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 Cocktail recipes + my favorite mocktail!
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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 85-song 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 the finger 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
Cocktail (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 cocktail recipes, like these and (my favorite!) 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 cocktails!)
- Cocktail Napkins
- Wine Opener
- Twist Peeler
Use the Right Glassware for your Cocktails
- Old Fashioned or "Rocks" Glasses - for drinks served with ice
- Martini Glasses - use for any 'up' cocktails that are stirred or shaken and strained
- Champagne Glasses, either Coupe or Flute - for Champagne (or sparkling wine) and Champagne Cocktails
Savory Finger Foods
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
A fast and fabulous recipe for cooking scallops wrapped in bacon!
Check out this recipe
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
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.
Check out this recipe
Bacon Wrapped Dates
These are delicious warm from the oven and at room temperature making them an indispensable party appetizer. Feel free to double the recipe!
Check out this recipe
Crispy Baked Coconut Shrimp
The secret to truly crispy baked coconut shrimp is in the breading. It's all about double toasting - toast the panko breadcrumbs and coconut before you bread the shrimp and let it crisp up again while the shrimp bakes. With this method, the breading adheres perfectly and the shrimp stay truly crispy. It's the best alternative to deep frying that I've found!
Check out this recipe
Pork and Vegetable Crispy Baked Egg Rolls
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.
Check out this 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!
Check out this recipe
Garlic Parmesan Baked Potato Wedges
Crispy baked potatoes loaded with garlic and parmesan are sure to be a party pleaser!
Check out this recipe
Salt Potatoes
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!
Check out this recipe
Spicy Deviled Eggs
If you've wondered how to make spicy deviled eggs, this recipe is for you! A spicy sriracha kick and a sprinkle of red chili flakes take creamy deviled eggs from just okay to extraordinary!
Check out this recipe
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
Succulent shrimp in a buttery, bright lemon garlic butter sauce!
Check out this recipe
Baked Goat Cheese
Crispy and golden brown outside, soft and warm inside, Baked Goat Cheese is a perfect appetizer or salad topper!
Check out this recipe
Festive Foods with a Little More Substance
Easy Crab Cakes
An easy crab cake recipe for people who want to taste crab not fillers in their crab cakes!
Check out this recipe
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs
A quick and easy recipe for tender, juicy chicken thighs wrapped in smoky bacon.
Check out this recipe
Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders
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.
Check out this recipe
Twice Baked Potatoes
A lightened up version of Emeril Lagasse's restaurant Overstuffed Twice Baked Potatoes.
Check out this recipe
Dips, Sauces and Spreads
Baba Ganoush
A simple method for making this thick, creamy, smoky Lebanese dish!
Check out this recipe
Classic French Remoulade Sauce
Serve this delicious remoulade sauce as a condiment for fish, seafood or red meat.
Check out this recipe
Louisiana-Style Remoulade Sauce
Spicy Louisiana Style Remoulade sauce recipe - perfect for crab cakes, as a dip for boiled shrimp, po' boy sandwiches, and Shrimp Remoulade.
Check out this recipe
Green Olive Tapenade
A versatile and vibrant olive tapenade that everyone will love!
Check out this recipe
Elegant Salads
Seafood Pasta Salad
A delicious and satisfying main course pasta salad loaded with succulent shrimp and crab tossed in a creamy dressing.
Check out this recipe
Crab Salad
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!
Check out this recipe
Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Serve this as a side or top it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon for a simple one-dish meal.
Check out this recipe
Champagne Vinaigrette
A delicious, tasty salad dressing that's so simple you may learn the recipe by heart!
Check out this 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.
Check out this 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
Check out this recipe
Lavosh Crackers
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.
Check out this recipe
Almond Flour Crackers
Light and delicately crisp and cheesy gluten free crackers!
Check out this recipe
Mouthwatering Crostini Recipes
Blue Cheese Crostini with Pecans and Honey
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.
Check out this recipe
Apple Crostini with Fig Jam and Pecorino
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.
Check out this recipe
Parsley Pesto and Burst Heirloom Cherry Tomato Crostini
Delicious little toasts of crusty bread topped with parsley pesto jammy cherry tomatoes.
Check out this recipe
Brie Crostini with Cherries and Arugula
A simple and delicious crostini recipe made with just 4 ingredients that are easy to find!
Check out this recipe
Caprese Crostini with Pesto
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.
Check out this recipe
Perfect New Year's Eve Party Sweets
Homemade Champagne Gummy Bears
Make these homemade Champagne Gummy Bears with just 3 ingredients in less than 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Pecan Pie Truffles
These little Pecan Pie Truffles are a few bites of sweet, boozy bliss with pecans, maple syrup, and bourbon!
Check out this 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.
Check out this recipe
Sugared Pecans
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!
Check out this recipe
Homemade Chouquettes (French Pastry Sugar Puffs)
Simple to make and absolutely delicious, chouquettes are lightly sweet pastry puffs that make a wonderful snack and perfect party fare.
Check out this recipe
New Year's Eve Cocktails + 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.
Check out this recipe
Non Alcoholic Sangria
Finally! A non-alcoholic Sangria to get excited about - all because of an unexpected ingredient that mimics the missing alcohol!
Check out this recipe
Eggnog Cocktail
This Eggnog Cocktail 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.
Check out this recipe
Mulled Wine
This warming mulled wine recipe is festive, delicious and right in your slow cooker!
Check out this recipe
Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe
A twist on the classic Negroni, swapping in whiskey for gin.
Check out this recipe
Peach Bellini Recipe
A classic cocktail made famous by Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy that's so easy to make at home!
Check out this recipe
Happy New Year, my friend! I love this post! So inspiring! Speaking of inspired - we made your champagne gummy bears, and loved them! They were a big hit!! 🙂
Yay! I'm so happy to hear that, Annie! Happy New Year!
What a lovely selection of appetizers for NYE or any time of year! My hubby and I could make a meal on appetizers, and I can see some of these making an appearance for our Friday night snacking! Happy New Year Marissa!
Keith and I are the same! Such a fun way to make a meal. Happy New Year, Leanne!
Happy New Year to you Marissa! I'm just catching up after taking a break over the Christmas and New Yew festivities. The food and cocktails here are all so delicious looking. I hope you had an amazing Christmas and New Year yourself and am looking forward to all your recipes during 2020!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Neil! And Happy New Year to you!
I missed out on this post prior to NYE, but that's ok. Football playoffs and the Super Bowl are coming, and those are great excuses to make appetizers and bite-sized foods. That Pesto Crostini is totally going on the list!
So true! And I think you'll love that Pesto Crostini - it's always a hit. It seems there's always a good reason to whip up some appetizers, right? Thanks, David!
The cocktails and the food all look so wonderful! I would have this sort of party all year long. Happy, happy new Year, Marissa! Looking forward to more of your delicious recipes in 2020! 🙂 Valentina
Thank you so much, Valentina! Happy New Year!
What a perfect post, Marissa. Just in time for New Year's!! I think I"ll be referencing these tips for other dinner parties too, not just NYE. I would love to try each of those recipes too!! Happy New Year's, my friend. See you in 2020!
Thank you, Katherine! Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family!
Everything you need to plan your NYE party is right here - what a fabulous round up, Marissa! Thanks so much! Wishing you a wonderful New Year!
Thank you, Katerina! Wishing you a wonderful New Year as well!
Hi Marissa! This year I found myself hosting a very last minute NYE Dinner Party and as I was scratching my head thinking, “what am I going to do now?”, my dad (a big fan of yours, Tom from Virginia) sent me this blog post. I scrolled through it, took a deep breath and smiled, and VOILA, a fabulous dinner party came to life! I made the Coconut Shrimp, Baked Camembert, Bacon Wrapped Dates, and the Feta & Lemon Crostini. All were wonderful! Thank you so much for all of these delicious and easy to follow recipes. All I had to do was insert Champagne and Sequins!
Oh Bridget, you made my WEEK with this comment. Thank you! Tom is a dear and I love it that he introduced us, even if not in person. 😉 And it sounds like you know how to throw a party...lucky guests!
I'm with Chey! I'm coming to your house for NYE! This is a post I see myself visiting a lot in the future! An awful lot! Thanks, again, for including my crostini! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Woohoo!! That would make me so happy, Annie! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too, my sweet friend!
What a great collection, Marissa! New Year's Eve is seriously one of my favorite nights of the year. Our tradition is just to stay home and eat delicious finger foods and drink delicious drinks. Staying up for the actual ball drop is about a 50-50 chance, and I'm totally ok with that! 🙂 Thanks for the new ideas as well as the party advice! Happy (early) New Year's, my friend!
Your tradition sounds just like ours, David! Happy, Happy New Year to you too!
Too bad we aren't headed back up North this Christmas/NYE, but now I have a game plan thanks to you! Great line up Marissa! 🙂
Thanks so much, Kevin!
I'm coming to your house for New Years!! Don't mind me.. I just invite myself to fabulous places. 😉 Seriously though, this is a FABULOUS post, Marissa! I'm not hosting a new year party, but this makes me wish I was!! Thank you SO much for including my camembert in the finger food ideas! Pinning! Cheers, doll! xoxo
You are ON! Thanks so much, Chey!!
What a lovely round up and awesome tips, Marissa! Hubby and I love to stay in on New Years to celebrate so this is right up my alley! So much better than going out (and waaaaay better food). Thanks a million for including me! Sharing 🙂 XOXO
Amen to all that, Dawn. We're the same way... xoxo
This is a GREAT post Marissa! Pinned!! Thanks for all of the great recipes - I am actually going to steal a few ideas for the Christmas dinner I'm hosting. I'm going to sleep tonight dreaming of those coconut shrimp 😉
I love it! I think Coconut Shrimp are a totally reasonable thing to dream about. 🙂