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A New Year’s Eve party is a fun, festive way to ring in the new year. It’s also a great excuse to enjoy good food with your favorite people. Whether you’re hosting at your place or headed to a friend’s house for a potluck, you’ll want some delicious food and drinks to help you celebrate.
If you haven't decided what you're going to make yet, there's plenty of time to pick up ingredients and make one of these New Year's Eve appetizers and cocktails before the festivities begin. These simple, crowd-pleasing recipes are sure to be the hit of any party.
Appetizers
Start the evening off right with these scrumptious appetizers – or enjoy them throughout the night!
Baked Brie
Baked brie is a super comforting and low-prep appetizer. Simply add your favorite toppings (cranberries and pecans work really well here), then bake at 350 degrees until soft and melted. You can also wrap the brie in a puff pastry sheet and bake until golden, brown and delicious. Serve with apples or crackers.
Hummus
For a quick and tasty vegan appetizer, try making your own hummus (this recipe takes only five minutes!). Once you have your base ingredients, mix in your favorite flavorings and serve with veggies or crackers for dipping.
Meatballs
Cover frozen meatballs in your favorite sauce or glaze, cook, and serve on toothpicks for an ultra-portable finger food. These grape jelly cocktail meatballs are the perfect combination of sweet and savory, and only take 10 minutes in the Instant Pot. Creamy Swedish meatballs are also a nice twist on this classic appetizer. And of course, you can’t go wrong with marinara sauce.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushroom caps act as a nutritious vessel for any savory filling you can imagine (we’ve linked some filling inspiration here – try these out or experiment with your own ideas!) Stuff mushrooms liberally, place on a greased baking sheet, and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving, then watch them disappear.
Cocktails
You’ve got your champagne ready for midnight, but you’ll also want some libations before the countdown. Here are a few of our favorite festive and easy-to-make cocktails and mocktails.
The Happy New Year
For a step up from the traditional glass of champagne, try out the Happy New Year cocktail. Combine brandy, ruby port, orange juice, and champagne in a cocktail shaker. Pour over ice and top with more champagne for an elevated toasting drink.
Sangria
Sangria is a popular party drink, with good reason: It’s easy to make, easy to drink, and customizable to your personal tastes. Combine your favorite wine with something carbonated (lemon-lime soda or seltzer work well), then add in complementary fruits. This silver sangria punch features dry white wine, gin and grape juice.
Spiced Cranberry Margarita
This spiced cranberry margarita is a wintery twist on the classic drink. The cinnamon simple syrup takes about 15 minutes to make from scratch, before you combine it with the remaining ingredients (tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and cranberry juice). While it’s a bit more involved, it’s worth it for the flavor.
Blackberry Vanilla Mocktail
For an elegant alcohol-free drink, try out this blackberry vanilla mocktail. Simply muddle blackberries with lemon juice, vanilla, honey and club soda. Once you’ve strained the mixture, transfer to an ice-filled cocktail glass and fill to the top with more club soda.
Pick up a party pack of Cookie Cups
Don’t feel like cooking or baking? Stop by The Cookie Cups to pick up a party pack of dessert Cups or Appetizer Minis before your party tonight! With a variety of sweet and savory flavors (including gluten-free options), we have something for everyone this New Year’s Eve.
Place an order for pickup at our Chanhassen or Navarre locations.