7 Great Vegan Cocktails for the New Year

2023 is almost upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with friends and family. However, differing tastes and diets can make choosing a drinks menu for your gathering much more difficult. To make planning easier, below are seven great vegan cocktails for the new year that everyone will love.

1. Whipped Creamsicle

This nostalgic treat is sure to hit the spot. Using vanilla coconut milk helps to add a bit of sweetness without the extra sugar, and frozen mango helps to thicken the drink without disrupting the orange flavor. Better yet, you can make this a virgin cocktail by eliminating the vodka or rum. To make 2 servings of this drink you’ll need;

• 1 ¼ cups of orange juice
• ½ cup vanilla coconut milk
• 1 ½ cup ice cubes
• ¼ cup frozen mango
• 2 ounces vodka (vanilla or orange is best) or rum
• 2 orange slices to garnish

Combine all ingredients apart from orange slices in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into two glasses, garnish with an orange slice and serve immediately. For a shot version, triple the alcohol amount, pour into shot glasses, and top with whipped coconut cream and orange zest.

2. Pomegranate Margarita

This festive twist on a margarita is the perfect drink for ringing in the new year. Elegant, sophisticated, and delicious, it is a must for your next event. To make it you’ll need;

• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• Lime wedge
• 1 cup chilled white tequila
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• ½ cup lime juice
• ¼ cup triple sec
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• Pomegranate seeds and lime slices for garnish

First, start by prepping your serving glasses. Combine lime zest and salt on a plate, then rub the rims of 6 glasses with the lime wedge and dip into your lime zest and salt mix. Combine tequila, pomegranate juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and triple sec in a pitcher. Fill glasses with ice, and top with 1/2 cup of margarita mix. Garnish each glass with a lime wedge and pomegranate seeds. This is a great option for parties as you can make the margarita mix up to two days ahead, and it is easy to double or triple the recipe.

3. Classic Mai Tai

This easy-to-make cocktail, is made from two types of rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, and almond syrup. Plus, Mai Tai’s are traditionally a tropical drink, bringing some warmth to any party. Here’s everything you’ll need;

• Crushed ice
• 1 ½ ounces white rum
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• ½ ounce orange liqueur or 1 tablespoon of orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orgeat
• ½ ounce dark rum
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Edible flowers or mint to garnish

Start by filling a glass with crushed ice. Add ice, white rum, lime juice, orange liqueur or juice, and orgeat to a shaker. Cover a shake, then strain into the prepared glass. Gently pour dark rum over the back of a spoon to the top of the drink. Dust with cinnamon and garnish.

4. Good Farmer

This bourbon spiked lemonade is a great cocktail, and lovely at the end of a long day.  Made in a pitcher this is great for sharing. Below is everything you’ll need to make this delicious cocktail.

• 3 sprigs of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• 3 cups of lemonade
• ½ cup bourbon
• Lemon slices

Start by mashing the mint in the bottom of your pitcher, then add crushed ice, lemonade, bourbon and lemon slices. Mix well and serve.

5. Classic Negroni

This Italian cocktail is a classic. Plus, it is easy to customize depending on what you prefer. Below is everything you need for a single serving;

• 1 ounce Gin (or for a less traditional option rye whiskey)
• 1 ounce Campari
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• Ice
• Orange twist garnish

Using a mixing glass, combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, then add ice and mix until chilled. Strain into a serving glass filled with ice.

6. Maple Whiskey Sour

Maple, citrus, and whiskey combine to create a great cocktail for everyone to enjoy. An addition of whipped aquafaba, creates a lovely foam topping. Below is everything you’ll need;

• 1 ½ ounces whiskey
• 2 tablespoons lemon or sour citrus juice
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 3 drops of citrus bitters
• Ice
• Whipped aquafaba (in place of egg whites) and orange peel for garnish

Combine whisky, juice, maple syrup, and bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled, and pour into a chilled glass. Top with whipped aquafaba and orange peel.

7. Old Fashioned

This timeless cocktail is a must for any event. Below is everything you need;

• 1 sugar cube
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• 1 ½ ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
• I cubes
• Orange peel

Add your sugar cube to your serving glass and drop the bitters on top and mash. Add your bourbon or rye whiskey and ice cubes then stir well. Garnish with orange peel.

These seven great vegan cocktails are perfect to help ring in the new year, no matter what sort of event you are hosting.