New Year’s is a holiday of contradictions. There’s the conclusion of one year, the beginning of another. There’s the intense partying and clinking glasses on New Year’s Eve. But then, the next day you have to make begrudging good on the resolution to be healthier as you go into the coming year. How do you line up the right strategies for both popping bottles on New Year’s Eve and a cleanse for Dry January? TABLE has the answers for you with our Ultimate Guide to New Year’s, featuring a variety of drinks, recipes, and strategies to ring in the new year with good times and good intentions.
TABLE Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to New Years
Foods and Recipes to Try
Try These New Years Good Luck Foods from Around the World
There are new year’s dishes from cultures everywhere, and we’ve got a conglomeration of ideas from grapes from Latin America to black eyed peas in the American South (pictured above from Chef Jackie Page). New Year’s can be an exciting time to try out a new tradition, or to look to your family and heritage for a way to celebrate.
Start the New Year with These Beef Recipes
Beef is a symbol of strength, prosperity, and good fortune. It’s a perfect and filling New Year’s Eve meal, especially if you’re planning on going to bed a little early and just waking up on January 1. One of those beef recipes and a glass of Cabernet will send you in to a satisfied slumber.
Lucky Long Noodles
This recipe from Chef Roger Li comes from the East Asian tradition of longevity noodles for good health and long life. You can enjoy them any time of year, but they’re especially auspicious for the new year.
8 Hors d’Oeuvres Recipes for a Tasty New Year’s Eve Party
Sometimes you don’t want a big meal. Hors d’oeuvres are a great way to keep the party going without having to go through all the brouhaha of cooking for a big group of guests. An hors d’oeuvre also doesn’t mean skimping on the presentation—smaller dishes actually offer more opportunities for creativity (like the Pear and Goat Cheese bites above).
Healthy Recipes to Stay on Track During the Holidays
Maybe you want to get in on your New Year’s resolution early. These healthy recipes make for a nice New Year’s Day brunch, or even a dinner the night of to get in a strong wellness mindset for the months ahead. Plus, none of these are just boring salads, they’re full-size meals with actual health research behind their ingredients, like this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad.
Drinks to Impress
Pick the Best Champagne to Celebrate New Year’s and Beyond
Champagne has become ubiquitous with the good life and decadence, but for one night a year, bars and homes around the world pop open bottles to celebrate a new beginning. But picking the right Champagne, especially for someone who knows their stuff, can be a challenge. Luckily, we’ve compiled recommendations to help. (Note the lovely Rolf Glass stemware in the photo!)
Impress With These Sparkling Wines for Your Hostess Gift
So, you don’t want to break the bank with Champagne, but you still want to feel festive. Good news! There are a ton of sparkling wines out there that still make great hostess gifts or festive drinks for the holiday season.
Good Luck Sparkling Pomegranate Cosmo Cocktail
This cocktail combines some globally recognized good luck ingredients into one celebratory drink. You can shake this up any time of year, but it’s best for a New Year’s party. Also, the Cosmo is just the best party cocktail. It can be flirty or classy.
Snowbirds
The Snowbirds from the bartenders at Fine Wines & Good Spirits blends coconut water, a dash of pineapple juice, and a garnish of coconut flakes over sparkling wine. You can make this with champagne or a sparkling wine of your choice from the above guides—no matter what, just don’t forget the coconut flake garnish that gives it its final touch.
Brown Sugar Cider Manhattan
This satisfying cocktail with a brown sugar rim will warm up even the coldest nights. Evan Williams Black Label gives this drink its smoky character, and you’ll want to be making it all through the winter, even during the January blues.
Cranberry Rosemary Spritz
The Cranberry Rosemary Spritz is a gorgeous, easy-to-make drink that will become the star of the show at any gathering. It proves that a spritz isn’t just a summer cocktail, so if you’re missing Aperol, this one is for you. Perfect for toasting as the ball drops!
And, round the year out with good intentions…
8 Healthy New Years Resolutions
See what our New Year’s resolutions were at TABLE and get some ideas on how to start the year off healthy. We hope this coming year brings you good luck, good food, good drinks, and good company. We wouldn’t want it any other way.
Story by Emma Riva
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