The Ultimate New Year's Eve Menu

New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to spend with family and friends. But it can be difficult to host everyone when you don’t have a New Year’s Eve menu.

Luckily, we’ve done all the work for you, as below is an amazing New Year’s Eve menu that will satisfy any guest you have over this holiday season. It’s filled with variety, so you can guarantee there will be something for everyone.

Today I am sharing the ULTIMATE New Year’s Eve Menu with 18 recipes for drinks, appetizers, and dessert. Whether you are hosting friends and family for New Year’s, or you are attending parties, we have everything from drinks to appetizers all right here in one place. These recipes will satisfy everyone. This really is the ultimate menu for your NYE party

What Do You Serve on the New Year’s Eve Menu at a Party?

Planning a New Year’s Eve party is always fun, after all, who wouldn’t want to start off a brand new year surrounded by family and friends? When you have a New Year’s Eve party one thing that is absolutely essential is the food, so before you send out the invites, it’s time to look at what you are planning to serve for your party.

Generally, you want to serve foods that are small, easy to eat, and not too messy. This usually means you will be serving mostly appetizers or other small bite sized snacks.

Can’t think of any ideas for your New Year’s Eve menu?

Below are some of the best foods to serve at a New Year’s Eve party:

Steak Bites
Cheese Cubes
Stuffed Mushrooms
Spinach Dip
Baked Brie
Toasted Ravioli
Mini Pastries
Antipasto
Shrimp Cocktail
Chicken Satay
Cheese Dip
Egg Rolls

Of course, these aren’t the only foods you can include in your New Year’s Eve menu, but they are some recipes you should consider. If you have other recipes in mind, but they seem too big, try to think of a way to make them bite size, you may just be surprised with what you come up with.

What Drinks Do You Serve on New Year’s?

Besides just food, your guests will absolutely need something to sip on as the night goes by. With drinks, you have a couple of options, as you could go with something simple, or try to make something more complicated if you have time.

Here are some drink ideas for your New Year’s Eve menu:

Champagne
Gin and Tonic
Mimosas
Moscow Mules
Frozen Margaritas
Chocolate Martini’s
Sugar Cookie Martini’s
Mulled Wine
Cider

Depending on where you live you may want to consider making warmer drinks to keep your guests from getting chilled. But those in a warmer climate will definitely want to have some ice cold champagne and maybe some frozen margaritas on hand.

What Time Should a New Year’s Eve Party Start?

You’ve taken all this time to plan and cook the perfect New Year’s Eve menu. For this reason, you’ll want to start the party at a time of day where people are still hungry and will snack as they drink.

Most New Year’s Eve house parties start between 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. If the party is taking place in a bar, or other location, it is more common to start the party a little later around 9:00 pm. Almost all New Year’s Eve parties start by 9:00 pm.

What Do You Do at a New Year’s Eve Party?

At most New Year’s Eve parties, guests are content to chat with one another and snack on the delicious New Year’s Eve menu you’ve designed. If you are afraid that won’t be enough, there are some New Year’s Eve games you can set up for your guests.

Two Truths and a Lie
Cotton Ball Race
Pass the Hat
Guess The Song

You can also pull out a deck of cards (or two) so your guests can engage in card games with one another if they please. It is also a good idea to have music playing in the background as people chat and play games.

How to Design a New Year’s Eve Menu

All hyped up for your New Year’s Eve party? Now it’s time to talk about the menu. Although the following list is the most complete New Year’s Eve menu you’ll find, it may not quite be perfect for your family and friends. It also might be too much for you to prepare, and you may need to cut a few recipes out.

As you are going through the menu, there are some things you need to consider when selecting which recipes you will make this holiday season.

Dietary Restrictions

First and foremost, if anyone at your party will have dietary restrictions, you will need to consider all recipes carefully. Many recipes can be tailored to meet most dietary restrictions(with non-dairy milk, gluten free flour etc.), but there are some that cannot be changed and they will have to be left out.

How Many Guests You Have

Smaller parties will require less food, while larger parties will require more. A good rule of thumb is to have at least one appetizer or dessert for each person that is attending your party. If you are having a very small party, it is recommended to choose at least 5 items to serve.

How the Food Will Be Served

There are three types of appetizers, those served hot, those served on ice, and those served cold. It is easy to serve cold appetizers, as you can leave them out on the table and allow everyone to snack as they please.

When your menu contains a fair number of hot appetizers however, you will need a plan to keep these appetizers hot. A hot plate will work for some, and a crock pot can work for others. But if you only have one crock pot on hand this will limit the number of hot appetizers you can make.

Iced appetizers can be ever tricker than hot appetizers, as not keeping them iced could cause a health problem (such as shrimp cocktail or ice cream) be sure you have a plan of where you will be putting any iced appetizers before you commit to making one.

Have an idea what you’ve got to work with? Then keep reading to start creating your New Year’s Eve menu.

The Perfect New Year’s Eve Party Menu That Everyone Will Enjoy

1. Cranberry Daiquiri

There is no better way to welcome people to your party than with a nice welcome beverage. Craft this Cranberry Daiquiri by Lemons for Lulu and you’ll have your guests raving about your menu the moment they walk in the door.

The drink recipe calls for it to be made chilled (but not iced) but you can certainly make this a frozen beverage if you are up for the challenge.

2. Midori Sour

Looking for a drink that’s a little less complicated for your New Year’s Eve menu? Try this Midori Sour recipe by Mom on Timeout.

It only has four ingredients, not counting the garnish, and it can be ready in just three minutes. The recipe is for a single drink, so for those with a large guest list, you’ll probably want to make a pitcher of this in advance.

3. Champagne Punch Bellini

Bellini’s are drinks that are typically associated with brunch and breakfast. But that’s because people have never tried this version.

Concoct this Champagne Punch Bellini by Crazy for Crust which is made by mixing Champagne with raspberry sorbet and some frozen raspberries for garnish. No mixing is needed.

just put some sorbet in the bottom of each glass, pour in the champagne, add the garnish and this beverage can be served.

4. Cranberry Brie Bites

Besides just beverages, it’s important that your guests have something to fill their stomachs. Pass around these Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites from Mom on Time Out at your event and guests are sure to ask how you made them.

They do need to be baked and are best served warm, meaning you’ll want to pass these out immediately after you finish cooking them or have a hot plate at the ready.

5. Mini Tortellini Kabobs

Antipasto is an appetizer plate filled with meat, cheeses, olives, and sometimes tortellini. While these items are all tasty, this isn’t the most fun appetizer to serve at a New Year’s Eve party.

Instead, use this recipe for Mini Tortellini Kabobs to make a revamped version of the antipasto plate that is bite sized and served in individual portions. Not only will this make them easier to be passed around but it will keep your appetizer table a bit cleaner too.

6. Smokey Almond Cream Cheese Bites

When it comes to appetizers, you will frequently find fried ingredients and heavy cheese dips. While these are delicious, it can be difficult to stay up until midnight when your stomach is feeling weighed down.

Put together these Smokey Almond Cream Cheese Bites from Food Charlatan that still has all the ingredients you know and love, but in a much lighter format that will keep you going all night long.

7. Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a classic appetizer that can be found on New Year’s Eve menus all across the country. But when you want something a little unique, try this spin of Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta from Lemons for Lulu.

It still has all the parts of a traditional Bruschetta that you know and love, with added peppers and feta cheese for a new take. These can be served cold, so there’s no excuse not to make them.

8. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Teriyaki Bites

Vegetarians at your New Year’s Eve party better watch out, because these Bacon Wrapped Chicken Teriyaki Bites by Mom on Time Out are simply to die for.

You’ll be cubing chicken, putting it on skewers with pineapple, then wrapping the chicken in bacon. The pineapple juice will combine well with the bacon, creating a salty sweet mix that will have you standing by the snack table all night.

9. Crock Pot Crab Dip

What’s a New Year’s Eve menu without at least one type of dip? Make this Crock Pot Crab Dip from Lemon Tree Dwelling, which only takes a few minutes to mix, and can be left in the crock pot all night on warm.

All you have to do is mix some cream cheese, mayo, crab meat, white wine, and some spices. Pair it with crackers, bread, or veggies, after it’s warm and you can’t go wrong with this appetizer on your New Year’s Eve menu.

10. Bacon Ricotta Crostini

While you’re making the Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta’s, make some extra of the crispy breads to make these Bacon Ricotta Crostini’s from The Food Charlatan.

It’s the same concept, but rather than vegetables and olive oil on the crostini, you’ll be swapping it out for feta and some crisp bacon. Although the bacon will initially be cooked, these can be served cold, and can definitely share a plate with your Bruschettas.

11. Turkey Cocktail Meatballs

No New Year’s Eve menu is complete without cocktail meatballs. Follow this recipe by Lemon Tree Dwelling to make delicious turkey cocktail meatballs that you can serve at your event.

They do take some time to prepare, but you can make them the morning of your party and keep them warm in the slow cooker until you are ready to serve them. Don’t forget to make some extra sauce on the side for dipping.

12. Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse

Beyond just savory and salty snacks, your New Year’s Eve menu will be needing something sweet.

Take a look at this recipe for Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse by Lemon Tree Dwelling which combines a sweet chocolate mousse with the smooth taste of Bailey’s liquor for a treat you won’t be able to pass up.

Make this in advance in small separate cups and leave them in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them.

13. Tiramisu Pudding Shots

Desserts can sometimes be difficult to add to your New Year’s Eve menu because they are a bit messy and require silverware which can make your setup that much more complicated.

For those who want to serve something sweet, but not have to have silverware out, make these Tiramisu Pudding Shots by Lemons For Lulu. They’re made with a combination of coffee, Kahlua, and pudding, so they’ll pack a punch in more ways than one.

14. Caramel Apple Grapes

One thing that draws people to appetizers is how small and easy they are to eat in one bite.

Therefore, when you want to serve something like caramel apples, but don’t know how to make it smaller, try switching it up a bit, like in this recipe for Caramel Apple Grapes by Bellyful.

You will be dipping grapes in caramel, then coating them in nuts, which will make them look just like a caramel apple, but be the right size for a single bite.

15. Strawberries and Cream Appetizer

There are a million things you can put on a cracker and make an appetizer out of it, but none are quite as good as this. Try these Strawberries and Cream Crackers by The Food Charlatan this year and you won’t be sorry.

All you need is crackers, cream cheese, strawberries, and honey, and you’ve got yourself something that can be passed around, set on a table, or served as dessert.

16. Eggnog Cake Balls

Eggnog Cake Balls by Bellyfull is not a recipe for the faint of heart. They take about an hour to make, an hour to cook, and 4 hours to set.

The good news is, you can make these up to a week in advance for your party, leaving them in the freezer until you are about ready to serve them, and no one will know the difference.

You can use chocolate, or vanilla candy coating depending on your tastes, or get a little crazy and do some of both.

17. Oreo Truffle Strawberries

The next recipe on the list is another that will take some culinary skills to master if you want to feature it on your New Year’s Eve menu this year.

These are Oreo Truffle Strawberries by Crazy For Crust, and they involve hollowing out a strawberry and filling it with crushed Oreos and cream cheese. You will then dip them in chocolate and let them chill for a few hours.

You can make these in advance, but not too far in advance, otherwise, the strawberries won’t stay fresh.

18. No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Is your oven a bit busy with all the other great appetizers and desserts on this list? Then grab this recipe for No Bake Peanut Butter Bars from Crazy For Crust.

You’ll only need a few ingredients, a mixing bowl, and about 10 minutes of time and you’ll make enough dessert for 16 people. Well, you may want to double the recipe actually, because these are so delicious that your guests will probably want two each.

New Year’s Eve Menu FAQS

What Are Traditional New Year’s Eve Menu Foods?

In the United States, pork dishes, black eyed peas, and collard greens are considered to be New Year’s foods.

How Many Appetizers Should You Serve on Your New Year’s Eve Menu?

The rule of thumb is to have one dish for every person you plan to serve at your party. Therefore if you have 12 guests coming, you should prepare 12 different appetizers of desserts.

What is the Most Popular New Year’s Appetizer?

The most popular New Year’s appetizer varies by region, but in the United States, spinach and artichoke dip was by far the favorite New Year’s Eve dish.

Where Should You Host a New Year’s Eve Party

Most people choose to hose a New Year’s Eve party at their home, allowing them to make and serve their favorite foods. You can also host a New Year’s Eve party at a bar, or rent out space at a hotel or conference hall.

How Do You Have a Good New Year’s Eve Party?

You have a good New Year’s Eve party by inviting friends you like spending time with, making lots of delicious food, and toasting with drinks at midnight.

New Year’s Eve Menu Conclusion

Ready to ring in an amazing new year? The recipes in this article can help, whether you decide to make every dish on this list, or simply stick to a few staples, you can’t go wrong when you make this your New Year’s Eve menu. So no matter where you live, or who you are inviting, it’s time to start making a list of ingredients and cooking your way to the New Year.