Oh, Champagne, how I love you—and how difficult you are to drink all night long. Palates fade, and your second (or third) glass starts feeling less sparkly and more sticky-sweet. It's a sacred tradition to begin and end any New Year's Eve party with bubbles, but it's tricky to keep a cocktail party going without … well, cocktails.
Whether you're hosting or bringing drinks to the party, these recipes will keep a crowd happy through the final countdown. Bonus: They're generally cheaper to serve than decent champers, too.
Ginger Beer Rosemary Rye Cooler
A simple recipe, a fancy rosemary garnish, and a reasonable ratio of mixer to alcohol: This new spin on a classic Caribbean rum drink from I Sugar Coat It might be the perfect party drink.
Roasted Cranberry Champagne Sparkler
One way to change the experience of drinking bubbly is to add some new flavors and turn it into a mixed drink. (It's also a great budget option.) Something New for Dinner cooks cranberries with a little sugar and orange zest to transform the classic Champagne cocktail into a glamorously wintry sipper.
Pomegranate Party Punch
This versatile recipe from Cravings of a Lunatic can use either sparkling wine or lemon-lime soda—alcohol or no, it's light and refreshing.
The Commodore
This retro bourbon concoction from Midcentury Menu dates from 1977—I'm not sure if the name is a tribute to yacht rock or personal computing, but it's excellent either way. (Check out her full list of vintage cocktails for New Year's Eve; they're all fascinating!).
The Green Lake
Megan served this rye-based cocktail at her wedding a few months ago. Get the recipe from A Sweet Spoonful (and look at the gorgeous wedding photos in the post while you're there).
Sparkling Blue Mocktail
Why must nondrinkers always be condemned to a can of soda … or sparkling cider, at best? Mix up a batch of these vivid blue nonalcoholic refreshments (based on Hawaiian punch!) from What's Cooking, Love?—and suddenly everyone gets an Instagram-worthy toasting opportunity.
4-Ingredient Mango Sour
There's something about the color of this easy vodka cocktail from Chew Out Loud that is just cheery—and it's really easy to mix, too.
Cranberry Rum Punch
This easily doubled (or tripled) recipe from New Hippie Kitchen is a cinch to make, but don't be fooled: With rum and amaretto, it packs a serious punch (pun intended; it'll be funny after two of these).
Here's to a happy New Year's party without getting too—"intoxerated," "jubilated," "squirrely," or "tired and emotional." (Check out the amusing list of synonyms for "drunk" at Leite's Culinaria.)