New Year’s Eve is all about celebration — dressing up, gathering with loved ones, and toasting new beginnings.
For social media creators Melyssa Hanif and her husband Daniel (@lifewiththehanifs), New Year’s Eve is always about trying new things and spending time with family. “We normally go out as a family to a new restaurant none of us have tried, dress up, and then head back to someone’s house to ring in the new year with cocktails, snacks, and grapes,” Melyssa says.
One new addition to the Hanif’s celebration this year is the RumChata Dirty Soda. This creamy, bubbly drink combines RumChata’s cinnamon-spiced sweetness with your favorite soda, creating a deliciously balanced cocktail perfect for welcoming the new year.
For the Hanifs, this simple two-part drink has become a quick favorite. “We love to show our life to our audience and inspire them to try something new,” says Melyssa. “Whether it’s what we are eating, an outfit we put together, or maybe even inspire them to travel somewhere new.”
Melyssa Hanif and her RumChata Dirty Soda
Incorporating the RumChata Dirty Soda into their evening was a no-brainer. “It’s super easy to make and sip on,” she says. The cocktail’s simplicity makes it ideal for hosting — there’s no need for elaborate preparation, and it pairs well with the laid-back, festive vibe of the holiday. You also don’t need a ton on hand to make it happen: just a bottle of RumChata and a can or bottle of your favorite soda.
As for when to serve it, Melyssa recommends offering guests the Dirty Soda as a welcome drink and preparing them as guests arrive. “You want to have the perfect amount of bubbles from the soda and the RumChata coming together,” she notes, and the fresher the preparation, the crisper those bubbles will be. The creamy, fizzy drink sets the tone for the night, offering a warm and celebratory start to the evening.
If you’re not familiar with it, RumChata is a cream liqueur made with Caribbean rum, dairy cream, and a signature blend of cinnamon and vanilla. It’s known for its comforting, approachable flavor profile that evokes classic horchata — a cinnamon-infused rice drink popular in Mexican cuisine.
“I’m Mexican, so I grew up on horchata,” Melyssa says. “I love that RumChata feels like an adult version of something I already know and love, and you can use it in so many ways.” Its creamy texture and warm, baking-spiced flavor make it an ideal ingredient for cocktails like the Dirty Soda, where it brings a luxurious sweetness to the fizzy brightness of soda.
For Melyssa, RumChata’s flavor and versatility are what make it such a standout ingredient. “I’m a big soda girl and love RumChata, so combining the two is like the best of both worlds in one!” she says.
A RumChata Dirty Soda
Whether you’re hosting a big bash or enjoying a quieter celebration, the RumChata Dirty Soda fits right in. It’s festive without being fussy and indulgent but easy to make — a perfect reflection of what New Year’s Eve is all about.
How to Make a RumChata Dirty Soda
Fill a glass with ice.
Pour in 2 ounces of RumChata.
Add your soda of choice. Melyssa recommends cola soda for its classic flavor, but spiced soda or cream soda are also great options.
Stir gently and serve immediately.
Because this cocktail is so easy to prepare, it’s perfect for parties. Set up a drink station with ice, soda, and RumChata, and let guests mix their own. For some added fun, offer a few different soda options on the table so guests can try a few different versions of the drink and discover their own favorites.
This article is sponsored by RumChata.
The article NYE Made Easy: Try This Two-Ingredient Cocktail That Wows Every Time appeared first on VinePair.