Sparkling, citrusy whiskey cocktails with less sugar for your New Year’s Eve countdown
New Year’s Eve calls for something in your glass worth raising at midnight. But a night of sugary mixers and syrupy punch can leave you feeling it on January 1st.
This year, we’re toasting with lighter whiskey cocktails made with fresh citrus, sparkling water and just a touch of pure maple syrup. They’re bright, bubbly and festive, and they let Belfour Rye Whiskey and Small Batch Straight Bourbon do the heavy lifting.
Here are five New Year’s Eve whiskey cocktails to make for your countdown.
1. Midnight Rye Spritz
If you want bubbles at midnight but you’d rather skip the sugary champagne cocktails, this is your drink. Belfour Rye Whiskey brings caramel and a little spice, lemon keeps it bright, and sparkling water gives it that celebratory fizz.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Belfour Rye Whiskey
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ¼ oz pure maple syrup
- 3 oz sparkling water
- Long lemon twist
- Ice
Directions
- Add rye, lemon juice and maple syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a tall flute or highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with a long lemon twist.
Why We Love It: It has all the sparkle of a champagne cocktail with a fraction of the sugar. Want a little bubbly anyway? Swap 1 oz of the sparkling water for a dry brut.
2. Pomegranate Bourbon Sparkler
Deep red, a little tart and made for a party, this pomegranate bourbon cocktail looks as good as it tastes.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Belfour Small Batch Straight Bourbon
- 1 oz 100% pomegranate juice
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ¼ oz pure maple syrup
- 2 to 3 oz sparkling water
- Pomegranate seeds
- Ice
Directions
- Add bourbon, pomegranate juice, lime juice and maple syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a coupe or wine glass.
- Top with sparkling water.
- Drop in a spoonful of pomegranate seeds.
Why We Love It: Pure pomegranate juice brings natural tartness without the added sugar of juice cocktails. The bourbon’s brown sugar and caramel notes round it out.
3. Grapefruit Rosemary Rye Fizz
Fresh grapefruit and rosemary make this one crisp, aromatic and easy to sip while you wait for the ball to drop.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Belfour Rye Whiskey
- 1.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- ¼ oz rosemary maple syrup
- 2 oz sparkling water
- Fresh rosemary sprig
- Grapefruit wedge
- Ice
Directions
- Add rye, grapefruit juice and rosemary maple syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig and grapefruit wedge.
Why We Love It: Grapefruit is naturally tart, so a small amount of maple syrup balances it out. Rosemary adds a wintery aroma every time you take a sip.
Tip: To make rosemary maple syrup, gently warm ¼ cup pure maple syrup with a sprig of fresh rosemary for a few minutes. Let it cool, then remove the rosemary.
4. The Midnight Manhattan
A lighter take on the classic Manhattan for the last toast of the year. We swap the sweet vermouth for dry vermouth and a small spoonful of maple syrup, so the rye stays front and center.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Belfour Rye Whiskey
- ½ oz dry vermouth
- 1 tsp pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Orange peel
- Ice
Directions
- Add rye, dry vermouth, maple syrup and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe.
- Express an orange peel over the glass and drop it in.
Why We Love It: Belfour Rye Whiskey’s sea salted caramel and dark chocolate notes shine in a spirit-forward cocktail like this. It’s smooth, elegant and perfect for midnight.
5. Countdown Ginger Bourbon Mule
A classic mule usually leans on sweet ginger beer. This version gets its kick from fresh ginger instead, with sparkling water for the fizz.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Belfour Small Batch Straight Bourbon
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ¼ oz pure maple syrup
- 3 thin slices fresh ginger
- 3 oz sparkling water
- Lime wheel
- Ice
Directions
- Muddle the ginger in a shaker.
- Add bourbon, lime juice and maple syrup with ice.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a copper mug or rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water and garnish with a lime wheel.
Why We Love It: Fresh ginger gives you all the spice of a mule without a can of sugary ginger beer.
How to Keep Your New Year’s Eve Cocktails on the Lighter Side
1. Sweeten with maple syrup, sparingly. Pure maple syrup brings warm, natural sweetness, and a little goes a long way. Start with ¼ oz per drink and adjust to taste.
2. Let bubbles do the work. Sparkling water gives you the festive fizz of a celebration drink without added sugar.
3. Use fresh citrus. Fresh lemon, lime and grapefruit taste brighter than bottled sour mix and skip the corn syrup.
4. Choose 100% juice. If a recipe calls for juice, look for pure, unsweetened versions like 100% pomegranate juice.
5. Pace yourself. Alternate cocktails with a glass of water or a sparkling water with citrus. Your January 1st self will thank you.
How to Set Up a New Year’s Eve Countdown Cocktail Bar
Hosting the countdown? Set up a simple whiskey bar so guests can mix their own and you can enjoy the party.
The whiskey
The mixers
- Pure maple syrup and rosemary maple syrup
- 100% pomegranate juice
- Lemons, limes and grapefruit
- Fresh ginger
- Plenty of sparkling water
- Aromatic bitters
The extras
- Pomegranate seeds, rosemary sprigs and citrus twists for garnish
- Coupes and flutes for the midnight toast
- Recipe cards so guests know what to make
For a bigger crowd, batch the non-carbonated parts of each recipe ahead of time and keep them in the fridge. Add ice and sparkling water when you serve.
And plan the ride home before the party starts. The NHTSA has more on why it matters, especially on New Year’s Eve.
Which Belfour Whiskey Should You Use?
- Rye Whiskey (94 proof): Sea salted caramel, brown sugar and a velvety finish make it great in spritzes, fizzes and a spirit-forward Manhattan.
- Small Batch Straight Bourbon (107 proof): Rich brown sugar, maple and caramel stand up to tart pomegranate and fresh ginger.
Not sure which you’ll like best? The Belfour 200ML Trio lets you try three Belfour whiskeys side by side. You can also read up on bourbon vs. rye whiskey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good whiskey cocktail for New Year’s Eve?
A sparkling whiskey cocktail like the Midnight Rye Spritz gives you festive bubbles for the countdown. For a classic, spirit-forward toast, try the Midnight Manhattan.
How can I make whiskey cocktails with less sugar?
Use fresh citrus instead of sour mix, sweeten with a small amount of pure maple syrup, choose 100% juices and top drinks with sparkling water instead of soda.
Can I make these cocktails ahead of time?
Yes. Mix the whiskey, juice and maple syrup in a pitcher and refrigerate. Shake or stir with ice and add sparkling water right before serving so the bubbles stay fresh.
What can I serve guests who aren’t drinking?
Most of these work as mocktails. Skip the whiskey and add a little extra sparkling water.
More Holiday Cocktails from Belfour Spirits
- Healthier Christmas Whiskey Cocktails
- 5 Healthier Thanksgiving Cocktails
- Cranberry Whiskey Sour
- Healthier Low-Sugar Whiskey Drinks
- Shop Belfour Spirits
Here’s to a great year ahead. Cheers from the Belfour family!
Must be 21+ to enjoy. Please drink responsibly. Learn more at Responsibility.org.