perfect beverage to add some flair to an evening with friends.
Virgin Margarita Recipe
5 from 1 vote
A simple, everyday ingredient makes these non-alcoholic margaritas taste like the real thing.
View Recipe
Mulled Wine
This warming mulled wine recipe is festive, delicious and right in your slow cooker!
Boulevardier co*cktail Recipe
5 from 3 votes
A twist on the classic Negroni, swapping in whiskey for gin.
View Recipe
Peach Bellini Recipe
5 from 13 votes
A classic co*cktail made famous by Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy that's so easy to make at home!
View Recipe
