14 New Year's Eve Cocktails That Actually Aren't That Bad For You

    Here's to a fresh start.

    Anthony Rivas
    by Anthony Rivas

    BuzzFeed News Reporter

    OMG, you guys, 2016 is almost over. And we know you could probably use a drink — or three — to celebrate the end of this year and the promise of a fantastic 2017.

    Warner Bros. / Via giphy.com

    Okay sure, it's probably safer to avoid alcohol if you're trying to cut down on sugar or reduce your calories. But if you're planning on drinking anyway and looking for something a little ~lighter~, we've rounded up some options.

    None of these require sugary mixers or sodas. Instead, they're sweetened with mostly natural ingredients like fresh or squeezed fruit. Some do include a little sugar or other sweeteners, but those can be adjusted — or just left out entirely — depending on your preferences.

    So HAPPY FREAKIN' NEW YEAR'S!

    1. Boozy Blood Orange Punch

    thealmondeater.com

    Tis the season for blood oranges too, and my-oh-my is this a beautifully delicious drink. Squeeze out some extra blood orange juice so you won't have to use any store-bought stuff, which has added sugar.

    Get the recipe here.

    2. Rosemary Grapefruit Fizz

    thepetiteprofessional.com

    The citrus and herbal flavors blend together into a cocktail that's quintessentially winter. Grapefruits are also in season this time of the year, so you'll have all the natural sweetness you need. (Give me all of it, please!)

    Note: If you can't find grapefruit-flavored La Croix, club soda works just fine.

    Get the recipe here.

    3. Strawberry Champagne

    serenabakessimplyfromscratch.com

    This is literally like an alcoholic strawberry slushy. And you can ditch the optional teaspoon of sugar in the recipe since the strawberries are sweet enough.

    Get the recipe here.

    4. Sparkling Sangria

    thecookful.com

    Tart and slightly sweet. Sangria is always a solid choice for a party, and this one comes with a holiday twist. Note that the cranberry juice is optional.

    Get the recipe here.

    5. Yuletide Moon Holiday Cocktail

    cottercrunch.com

    Smoky bourbon, tart cherries and clementines, and sweet maple syrup combine to make an amazingly colorful holiday drink. That said, you probably won't need all that maple syrup and it'll still taste great.

    Get the recipe here.

    6. Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned

    Erin Parker

    Toasted pecan-infused whisky makes this modified version of the classic cocktail the perfect drink for your New Year's Eve party — or, really, any time when you want that warm fuzzy feeling. Use half a teaspoon of granulated sugar instead of the sugar cube for less added sugar.

    Get the recipe here.

    7. Cinnamosa

    bylynny.com

    Can we first take a moment to just appreciate how festive this drink looks in a flute glass? OK, awesome. Here, mix whiskey with sparkling wine and blood orange juice to get the naturally sweet version of this strong AF drink. Although you can use cinnamon whisky to ramp up the spiciness, if you so wish.

    Get the recipe here.

    8. French 75 Cocktail

    sugarandsoul.co

    Named after one of the most powerful field guns of WWI, this classic cocktail bombards the mouth with the strength of gin and champagne. Add some lemon for some of that wintery citrus flavor. And feel free to ditch the simple syrup since this should be sweet enough on its own.

    Get the recipe here.

    9. French Kiss Cocktail

    lexiscleankitchen.com

    Vodka, champagne, and a variety of fruits give this cocktail a naturally sweet, light way to start off your New Year.

    Get the recipe here.

    10. Honey-Lemon Gin Rickey

    brighteyedbaker.com

    Super simple, super delicious. The Gin Rickey is your typical gin and tonic without all the added sugar inside tonic. Go easy on the honey, though, so that it's not too sweet.

    Get the recipe here.

    11. Pomegranate Spiked Cava

    pickledplum.com

    Cava is a dry sparkling wine that works to not overpower the fruity flavors of the pomegranate and lemon. Add some ginger in there for spice, and you've got yourself the perfect New Year's drink.

    Get the recipe here.

    12. Vegan Eggnog

    girlmakesfood.com

    Simplicity is all you need, sometimes. Plus you'll get a serving of fruit. It's an overall win.

    Get the recipe here.

    13. Clementine Margarita

    thecookierookie.com

    Margaritas really are good anytime of the year, but with clementines in season, you'll probably get all the sweetness you need here without the agave nectar — although you can use it if you want.

    Get the recipe here.

    14. The Paloma

    bsinthekitchen.com

    You just can't go wrong with tequila and citrus flavors. Try this cocktail without the added teaspoon of sugar for a more tart, grapefruity drink.

    Get the recipe here.