Food Shopping and Storing Beverages 27 Cocktail Recipes to Make For Your Next Party Get ready to party! By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 23, 2024 Close Photo: Fred Hardy Let’s be honest, no party is complete without a cocktail. And while drinks may not be your primary focus if you’re planning a soiree, they’re an important element that shouldn’t be forgotten. Luckily, we’ve put together a roundup of cocktail recipes that are suitable for just about any type of party you might be planning on throwing. Getting ready for a dinner party? Try serving a Tom Collins or a Vesper martini. Beach gathering on the horizon? We suggest making Mai Tais or a bowl of tropical pineapple punch. Keep reading for more cocktail recipes for every occasion! Fun Dinner Party Themes to Level Up Your Next Event (or Holiday) 01 of 27 Plaza Champagne Punch Jen Causey Take a note straight from the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City and serve this twist on the French 75 cocktail at your next soiree. Perfect for a New Year's Eve party or an everyday celebration, this effervescent, zesty drink will have your guests toasting in no time. With eight servings per batch, you'll have more time to join in the party. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 27 'Una Buena Noche' Cocktail Jen Causey There's no doubt your guests will have "una buena noche" if you serve this fizzy beverage at your next party. The eye-catching golden and maroon hues are created by pouring Lambrusco onto the honey syrup-infused tequila base. Lime juice adds a splash of refreshing citrus to the drink. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 27 Tom Collins Getty Images Simple yet satisfying, a Tom Collins works for just about any occasion. Typically, the drink is made with four ingredients—gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda—but we cut it down to just two by swapping lemon soda for the simple syrup, carbonated water, and lemon juice. Serve in a highball glass and enjoy! GET THE RECIPE 04 of 27 Espresso Martini Getty Images If you want to give your guests a little jolt, serve them a round of espresso martinis. Made with espresso, coffee liquor, and simple syrup, this drink is ridiculously easy to prepare. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 27 Mai Tai Antonis Achilleos Planning a party at the beach? Make Mai Tais! Our version of the fruity cocktail is made with tart lime juice, sweet pineapple juice, and orgeat syrup, as well as dry orange Curaçao, maraschino cherry juice, and two types of rum. If you want a drink that’s less sweet, cut down or omit the orgeat syrup. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 27 Bekaa Highball Jen Causey Looking for a fruit-forward drink that is still on the dry side? This Bekaa Highball is the perfect crowd-pleaser. A mixture of white grape juice, Lillet Blanc, apple brandy, tonic, and Champagne create multiple layers of unique flavor. Frozen grapes in place of ice round out this festive cocktail. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 27 Boozy Apple Cider Slushie J MUCKLE; STYLING: REBEKAH PEPPLER If you’re an apple cider fan, this boozy apple cider slushie is a must-try for any fall gathering. Here, apple cider is joined by bourbon, brown sugar-cinnamon simple syrup, lemon juice, and hard cider to craft a partially frozen cocktail that is refreshing and delicious. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 27 Paloma With Fresh Grapefruit Juice Greg DuPree Not a fan of overly sweet cocktails? Try this classic, balanced drink made with tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and club soda. You can enjoy it any time, but we love it on taco night or as a happy hour option. If you like a smoky taste, swap tequila for mezcal. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 27 Kombucha Blood Orange Mule Stephen DeVries What do you get when you add kombucha to a classic Moscow mule recipe? The resulting drink is fizzy, flavorful, and something you can enjoy all year long. If you can’t find blood oranges, which are typically in season from December to April, go ahead and substitute freshly-squeezed orange juice or grapefruit juice instead. Try this for your next brunch or lunch gathering. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 27 Pineapple Punch Fred Hardy You can’t have an outdoor gathering without a cocktail, and we’ve got just the one. This tropical pineapple-mango punch is sweet, acidic, and delightfully tropical thanks to the inclusion of white rum and coconut rum. While we love this at a BBQ, it’s also a solid summer happy hour option. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 27 Vesper Martini Getty Images The vesper differs from a traditional martini in that it calls for gin and vodka. It also swaps in Lillet, an aromatic honey-lemon French aperitif, in place of the signature dry vermouth. The resulting cocktail is citrusy, smooth, and quite strong. Serve with a hearty dinner at your next dinner party, like steak or a roast chicken. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 27 Pomegranate Royale Champagne Cocktail Fuzullhanum/Getty Images This drink, which can also be made into a batch cocktail, includes pomegranate juice, vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of Champagne. Add Chambord or St. Germain—an elderflower liqueur—depending on your personal preference, and enjoy this offering on New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve, or any other celebratory occasion. GET THE RECIPE 29 Cocktail and Spiked Punch Recipes Perfect for Any and Every Party 13 of 27 Grapefruit Kombucha Margarita Stephen DeVries There are virtually an endless number of margarita variations to try, and we’re partial to this grapefruit kombucha take, which you can serve whenever you’re craving a balanced, effervescent drink. It calls for tequila, bubbly kombucha, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup, and can be dressed up with a salt rim and sliced lime garnish. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 27 Raspberry Rum Cocktail Belmond La Samanna This tropical cocktail, which is ideal for a beach party or a backyard shindig, combines dark rum with pureed raspberries, fresh apple juice, lime, and a splash of ginger ale. Garnish with fresh fruit, such as pineapple or raspberries, to make this drink even dreamier. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 27 Minty Moscow Mule Punch J Muckle; Styling: Rebekah Peppler If your party crew loves a Moscow mule, give this punch a whirl. It takes a classic Moscow mule recipe and adds some mint flavor, courtesy of a ginger-mint simple syrup and some fresh mint as a garnish. For a spicier mule, pick a bold, flavorful ginger beer. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 27 Cherry Gin Rickey Victor Protasio This refreshing cherry gin cocktail is equal parts cool and tart, making it perfect for poolside or beachfront evenings. Since the recipe is relatively simple, it’s also easy to transform this drink into a non-alcoholic beverage for those who are looking to cut back on their alcohol consumption. To do so, just skip the gin. Even without the spirit, this drink is still scrumptious and refreshing. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 27 Holiday Negroni Brie Passano Traditionally, a Negroni is made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, but this festive take kicks things up a notch. While the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari remain, they’re joined by pungent spices such as star anise, cinnamon, pink peppercorns, and cloves. If you need a winter party drink, this is the one. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 27 Peach Smash Fred Hardy Put your summer peach haul to good use and whip up this bourbon-based cocktail. Here, you’ll find fresh basil leaves and peach slices, granulated sugar, bourbon, and a splash of fresh lime juice to balance out the sweetness. If you’ve got a pool party coming up, this is the perfect drink to serve. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 27 Coffee Old Fashioned Getty Images End your party with this twist on a classic old fashioned, which is made with bourbon, dark rum, Turkish coffee, and, of course, a sugar cube. Garnish with a classic orange twist and enjoy! GET THE RECIPE 20 of 27 Tarragon French 75 Victor Protasio This twist on a classy cocktail is the perfect start to a dinner party. Here, you’ll combine sparkling wine and lemon juice with plenty of cognac, which results in a warm, wintry take on the classic drink. And that’s not all! This take on a French 75 is infused with licorice-scented tarragon for an herby depth of flavor your guests will love. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 27 Mint Julep Greg DuPree Since this drink is served at the Kentucky Derby, it makes sense to make a round or two if you’re hosting a Kentucky Derby party. However, because this cocktail is made with fresh mint leaves, bourbon, and sugar, it also works for other spring and summer soirees. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 27 Limoncello Spritz Greg DuPree Limoncello is an acquired taste, and even then the boozy lemon liqueur can still be too strong for some. If you think you can handle a more subdued version of the Italian drink, try this spritz. This recipe combines Limoncello with dry sparkling wine, club soda, and some fresh lemon juice, so you’ll still get plenty of that lemon flavor, but the alcohol won’t be quite so concentrated. GET THE RECIPE Ready to Upgrade Those Homemade Cocktails? Learn How to Infuse Alcohol 23 of 27 Red Wine Spritz Greg DuPree If you’re under the impression that red wine can’t be mixed into a cocktail, think again! Here, a dry, sparkling red wine (we like Lambrusco), is joined by sweet vermouth, club soda, and some fresh peach slices. The resulting drink is effervescent and fruity, but not overly sweet. While you can enjoy this drink all year round, we prefer it in the warmer months. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 27 Lillet-Strawberry Spritz Greg DuPree Lillet is a French wine fortified with a blend of citrus liqueurs. In this summery recipe, the aperitif is joined by dry sparkling rosé, club soda, and fresh strawberries for garnish. Ideal for a picnic or outdoor dinner party, this drink is sure to satisfy your guests. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 27 Spicy Jalapeño-Mint Margaritas Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images Margaritas are having a moment, and you'd be sorry to miss out on this one! Jalapeños, lime, mint, and agave meld together to make the perfect spicy-sweet cocktail perfect for any occasion. Top with a rim of sugar instead of salt for extra sweetness to cut the kick. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 27 Cherry Americano Cocktail Greg DuPree This vibrant drink is guaranteed to wow at your next cocktail party! With its origins in Milan, it combines the bitterness of Campari, the dryness of vermouth, and the sweetness of maraschino cherries to make a cocktail that packs a punch. Serve over ice with an orange or cherry garnish, and watch your guests go crazy over it! GET THE RECIPE 27 of 27 Martini Jonathan Knowles/Getty Images Throwing a party? Make it a classy one by offering your guests some simple-to-make martinis. Pick your vice: vermouth with vodka or gin. And make the martinis dry, dirty, or twisted to your liking. Add orange bitters and a lemon twist for garnish to really wow your guests. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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