CNN hosts did alcohol-free drinking game during on-air New Year's Eve celebrations

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper were left gagging and cringing as they played an alcohol-free drinking game while covering the Times Square celebrations on New Year's Eve.

The two presenters kept viewers entertained throughout the evening on 31 December as they appeared on CNN and counted down to 2023 in New York.

The pair have previously covered the same event together, but CNN made some changes this year by announcing it would be scaling back on drinking while on-air. As a result, Cohen and Cooper were left with non-alcoholic shots:

The decision to limit alcohol during the show came after Cohen previously made controversial comments about ABC's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show after having a few drinks.

At the start of 2022, Cohen acknowledged his mistakes on his SiriusXM radio show, saying: "The only thing that I regret saying, the only thing is that I slammed the ABC broadcast and I really like Ryan Seacrest and he’s a great guy. And I really regret saying that, and I was just stupid and drunk and feeling it.”

Prior to the New Year's Eve events last night, Cohen clarified to Rolling Stone that the ban may not apply to him and Anderson as he pointed out 'CNN said the correspondents will not be drinking'.

As he was a host of the program, Cohen continued: "Anderson and I will be the people partying on CNN, [though] we will be partying responsibly.”

CNN

However, when it came down to it, Cohen and Cooper told viewers last night they 'can't drink'. When asked whether he'd be able to make it through the night, Cohen joked: "That's the question. We will see. Do I have a pocket full of edibles? I do. Will I take them? I don't think so. I don't know, it's a long night."

Rather than taking shots of alcohol, the pair instead treated themselves to some mystery shots including pickle juice, buttermilk and apple cider vinegar.

After downing the pickle juice, which left them coughing and complaining about the taste, Cohen revealed that he'd brought 'chasers' to help them stomach the taste of the shots.

Instead of revealing a more palatable alcoholic drink, Cohen adhered to the alcohol ban and pulled out two juice boxes stolen from his son, taking a sip and saying: "Okay that's good."

After taking a shot of apple cider vinegar, Cooper questioned whether they were drinking 'socks' or 'shoes' while Cohen begged: "I need tequila."

Though pickle juice definitely isn't as good as tequila, at least the presenters will be feeling fresher than most this morning.