Just like we welcome the secular New Year with parties and celebrations on January 1st, why not bring that same festive spirit to Rosh Hashanah? The Jewish New Year is a time for joy and reflection, and there’s no reason it can’t also be fun and full of life!
If you’re ready to add a modern twist to your holiday traditions, Rosh Hashanah cocktails are a delightful way to enhance the festivities. Incorporate the rich, symbolic flavors of the season — like apple, pomegranate, fig, and honey — into your drinks to make your celebrations even more special.
Read more: Hosting Rosh Hashanah for the first time? Here’s everything you need to know
Whether you’re aiming to impress your guests or just want a break from the usual Manischewitz (and who can blame you?), here are five irresistible Rosh Hashanah cocktails you can easily whip up at home to toast to a sweet New Year! Cheers to new beginnings, delicious drinks, and festive fun!
Check out Unpacked’s Rosh Hashanah holiday guide, and roundups of the best round challah and dessert recipes
Vodka
- Fig Martini from Crate and Barrel — Honey & thyme-infused fig martini
- Honeycrisp Vodka Sour from Drinking with Chickens — Honeycrisp apple, vodka, lemon, and honey syrup with a foamy finish.
- Apple & Honey Mule from the Forest Feast– Honey-infused vodka with cider and ginger beer, garnished with apple slices.
- Honeycrisp Crush by How Sweet Eats – Vodka, club soda, apple cider, and honey drizzle.
- Pomegranate Moscow Mule from the Cookie Rookie — Holiday mule with vodka, ginger beer, and pomegranate juice.
- Fig & Vanilla Vodka Martini by Simmer and Sage – Vodka, fig jam, lemon, and a hint of vanilla.
Gin
- Pomegranate Gin and Tonic by How Sweet Eats — Fruity twist on a classic
- The Franconia 75 from Wine Enthusiast — Maple + cider riff on a French 75
- Pomegroni from Adeena Sussman — Pomegranate Negroni
- Bee’s Knees by Cookie and Kate — Prohibition-era gin, lemon & honey
Whiskey / Bourbon
- Apple Butter Old Fashioned from Half Baked Harvest — Autumnal twist with ginger beer
- Lemon Fig Cocktail from Bourbon and Honey — Sweet, sour & herbal
- Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour by Cookie and Kate — Bourbon shaken with lemon and maple syrup.
Tequila / Mezcal
- Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita by Half Baked Harvest— Mezcal + cider with cinnamon
- Tequila Sunrise by Liquor.com — Tequila layered with pomegranate grenadine and orange juice.
- Honey-Lime Margarita from Simply Scratch – Tequila, lime, and honey for a sweet-tart twist.
- Honey Paloma by The Little Epicurian — Grapefruit, tequila, honey, and rosemary.
- Apple Cider Mezcal Mule by Platings + Pairings – Mezcal with cider and ginger beer for a smoky mule.
Rum
- Cider Doughnut Daiquiri from Wine Enthusiast — Apple + cinnamon dessert cocktail
- Spiced Honey Mojito by the Adventure Bite – Rum with honey syrup, mint, and sparkling water.
- Pomegranate Rum Punch by the Sweet Rebellion – Dark rum with pomegranate juice and citrus.
Wine / Sparkling
- Pomegranate Prosecco Smash by How Sweet Eats — Tart, fizzy, mimosa-like
- Apple Cider Sangria by How Sweet Eats — Quick, crowd-pleasing pitcher
- Apple Bellini by Creative Culinary — Apple, maple syrup, and Prosecco.
