A Non-Alcoholic New Year’s Eve: Drinks for the Midnight Toast and Things to Do
Non-alcoholic sparkling for the midnight toast, how much to buy, three easy drinks, and ideas for a New Year's Eve without alcohol.
For a New Year’s toast without alcohol, non-alcoholic sparkling wine is the classic: it pops, it foams, and it looks the part in a flute at midnight. Sparkling tea and canned non-alcoholic cocktails round out a party. Here are our picks for the toast, how much to buy, three easy drinks for the night, and ideas for a New Year’s Eve that doesn’t revolve around drinking.
Our picks for the midnight toast
- 0.0%
- Never Alcoholized
- France
- 0.0%
- Dealcoholized
- Germany
- 0.0%
- Never Alcoholized
- United States
- 0.0%
- Never Alcoholized
- United States
See all non-alcoholic sparkling wine →
For more bottles, see the best non-alcoholic sparkling wines.
How much to buy
A 750 ml bottle pours about six 4 oz flutes. Plan one toast per guest, plus a little extra for a second round.
| Guests | For the toast | For the evening |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 half bottle | 1 bottle |
| 6 | 1 bottle | 2 bottles |
| 12 | 2 bottles | 4 bottles |
| 24 | 4 bottles | 8 bottles, or a case |
Hosting just a few? Half bottles and minis mean nothing goes flat after midnight.
Getting the toast right
- Chill it well: at least three hours in the fridge, or 30 minutes in a bucket of ice and water.
- Open it quietly: hold the cork, turn the bottle, and let the pressure ease out with a sigh rather than a pop across the room.
- Pour in two goes: fill each flute a third, let the foam settle, then top up.
- Pour before the countdown: start at about 11:50 so every glass is full at midnight.
Three easy drinks for the night
Pomegranate sparkler
Non-alcoholic sparkling wine over a spoonful of pomegranate seeds, with a twist of orange.
Bittersweet spritz
Wilfred’s with two parts tonic over ice in a wine glass, as Wilfred’s serves it, with an orange slice.
Sparkling tea and citrus
Chilled TÖST or another sparkling tea in a flute, with a strip of lemon peel.
Things to do on New Year’s Eve
- Host a long dinner. Several small courses carry you to midnight, with a different drink for each.
- Game night. Board games, cards or a quiz, with a pot of snacks and a toast at the end.
- Count down around the world. Toast each time zone’s midnight on a livestream, from Sydney to New York.
- Movie marathon. Pick a theme, make popcorn and stop for the ball drop.
- Write it down. Swap a resolution for a few lines on the best moments of the year and what you want more of.
- Go out early. A first-light walk or hike on New Year’s Day is easier with a clear head.
Driving home?
If you’re the designated driver, a 0.0% drink removes any doubt. Our guide to what breath tests can pick up explains why. Hosting? Put a non-alcoholic sparkling bottle on ice next to the regular one, so every guest has a glass at midnight.
After midnight: Dry January
Planning a dry January? Our Dry January guide covers what to drink and what to stock up on. For the parties before New Year’s, see celebrating holiday parties alcohol-free.
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Common questions
What can I toast with on New Year's Eve without alcohol?
Non-alcoholic sparkling wine is the classic: it pops and foams like Champagne. Sparkling tea, sparkling juice and canned non-alcoholic cocktails are good alternatives.
How many bottles of sparkling do I need for a New Year's toast?
A 750 ml bottle pours about six 4 oz flutes. Plan one bottle per six guests for the toast, and double it for the evening.
What are fun things to do on New Year's Eve without drinking?
Host a long dinner, have a game night, count down with each time zone on a livestream, run a movie marathon, or plan a first-light walk on New Year's Day.
Is non-alcoholic champagne good for a toast?
Yes. Non-alcoholic sparkling wine is made as wine, so it has real bubbles and a dry, festive taste. Chill it well and pour it in two goes to keep the foam down.
