5 perfect party drinks for New Year's Eve

It's traditional to ring in the new year with drink in hand along alongside friends and loved ones. Instead of plain Champagne and mediocre mixed drinks to detract from an otherwise exciting event, here are some delicious and energizing drinks that will turn up the flavour of any New Year's Eve party.

Blood orange, ruby red grapefruit, tangy tangerine or key lime – a splash of citrus juice added to Champagne instantly turns the classic New Year's Eve party drink into a lighter, sweeter and more refreshing beverage.

• Mix in a couple of drops of cherry juice or sour cherry syrup, and you'll get a bright-red sparkling elixir that will have guests lining up all night long for more!

New Year's Eve is a winter holiday that calls for some piping-hot, alcohol-infused drink like spiced whiskey cider.

• Simply simmer some apple juice on the stove with cinnamon, cloves, allspice and star anise. Pour in straight whiskey right at the end.

If you keep the spiced whiskey cider in a heat-retaining container, like a coffee thermos, it will stay hot and invigorating until way after midnight.

With the amount of antioxidants this tasty concoction packs, you can almost convince your guests that it's a healthy choice.

• Just mix cranberry juice cocktail with fresh pomegranate juice over ice in a large punch bowl. Add a bottle of rum to the juice mixture and voilà! A punch your guests will remember for year to come.
• To give the punch even more zip, add fresh mint leaves to it.

Ring in the new year with a glass of sweet coconut-flavoured "snow" in your hand. It's the perfect wintertime cocktail.

• Pour cream of coconut and vanilla vodka over ice in a martini shaker. Vigorously shake the concoction to get a nice, thick consistency. Then, add half-and-half to the mix for a creamier experience.

Makes sure you prepare extra for your guests, as this martini with a twist is sure to go fast.

Turn a pot of "regular" hot coffee into an instant hit simply by adding some cocoa and peppermint liquor to each cup after you've poured the coffee.

• This hot and energizing drink for a New Year's Eve party to remember will go down smoothly while keeping the celebration going late into the night.

These twists on the usual New Year's Eve beverage can help make the celebrations even more festive. But remember, if you plan to drink, always stay within the legal limits and never drink and drive.