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Your New Year’s Sips & Apps Survival Kit

By Crystal Baldwin

As we ring in 2026, the best way to celebrate is with "effortless entertaining"—a night focused on small bites and festive drinks that keep you out of the kitchen and into the conversation. Whether you are hosting a formal gala or a cozy midnight countdown, here is your quick guide to the ultimate New Year’s sips and apps.

The "Apps": Small Bites with Big Flavor

For 2026, the trend is moving toward grazing tables and make-ahead appetizers that feel luxe but require minimal last-minute prep. My favorites are the make-ahead recipes that I can put together the day before and only worry about getting dressed and making cocktails the day of. Here are some good ones to try this year:

Cowboy Caviar
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Harissa Deviled Eggs
Keto Sausage Puffs
Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
Chili Garlic Fried Cauliflower
Whipped Ricotta with Olives & Roasted Red Peppers
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Lemon-Horseradish Aioli

For these recipes and more check out the Delish Link Below

Need Some Healthy Recipe Ideas?

Here are some great ones from Delish! They put together 55 recipes for you to pick from...Everything from Melon Prosciutto skewers, Whipped Ricotta with Olives & Roasted Red Peppers (looks fancy but easy to make ahead), Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Lemon-Horseradish Aioli to Harissa Deviled Eggs. You will be sure to find something everyone will love in this healthy list!

Grab Delish Recipes Here

I also love this list from Eating Well which includes a list of "16, 2-Step appetizers perfect for a New Years Celebration". Besides being pretty darn easy (there is a few that might require a little more work), these simple recipes are unique and delicious and will leave your guests thinking "why didn't I think of that"?

Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Toast
Easy Black Bean Dip
Savory Date & Pistachio Bites
Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan Bites
Baked Brie with Blackberry Jam
Dill Pickle Dip

Grab the Eating Well Recipes Here

The "Sips": Cocktail & Mocktail ideas

Ring in 2026 with these simple, crowd-pleasing New Year’s Eve "sips." Whether you want a sophisticated Mocktail or a refreshing Cocktail, these recipes require minimal prep so you can focus on the countdown.

Sparkling Cocktails

Pomegranate Mimosa: A festive twist on a classic. Fill a champagne flute halfway with champagne or sparkling wine and top with pomegranate juice. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig. (For a mocktail version use Joyus NA Sparkling White Wine) Add some edible shimmering flower elixirs for extra sparkle!
Raspberry Champagne Float: This doubles as a drink and a light dessert. Place one small scoop of raspberry sorbet into a flute and fill to the top with pink champagne or Prosecco. (make it a mocktail with sparkling Joyus NA White or NA Sparkling Rosé)
Classic French 75: For a sophisticated touch, shake 3 tbsp gin and 1 tbsp simple syrup with ice. Strain into a glass and top with sparkling wine and a lemon peel. (make into a mocktail with Ritual Zero-proof Gin -Available in the boutique only, & Joyus White Sparkling Wine)

Paloma: add 2 ounces blanco tequila, 1/2 ounce fresh lime, 1/4 ounce simple syrup, 2-3 ounces canned grapefruit soda, 2 ounces sparkling water and a grapefruit wedge to garnish.(or use our Canned Paloma Mocktail)
3-Minute Pineapple Ginger Sparkler: Combine equal parts pineapple juice and our canned ginger beer in a glass, then top with chilled champagne. Garnish with cranberries for a pop of color (Use sparkling Joyus NA White Wine in place of the champagne for a mocktail version)
Gold Shimmery Champagne: Add 1-2 shots of edible shimmer honeysuckle elixir to a bottle of St-Germain elderflower liqueur and stir until shimmering. Pour 3/4 oz of the mixture into a glass and top with bubbly (for mocktail version use Joyus NA Sparkling White Wine or for a pink version use Joyus sparkling NA rosé and add Edible Shimmer Rose Elixir- my favorite combination)!

Sophisticated Mocktail recipes:

NA Negroni with Flambéed Rosemary

This mocktail offers a complex, bittersweet flavor profile that mimics the classic Negroni, elevated by the aromatic presentation of flambéed rosemary.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounce Ritual zero-proof Aperitif alternative (available in the boutique)
1 1/2 ounce Ritual zero-proof Gin alternative ((available in the boutique)
Splash tonic water or herbal soda optional
Ice cubes
Orange slices for garnish
1 sprig of fresh rosemary

Directions:

Place the non-alcoholic alternatives, and tonic water or herbal soda in a mixing glass with ice and stir well.
Strain the mixture into a tumbler glass filled with fresh ice.
Add orange slices to the glass.
Carefully flambé a sprig of rosemary (light the tip briefly) to release its oils, then add it to the glass as a fragrant garnish

Non-alcoholic Cosmo

Ingredients:

2 ounces Ritual Gin Alternative (available in the boutique)
1/2 Ounce Cranberry Juice
1/2 Ounce Lime Juice
1/4 ounce Simple Syrup
Garnish with Lime Wedge

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice
Shake for 10-15 Seconds
Strain into a coupe glass
Garnish with a lime wheel

Super Simple Pour & Serve Mocktails with our canned, Award winning Strongwater mocktails

Paloma- Pour the canned paloma mocktail over ice, add a lime twist

Ginger beer- Pour the canned ginger beer mocktail over ice, add a lime twist

Aperitif Spritz- Pour the canned aperitif spritz mocktail over ice, add a orange wedge

Warm Sips for Chilly Nights

Skip the complicated bar setup this New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re craving the nostalgic, cinnamon-laced comfort of a Hot Apple Toddy or the bold, fruit-forward complexity of our Spiced Wine, Lush makes hosting effortless.

Just add your favorite spirit to a heated pitcher, and let the aromatic spices do the magic. It’s high-end mixology with zero stress—so you can actually enjoy the countdown.

Warm Spiced Wine Mixer

For a Cocktail add 1 canister of Lush Spiced wine mix, 1 bottle of red wine, 1 bottle of water, heat & serve.

For a Mocktail Version just swap out the wine for Joyus NA Cabernet Sauvignon (available in the boutique only). Garnish with some orange & lemon slices, cinnamon sticks and star anise (optional)

Hot Apple Toddy

Perfect for a cold night, just add 1 canister of Lush Hot Apple Toddy Mix, 1 bottle of white wine, 1 bottle of water, a little rum or whisky- optional, heat and serve!

For a Mocktail version, substitute the white wine for Joyus NA White or NA Sparkling Rosé). Also add a little Ritual Zero-proof Rum or Whisky-optional (available in the boutique only)
Note- this is delicious as a frozen slushie- super refreshing! We have slushie pouches in the boutique, grab some & make slushies to hand out at your party for a cold, refreshing option.

Need More Ideas? Not sure how to make Simple Syrup? Want to make Sugared Cranberries? Want to make Snowman Snow Globe Drinks?

Check out these previous Blog Posts

8 New Years Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes, how to make simple syrup & Sugared Cranberries

6 Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes for New Years

How to make Snowman Snow Globe Drinks

Have a very Happy New Years and please drink responsibly!

For Free Rides on New Years, make a plan, have a Designated Driver, stay over or use ride shares ...here are some options:

FREE RIDES RTD

CDOT

MADD (Mothers against Drunk Drivers)

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