Your ultimate guide to hosting on New Year's Eve
After the fanfare of Christmas, New Year's Eve is a more relaxed affair that's all about having fun with a glass of something sparkling in hand. This is our essential guide to the big countdown with easy cocktail and mocktail recipes, canapés, dinner party ideas and top hangover cures. Happy new year!
The best drinks: fizz, beers, mocktail and cocktail recipes
Champagne and other sparkling wine
It wouldn't be New Year's Eve without a glass of something sparkling. While Champagne is traditionally the go-to toast for midnight, there are other great alternatives if you want to drink fizz throughout the evening without blowing your bank account, or if you just fancy something different. Check out our guide to cava, prosecco, crémant and more plus the best alternatives to prosecco.
Beer
We think you should put just as much thought into beer choices as you would with wine. Whether you'll just be serving canapés or cooking a sit-down meal, take a look at our craft beer and food pairings. Did you know Belgian beer goes well with cheese, and hoppy IPA with curry?
If you're not drinking booze, we've also got you covered with our pick of the best alcohol-free beers. There's something to suit everyone's taste from a dark chocolate stout to an easy-going lager.
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Cocktail recipes
Impress your guests and shake up a storm with our best cocktail recipes:
Festive grapefruit and blood orange cocktail
20 easy three-ingredient cocktails anyone can make
Maldon/loveFOOD
Mocktail recipes
Just as delicious as a regular cocktail but with none of the booze:
Catherine Gratwicke/Kyle Books
READ MORE: Fizzy facts about Champagne
The best snack and canapé recipes
Forget the cheese and pineapple hedgehog, our canapé recipes are simple to make and will have everyone coming back for more. We've got recipes for classic party snacks with a twist (think devilled eggs with a creamy tahini filling), last-minute heroes in the form of goats' cheese crostini and easy dips for crisps, crudité and crackers. Here's what to make:
Baked figs with halloumi, prosciutto and basil
Devilled eggs with tahini and za'atar
Goats' cheese crostini with beetroot
Simple three-ingredient dips you can make in minutes
Courtesy of Waitrose & Partners
READ MORE: Quick appetisers for last-minute guests
The best NYE dinner party recipes
If you're cooking for friends or family on New Year's Eve, make a one-pot dish you can serve at the table or something you can prep ahead. No one wants to be running around the kitchen while everyone else is getting the party started with that first cocktail. For something special but simple, bookmark these fail-safe crowd-pleasers and take it easy on the night:
Harissa chicken and apricot pilaf
READ MORE: Take a look at these simple one-tin desserts
Georgia Glynn Smith/BBC Books
The best hangover cures
You overdid it, you've got a fuzzy head and need some sustenance come 1 January. Whether you're in the mood for something crispy, salty and decadent, a spicy pick-me-up, a bowl of soothing soup, hair of the dog or a healthy juice, there's a recipe for you. These are some of our best hangover cures:
Grilled cheese and chutney sandwich
French toast-style bacon crumpets
Corn fritters with smoked salmon and poached eggs
READ MORE: The best comfort foods to get you through January
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Lead image: AG Photo Design/Shutterstock
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