Planning a party and ensuring your guests have a good time requires more than just a good playlist and delicious food. The drinks you serve can make or break the atmosphere. Whether you’re throwing a casual gathering, a cocktail party, or a festive celebration, we’ve compiled a list of 50 fantastic drink options that cater to all tastes and preferences. From refreshing mocktails to exquisite cocktails, this guide has something for everyone. Let’s dive in!
1. Classic Mojito
A refreshing mix of mint, lime, sugar, and rum, the Classic Mojito is a perfect drink for summer parties.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 10 fresh mint leaves, 1 lime (cut into wedges), 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 cup ice, 1.5 ounces white rum, 1/2 cup soda water.
– Instructions:
1. Muddle mint, lime, and sugar.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add rum and top with soda water.
4. Stir gently and garnish with mint.
2. Margarita
A zesty and flavorful classic, the Margarita is a must-have at any celebration.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce lime juice, 1 ounce orange liqueur, salt for rim, lime wedge for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Rim the glass with lime juice and dip in salt.
2. Shake tequila, lime juice, and liqueur with ice.
3. Strain into the glass and garnish.
3. Piña Colada
Transport your guests to a tropical paradise with this creamy, fruity drink.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces rum, 1 ounce coconut cream, 1 ounce heavy cream, 6 ounces fresh pineapple juice, crushed ice.
– Instructions:
1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with a pineapple slice.
4. Sangria
A delicious and fruity wine punch that is perfect for easy serving and sharing.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 bottle of red wine, 1/4 cup brandy, 1/4 cup orange juice, sliced fruits (oranges, lemons, berries), soda water, ice.
– Instructions:
1. Combine wine, brandy, orange juice, and sliced fruits in a large pitcher.
2. Chill for several hours and serve over ice with soda water.
5. Moscow Mule
Served in a classic copper mug, the Moscow Mule is a spicy and refreshing cocktail.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce lime juice, 4 ounces ginger beer, lime wedge and mint for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Fill a mug with ice.
2. Add vodka and lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer, stir, and garnish.
6. Cosmopolitan
A stylish favorite, the Cosmopolitan is known for its beautiful pink color and refreshing flavor.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1.5 ounces vodka, 1 ounce triple sec, 1 ounce cranberry juice, 1/2 ounce lime juice.
– Instructions:
1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime twist.
7. Espresso Martini
For coffee lovers, the Espresso Martini combines the kick of coffee with the smoothness of vodka.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce Kahlua, 1 ounce espresso (freshly brewed), coffee beans for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with coffee beans.
8. Whiskey Sour
A classic cocktail with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, ideal for whiskey fans.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces whiskey, 3/4 ounce simple syrup, 3/4 ounce lemon juice, lemon slice for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Shake whiskey, syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
2. Strain into a glass with ice and garnish.
9. Dark ‘n’ Stormy
This refreshing drink features the bold flavors of dark rum and spicy ginger beer.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces dark rum, 3 ounces ginger beer, lime wedge for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour over ginger beer and float dark rum on top.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge.
10. Bellini
A sparkling peach delight, the Bellini is an elegant choice for brunch or afternoon gatherings.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces peach puree, 4 ounces Prosecco.
– Instructions:
1. In a glass, combine peach puree and Prosecco.
2. Stir gently and serve immediately.
11. Aperol Spritz
This Italian classic is bubbly and refreshing – perfect for warm evenings.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 3 ounces Prosecco, 2 ounces Aperol, splash of soda water, orange slice for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
2. Pour in Prosecco, Aperol, and soda.
3. Stir gently and garnish.
12. Piña Kooler (Non-Alcoholic)
A family-friendly version of the Piña Colada that everyone can enjoy!
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup pineapple juice, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1/2 cup crushed ice, pineapple slices for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Blend pineapple juice, coconut milk, and ice until smooth.
2. Pour into a glass and garnish with a pineapple slice.
13. Fruit Punch
A vibrant and colorful drink that’s perfect for a crowd.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 cups orange juice, 2 cups pineapple juice, 1 cup cranberry juice, 1 liter lemon-lime soda, assorted fresh fruits.
– Instructions:
1. In a large punch bowl, mix the juices and soda.
2. Add sliced fruits for garnish and serve chilled.
14. Strawberry Daiquiri
A fruity frozen delight that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces rum, 1 ounce lime juice, 1 ounce simple syrup, 1 cup frozen strawberries, strawberry for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Serve in a chilled glass and garnish with a strawberry.
15. Lemonade
A classic refreshment that never goes out of style, perfect for outdoor parties.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, 4 cups water, lemon slices for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. In a pitcher, combine lemon juice and sugar.
2. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add water and mix well.
3. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices.
16. Cherry Limeade
Bright and refreshing, this drink is a great non-alcoholic option.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup cherry juice, 1/2 cup lime juice, 3 cups soda water, cherries and limes for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. In a pitcher, combine cherry juice and lime juice.
2. Slowly add soda water and stir gently. Serve over ice.
17. Mai Tai
A tropical cocktail that will transport your guests to the beach.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 ounce light rum, 1 ounce dark rum, 1/2 ounce orange liqueur, 1/2 ounce lime juice, dash of almond syrup, mint for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a glass with ice and garnish with mint.
18. Blue Lagoon
This vibrant blue drink is visually stunning and delicious.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 ounce vodka, 1 ounce blue curaçao, 1 ounce lemonade, lemon slice for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Shake vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade with ice.
2. Strain into a glass and garnish.
19. Tiki Rum Punch
A fruity punch perfect for any tropical-themed party.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup light rum, 1 cup dark rum, 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup pineapple juice, grenadine.
– Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients.
2. Serve over ice and garnish with fruit slices.
20. Hot Toddy
Warm and comforting, a Hot Toddy is perfect for cozy gatherings.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1.5 ounces whiskey, 1 tablespoon honey, juice of 1/2 lemon, hot water, spice for garnish (optional).
– Instructions:
1. In a mug, combine whiskey, honey, and lemon juice.
2. Fill with hot water and stir. Garnish with spice.
21. Champagne Cocktail
An elegant choice that sparkles in your glass.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 sugar cube, dashes of bitters, Champagne, lemon twist for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Place the sugar cube in a glass, add bitters, and fill with Champagne.
2. Garnish with a lemon twist.
22. Berry Mule
A fruity twist on the traditional Moscow Mule.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1.5 ounces vodka, 2 ounces berry puree, 4 ounces ginger beer, mint for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. In a mug, combine vodka and berry puree.
2. Add ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with mint.
23. Arnold Palmer
A perfect mix of iced tea and lemonade, refreshing and delightful.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 part iced tea, 1 part lemonade, lemon slice for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Combine equal parts iced tea and lemonade in a glass.
2. Serve over ice and garnish with a lemon slice.
24. Cucumber Cooler
A refreshing drink that’s perfect for hot summer days.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup cucumber juice, 2 ounces gin, 1 ounce lime juice, soda water, cucumber slices for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Mix cucumber juice, gin, and lime juice in a glass with ice.
2. Top with soda and garnish with cucumber slices.
25. Spiked Arnold Palmer
For those who want a kick, add vodka to the classic Arnold Palmer.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 part iced tea, 1 part lemonade, 1-2 ounces vodka, lemon slice for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Mix iced tea, lemonade, and vodka in a glass.
2. Serve over ice and garnish.
26. Taramind Collins
A unique twist on the classic Tom Collins drink.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces gin, 1 ounce tamarind puree, 1 ounce lemon juice, soda water, lemon slice for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Shake gin, tamarind puree, and lemon juice with ice.
2. Strain into a glass and top with soda. Garnish.
27. Mint Julep
A Southern classic that’s both refreshing and sweet.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces bourbon, 1 teaspoon sugar, 2-3 mint leaves, crushed ice.
– Instructions:
1. Muddle mint and sugar in a glass.
2. Fill with crushed ice and pour bourbon over.
3. Stir, and garnish with more mint.
28. Creamsicle Float
A sweet and nostalgic dessert drink that’s perfect for any sweet tooth.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup orange soda, 1 scoop vanilla ice cream.
– Instructions:
1. Pour orange soda into a glass.
2. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and serve immediately.
29. Holy Basil Mojito
A creative twist on the mojito that uses holy basil for an exotic flavor.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 10 holy basil leaves, 1 lime, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1.5 ounces rum, soda water.
– Instructions:
1. Muddle holy basil, lime, and sugar.
2. Add ice, rum, and soda water.
3. Stir and garnish with more basil.
30. Almond Joy Cocktail
A sweet treat that mimics the flavor of the popular candy bar.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 ounce coconut rum, 1 ounce chocolate liqueur, 1 ounce cream.
– Instructions:
1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a glass and enjoy!
31. Passion Fruit Martini
Tropical and tart, this martini is sure to impress!
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce passion fruit puree, 1 ounce lime juice, passion fruit for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a martini glass and garnish.
32. Coconut Water Mojito
A hydrating alternative that features coconut water for a tropical feel.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup coconut water, 10 mint leaves, 1 lime, 1.5 ounces rum.
– Instructions:
1. Muddle mint and lime in a glass.
2. Add coconut water and rum, stir gently.
33. Ginger Ale Mojito
A fizzy twist on the classic mojito, using ginger ale for extra flavor.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 10 mint leaves, 1 lime, 1.5 ounces rum, ginger ale, mint for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Muddle mint and lime in a glass.
2. Fill with ice, add rum and top with ginger ale.
34. Lavender Lemonade
A floral twist on the classic lemonade, perfect for refreshing summer parties.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, dried lavender.
– Instructions:
1. Bring water, sugar, and lavender to a boil to create syrup.
2. Strain syrup and mix with lemon juice and water.
35. Watermelon Slush
This vibrant drink is perfect for summer parties.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 cups seedless watermelon, 2 tablespoons lime juice, ice.
– Instructions:
1. Blend watermelon and lime juice with ice until slushy.
2. Serve in a chilled glass.
36. Chocolate Martini
A luxurious dessert drink that’s rich and indulgent.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1.5 ounces vodka, 1 ounce chocolate liqueur, 1 ounce cream.
– Instructions:
1. Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.
37. Raspberry Lemonade Spritzer
A bubbly and refreshing drink for sunny afternoons.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup raspberry lemonade, 1 cup sparkling water, fresh raspberries for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Mix lemonade with sparkling water.
2. Serve over ice and garnish with raspberries.
38. Irish Coffee
Perfect for chilly evenings, this drink combines coffee and whiskey.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup hot coffee, 1.5 ounces Irish whiskey, sugar, whipped cream.
– Instructions:
1. Mix coffee with whiskey and sugar to taste.
2. Top with whipped cream and serve.
39. Almond Milk Iced Coffee
A dairy-free twist on an afternoon pick-me-up.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup brewed coffee, 1/2 cup almond milk, ice, sweetener of choice.
– Instructions:
1. Combine coffee with almond milk and sweetener, serve over ice.
40. Pineapple Ginger Sparkler
A tropical drink with a spice kick, sure to delight.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces pineapple juice, 1 ounce ginger syrup, soda water, mint for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Mix pineapple juice and ginger syrup and pour over ice.
2. Top with soda water and garnish.
41. Spiked Chai Latte
A warming drink that’s perfect for chilly gatherings.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup brewed chai tea, 1 ounce rum, milk or almond milk, cinnamon.
– Instructions:
1. In a mug, mix tea with rum and add milk to taste.
2. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.
42. Berry Sangria
This colorful variation of sangria is filled with fresh fruits.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 bottle red wine, 1/2 cup berry liqueur, mixed berries, soda water.
– Instructions:
1. In a pitcher, mix wine with berry liqueur and fruits.
2. Chill and serve with a splash of soda.
43. Spicy Paloma
A spicy twist on the classic tequila drink.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce grapefruit juice, 1 ounce lime juice, jalapeño slices, soda water.
– Instructions:
1. Shake tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and jalapeño with ice.
2. Strain into a glass and top with soda.
44. Iced Matcha Latte
A refreshing and energizing non-coffee option.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 teaspoon matcha powder, 1 cup milk or almond milk, sweetener of choice, ice.
– Instructions:
1. Whisk matcha powder with a bit of hot water until smooth.
2. Combine with milk and sweetener, serve over ice.
45. Sparkling Apple Cider
A festive non-alcoholic option, perfect for fall parties.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 bottle sparkling apple cider, apple slices for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Chill cider and serve in glasses with apple slices.
46. Hot Chocolate Bar
A cozy drink station where guests can create their version of hot cocoa.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: Hot chocolate, marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips, peppermint sticks, and more for toppings.
– Instructions:
1. Serve hot chocolate in a large pot or slow cooker.
2. Provide a variety of toppings and let guests customize.
47. Peach Bellini
A delightful blend of fruity flavors, perfect for brunch.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 2 ounces peach puree, 4 ounces Prosecco.
– Instructions:
1. Pour peach puree into a glass.
2. Top with Prosecco and stir gently.
48. Vanilla Honey Lemonade
A sweet and aromatic lemonade variation.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup honey, 1 vanilla bean, 4 cups water.
– Instructions:
1. Mix lemon juice, honey, and water.
2. Split vanilla bean and add it to the mixture, strain, and serve over ice.
49. Protein Shake
For health-conscious guests, a delicious and nutritious option.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 scoop protein powder, 1 banana, 1 cup almond milk, 1 tablespoon peanut butter.
– Instructions:
1. Blend all ingredients until smooth and serve immediately.
50. Shirley Temple
A classic non-alcoholic drink loved by kids and adults alike.
How to Make:
– Ingredients: 1 cup ginger ale, 1 ounce grenadine, maraschino cherry for garnish.
– Instructions:
1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour ginger ale and grenadine, stir gently, and garnish with a cherry.
Conclusion
With this comprehensive list of 50 spectacular drinks, you’re now equipped to host an unforgettable party! From cocktails to mocktails, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Remember to consider your guests’ preferences and have a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available. Cheers to great times and even better drinks! Whether it’s a relaxed gathering or a lively celebration, these beverages will enhance the experience and leave your guests asking for more.