12 Easy (and Fun!) Ideas for New Year’s Eve Snacks and Drinks

New Year’s Eve is a wonderful time to celebrate the passing of another year, and an excellent opportunity to reflect and renew ourselves for the one that lies ahead. Families have different ways of ringing in the new year; some prefer a night out while others like more of a small get-together with close family and friends. Some families simply choose to stay up late with the kids and watch the ball drop at midnight from the comfort of home.

Whatever your New Year’s Eve style, one thing is for sure: no ordinary snacks or drinks will do! Even a night-in at home deserves a special touch, with festive foods and drinks that sparkle.

We’ve got 12 Ideas for New Year’s Eve snacks and drinks that are decadent, easy to make and won’t break the bank!

Savory Snacks

Some of the best party snacks are bite-sized versions of foods we know and love. For instance, Loaded Mini Potato Skins take all the savory, comforting flavors of this steakhouse side and turn them into cute appetizers smothered with cheese, bacon and sour cream.

Love pizza? Mini Margherita Pizzas are single-serving pies that use flatbread as a crust (a great time saver) and can be customized with toppings to fit everyone’s tastes.

Nothing says “holiday” quite like a cheese ball, and these Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls do the trick. Serve them lollipop-style using pretzel sticks for an adorable look. To make a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and swap it for chopped bell peppers.

How about this for a perfect New Year’s Eve snack: a Shrimp Cocktail Snack Board! This clever recipe reinterprets an elaborate fine dining staple into a shareable, casual experience. It’s kind of like a cheese board, but with shrimp and all the fixings. It includes multiple sauces for dipping, plus fresh veggies and crackers or toast points to round out the choices.

Another tasty option is Oven Fried Pickles, reminiscent of the menu at your favorite pub. The golden, crunchy exterior makes a great contrast to the tangy pickle slice inside, with an herb and garlic dipping sauce on the side. Making these in the oven means no deep-frying mess!

Sweets

Sparkling wine is an iconic way to say “cheers” when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve! There are lots of ways to use bubbly as an ingredient for other treats, too. These Mini Prosecco Cupcakes take the classic combination of sparkling wine and strawberries and transform them into charming confections. Prosecco buttercream might just be your new go-to frosting for birthday cakes and cookie sandwiches, too.

Strawberries and Champagne Cheesecake also plays off the berries-and-wine combo in this show-stopping dessert that looks like it came from a gourmet bakery. This cheesecake comes together in just 45 minutes, with another 55 in the oven. The toppings are easy to pull off — and make an elegant final touch.

We often think of fondue as a savory, cheesy dish, but it can work well for dessert, too. White Chocolate Champagne Fondue is an interactive treat that allows guests to dip cubes of pound cake (find them ready to slice in Food Lion’s bakery department) into a luscious fondue made from white chocolate, cream and real champagne. Top them with colorful sprinkles for a festive effect.

Rosé champagne gets a dessert makeover with scoops of fruity sorbet in these Champagne Floats. They look amazing served in flutes and topped with a few berries! This is a fantastic recipe to bookmark for Valentine’s Day, too.

These playful Champagne Jello Shot Cubes with Pop Rocks are both fruity and fun! Simply swap sparkling wine for your typical spirit of choice for a more reserved option the adults will love. 

Drinks

Looking for a few fabulous cocktails? Pick up an extra bottle of bubbly to make a round of Sparkling Pear Mimosas! This seasonal sipper combines sparkling wine with pears that are pureed with fresh ginger and honey for a sweet kick.

For another twist on champagne cocktails, try a Blueberry Bellini. It boasts a dramatic purple color and is a cinch to prepare. Make a homemade syrup from fresh or frozen blueberries, then add it to a flute and top with sparkling wine. To make a mocktail version, simply replace the wine with sparkling grape juice or non-alcoholic sparkling cider!

We wish you and your family a happy and healthy New Year, with lots of time spent together and plenty of delicious things to eat and drink. Whether you’re planning a big bash or keeping it low-key, you’ll find everything you need to keep the good times rolling on the last night of the year at your neighborhood Food Lion!