54 Spirited Cocktail Recipes To Start The Party
Every Southern host needs a signature cocktail recipe in their repertoire, and we've gathered our all-time favorites for you. With our best cocktail recipes, you won't just find one signature cocktail recipe—you'll find one for every season, event, holiday, dinner party, and tailgate. With cozy fall cocktails like our classic Hot Toddy, you'll be prepped for game day and beyond. With refreshing summery cocktails like our Mint Julep Slush or Watermelon Sangria, your porch parties will never be boring.
Raise a glass and celebrate with our elegant Champagne cocktails like the French 75, or kick it casual with our Raspberry Beer Cocktail or Big Batch Bloody Marys. Instead of setting out wine and beer the next time you host, refer to this incredible list of cocktail recipes to shake up your night. These are the best cocktails to quench your thirst and generate party buzz.
Blackberry Bramble Pisco Sours
Pisco is a South American grape brandy popular in Peru and Chile. If you can't find it in your area, feel free to substitute white tequila, grappa, or vodka. Don't be alarmed by the strength of this new classic; it's a cocktail that's meant to be sipped and savored.
Party Punch
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey
This recipe has everything you want in a punch: it's fizzy, fills up a party, and looks and tastes fabulous. Plus, it can be made up to a week in advance! Just wait to add the ginger ale until you serve it.
Mint Julep
A hallmark Southern cocktail, we always have the ingredients for a mint julep handy. This drink used to be made with rum, distilled by New England settlers, before bourbon became established in the South. For a refreshing cocktail, mix good bourbon, fresh mint, powdered sugar, and crushed ice and chill for 15 minutes before serving.
Moscow Mules
Served in a copper mug, this classic cocktail will keep you cool all summer long. Created in the 1940s, the refreshing mixture of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice has long-lasting appeal. With just three ingredients, quality is key—use fresh limes, good vodka, and non-alcoholic ginger beer.
French 75
This timeless cocktail recipe is dressy enough for a fancy dinner party but easy enough for a sunset drink on the porch. After shaking and straining lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin into a glass, top with bubbly and garnish with lemon peel and a sprig of rosemary. This elegant cocktail takes just 5 minutes to make and is enjoyable whether winter, spring, summer, or fall.
Dark 'N Stormy
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Highly visual and surprisingly flavorful, this layered, three-ingredient cocktail is easy to pour up at parties. The rum floats on top of the ginger beer for a fun party trick.
Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine
This cocktail mixes two all-time Southern favorites—bourbon and Cheerwine. This extra spunky cherry coke cocktail is delightful to look at as it is to drink—cherries and cherry bitters create the deep rosy hue and it’s topped with a fun cherry-and lemon slice garnish. If you’re making a big batch of these, try cherry-lemon-infused bourbon to punch up the flavors even more.
Pitcher Mojitos
Don't fuss with the cocktail shaker all night when you're hosting. Whip up a batch of pitcher mojitos and enjoy the party yourself, too. For the juiciest limes—you’ll need 8 for this recipe—pick ones that are tender, harder limes tend to be be dry on the inside.
Berry Patch Cocktail
Elderflower liqueur and gin provide a floral, lofty contrast to the tangy limeade and fresh raspberries in this sensational sipper. No need for simple syrup, muddled fresh raspberries yield plenty of sweetness and a vibrant red color to the drink.
Old Fashioned
We put a slight twist on this old-school cocktail to make it more approachable for a crowd. The classic Old Fashioned is transformed into a summery version with lemon-lime soda, crushed ice, and a sweet citrus syrup. Garnish to draw out acid flavors with orange rind curls or sweetness with maraschino cherries.
Aperol-Bourbon Fizz
A fresh orange peel twist is the prettiest garnish for this festive cocktail. If you plan to serve this as a signature cocktail at a party, have the recipe framed at the bar, so guests can mix one themselves if they opt too. To enhance the fresh, sweet zip of citrus with each sip, rub the cut edge of the orange peel twist around the glass rim.
Watermelon Sangria
This big-batch summer cocktail is our new favorite way to cool off. Fresh watermelon juice, rosé, and rosé Champagne create the gorgeous blush color of this drink. Enjoy poolside, on the porch, or at the beach.
Vodka Cherry Limeade
When the summer is hot, the drinks should be easy. This five-ingredient limeade is so easy to make, you can easily scale it up to serve a crowd. This sweet and tart tasting cocktail looks like a sunset in a glass.
Frozen Margarita
Taco Tuesday just got a lot more fun. Frozen limeade, silver tequila, orange liqueur, a touch of orange juice, and 8 cups of ice blend into an adult slushy. Serve in lime-rubbed, salt-rimmed glasses garnished with a lime slice.
Hot Toddy
This classic cocktail will soothe a sore throat and warm you up on cold winter nights. Keep this recipe on hand when a natural remedy is just what you need. The medicinal properties of this warm drink include antioxidant-rich black tea, anti-inflammatory cinnamon, throat-coating honey and lemon, and congestion-alleviating bourbon.
Milk Punch
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Milk punch hails from the legendary New Orleans establishment Brennan's Restaurant, open in the French Quarter since 1946. A lighter version of eggnog, it’s a creamy, boozy holiday cocktail flavored with vanilla and nutmeg. Shake and strain either neat in a chilled coupe glass, or over ice in a chilled Old Fashioned glass, add a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.
Lavender-Plum Shrub
If you've never tried this old-fashioned cocktail, it's the ultimate make-ahead drink before a party since it needs time to chill for the flavors to combine. Shrubs are made from combining vinegar, sugar, and fruit, and need a few days for the flavors to meld to create a sweet, fruit-infused, drinkable vinegar. When your lavender plum shrub is ready, mix it with bourbon or rye whiskey and club soda over ice.
Classic Margarita
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
You need just three ingredients for this classic cocktail—lime juice, orange liqueur, and tequila. Multiply as needed to serve a crowd.
Big-Batch Bloody Marys
If you're hosting brunch, there's no better way to serve drinks than with a favorite pitcher recipe. The tomato juice mixture can be made up to two days in advance, just add the vodka before serving. Set up a DIY bar with glasses, a bucket of ice, and garnishes of your choice to accompany your Big-Batch Bloody Mary mix.
Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos
This incredibly refreshing pitcher drink has fresh mint and summer watermelon. Ginger beer provides a spicy kick, but for something milder, use ginger ale. Make the mint simple syrup up to two days in advance for easier prep.
Basil Bourbon Orange Smash
This citrusy cocktail is oh-so-refreshing regardless the season. Smashes combine a liquor base with fresh, seasonal fruits, all smashed together over crushed ice. Muddle bourbon, basil simple syrup, and orange juice and wedges to create the smashed base for this delicious drink.
Summer Cobbler Cocktail
This refreshing cocktail makes use of those summer blackberries you've been picking up at the farmers' market each weekend. This is a whiskey drink but by using light and fresh white whiskey, this wintery spirit shows its summery side. Instead of the typical simple syrup, blackberry preserves provides the sweetness.
Mojitarita Cocktail
Can't decide between a mojito and a margarita? This so-fresh cocktail combines the best of both. Fresh mint from a mojito and tart lime juice from a margarita combine with silver tequila, granulated sugar, and sparkling water for a light, refreshing mashup of two favorite cocktails.
Sparkling Punch
Every shower needs a pretty punch bowl filled with a crowd-pleasing recipe. The base recipe mix of white cranberry juice and pink lemonade is non-alcoholic for mamas-to-be, but it can be turned into a buzzy punch by swapping club soda with Champagne (or sparkling wine) and orange liqueur. Garnish with mint sprigs for a preppy pink-and-green presentation.
Bee's Knees Honey Cocktail
This cocktail recipe dates all the way back to Prohibition, and there's a reason it's stuck around our bar carts all that time—it truly is the bee's knees. The best part? It’s a three-ingredient drink that takes 5 minutes to make. Combine, shake, and strain gin, honey, and fresh lime juice, and let the sipping begin.
Mint Julep Slush
What do we do when we love a cocktail recipe? Make it into an icy slush so we can drink it on even the hottest summer day. Bourbon, fresh mint, and simple syrup blend with 3 cups of ice to make this frosty adult treat.
Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch
For a fresh take on holiday punch to serve a crowd, try this Christmas-in-a-bowl full of ginger and spice and everything nice. Spicy ginger is balanced by sweet orange and lemon juice. Before serving, add orange slices to the punch bowl for garnish.
Spiked Arnold Palmer
Spice up your party with this spirited version of the classic lemonade-sweet tea combo. Spiked with bourbon, this big batch cocktail will cool and refresh guests by the pool or on the porch. To prep for your party, this hard tea lemonade can be made a day ahead.
Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch
With a yield of 10 servings, there's plenty for everyone at the tailgate to enjoy this fall cocktail. This fall ambrosia of sweet and tangy flavors blends cranberries, apple, lemon, honey, brown sugar, and bourbon. Let the punch meld by chilling for 1 to 8 hours before serving.
Watermelon Margaritas
This watermelon margarita recipe might be the only margarita recipe we ever make again. The watermelon is the star in this cocktail, so make sure to pick a good one. For a sweet and balanced tasting fruit, use a seedless watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a pale yellow spot where the melon rested as it soaked up the sun, if it's green all over, it's probably not quite ripe.
Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch
You don't need to be a professional mixologist to whip up a delicious party punch that serves a crowd. Punch and pitcher cocktails are a great way to serve a signature drink to guests beyond wine and beer, and this one takes 5 minutes and uses five ingredients. With time and effort freed up, it's time to mix and mingle with your guests!
Spiced Hard Cider Fizz
This fall cocktail would make a great pre-Thanksgiving dinner drink to welcome guests in. Club soda and hard apple cider add fizz to this festive apple, bourbon, lemon, and spice combination. Mix ingredients and serve immediately to enjoy this drink at its fizziest.
Gingered Toddy
Frederick Hardy II; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Mat Gibilisco
Nothing’s more comforting than a warm and soothing Hot Toddy on a chilly night. Whiskey is swapped with Bourbon for a Southern take, and lemon juice, orange bitters, star anise, and ginger-honey simple syrup infuse this cocktail with citrus, sweetness, and spice. Whole star anise adds a licorice-flavored twist, and it looks pretty, along with a lemon peel twist, as a garnish too.
Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch
Pineapple simple syrup and lime juice gives this version of sweet tea a tropical twist. Serve as is or spike with vodka. To ease with party planning, make the simple syrup and tea ahead up to two days in advance, and add lime juice and vodka just before serving.
Rum Swizzles
Close your eyes and picture Bermuda as you sip this fruity and tropical cocktail. The Rum Swizzle is often called "Bermuda's national drink," and we can see why. Shaved ice, light rum, fresh lime juice, sugar and Angostura bitters are whisked until foamy and garnished with fresh citrus and mint.
Sweet Tea Mule
Add bourbon, ginger beer, and lime juice to this sweet tea for a refreshing and light cocktail. Perfect to offer friends on a summer afternoon, this batch cocktail serves 8. With just five ingredients and 5 minutes to blend, you'll be sipping this spiked tea in no time.
Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler
Cool as can be, this green drink is slightly sweet and hits the spot. Juice from blended and strained cucumber and honeydew melon is mixed with a floral gin and served with ice. Swap the gin for lime seltzer water for a mocktail version.
Pink Cadillac Margaritas
Make several batches of these fun margs 3 to 4 hours before the party, and chill in fun bottles or pitchers. The pretty pink hue come from orange liqueur and cranberry juice. These girly margaritas have a sweet edge—rub rims of chilled glasses with a lime wedge, dip in a saucer of coarse salt and sparkling sugar, and twirl to coat.
Shoo-Fly Punch
Ginger liqueur, ginger beer, a touch of bitters creates a spicy but refreshing bourbon cocktail. Serve in mason jars for a casual summer gathering. Garnish with fresh mint and orange slices for a bright, citrusy finish,
Cranberry Mojito
Introduce the tart fall flavor of cranberries to your favorite minty cocktail. The cranberry reduction in these mojitos is a versatile mixer for other seasonal cocktails like a holiday cosmo. Shake and strain over ice, top with lemon-lime soda, and garnish with fresh mint and lime slices.
Frosted Cranberry Kir Royale
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
A classic Kir Royale—simply Champagne and creme de cassis—has a holiday moment with cranberry touches. Cranberry simple syrup, cranberry juice, and a sugared cranberry-garnish creates a sweet-tart, fizzy red cocktail that couldn’t be more festive. Serve in elegant Champagne or coupe glasses and make a toast to all that’s merry and bright.
Mississippi Mudslides
A little bourbon makes these mudslides perfectly rich and flavorful. For a dramatic and delicious effect, use a small kitchen torch to brown the marshmallows topping. This indulgent ice cream drink will cool you down quickly.
Apple-Pie Infused Bourbon
Turn a plain bottle of hooch into a top-shelf indulgence, infused with sweet autumn flavor. Enjoy apple-pie bourbon on the rocks or with sweet tea. This recipe includes an adaption for Orange-Clove-and-Cranberry-Infused Bourbon for something citrusy and spicy.
Spiced Apple Spritz
Frederick Hardy II; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Mat Gibilisco
Charleston, South Carolina, mixologist Miguel Buencamino invented this cocktail with an everything-fall flavor profile of warm spices, Jamaican rum, lemon, sparking apple cider, and Demerara sugar. Demerara sugar has toffee and caramel notes while cinnamon, clove, and star anise adds bold fall spice. This recipe is versatile as a flavorful mocktail by not adding rum.
Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktail
We used Mississippi's Cathead Honeysuckle Flavored Vodka to give the cocktail a delicate floral note, but plain vodka works too. Blended and strained watermelon creates the fresh juice mixer. This summer sipper serves 8 and is even more appealing garnished with lime slices, diced watermelon, or mint leaves.
Strawberry Margarita Spritzers
Club soda, fresh whole strawberries, and frozen daiquiri mix create fizzy and colorful margaritas. This blender drink takes 10 minutes and provides a pitcher-sized portion. Serve on a hot, summer night when something light, sweet, and fizzy is called for.
Mint Julep Sweet Tea
Two classic Southern drinks—the mint julep and sweet tea—merge for a drink made for sipping on a hot and humid night. Mint, sweet tea, lemon, bourbon, and crushed ice make a pitcher-perfect drink that takes 10 minutes of hands-on time. Find your nearest rocking chair on a front porch, and enjoy.
Retro Rum Punch
We love bringing back vintage recipes, and we're getting out Grandma's punch bowl to make this fruity cocktail ASAP. Pineapple and cranberry juices, two different rums, and ginger beer (or ale) mix together quickly and easily. Serve on your buffet on card night and enjoy sipping while playing rounds of bridge with friends.
Raspberry Beer Cocktail
This big-batch cocktail can be made up to three days in advance to help you with poolside party prep. Raspberries, raspberry lemonade, beer, and vodka mix into a light, fruity, and fizzy punch. Garnish with lemon and lime slices for a citrus twist.
Partridge In A Pear Tree Cocktail
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This cheeky holiday version of a classic Old Fashioned will have you humming The Twelve Days of Christmas. Pear brandy, bourbon, lemon juice, thyme simple syrup, and a dash of Angostura bitters blend into a beautiful and delicious Christmas cocktail. This recipe for one can scale up to your number of guests—just batch and chill ahead before the party begins.
Sparkling Cherry Limeade
This pretty cocktail just reminded us: It's about time for a girls' night! Add tequila and orange liqueur to turn this cheerful, cherry limeade into a cheeky margarita. Make these sparkle by topping them off with fizzy water and garnish with lime slices and maraschino cherries.
Texas Ranch Water
Hot, steamy nights call for hydrating with Texas Ranch Water—a light, simple drink that's easy to make. Texas Ranch Water is simply blanco tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico mineral water. The beauty of this cocktail is it's incredibly versatile—adjust the amount of tequila to taste, add a salty rim, swap plain for grapefruit or lime-flavored Topo Chico, or add a splash of Grand Marnier—but sometimes an unfussy drink is all you need.
Pomegranate Margarita
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
The Southern Living Test Kitchen recreated this recipe inspired from fond memories of happy hours past. And we can see why, pomegranate compliments a classic margarita beautifully into a sweet-tart festive cocktail. Pomegranate juice and pomegranate liqueur are added to the foundational trio of tequila, lime, and orange liqueur—serve in a salty-sweet rimmed glass garnished with lime wheels and pomegranate arils.
Salty Dog Cocktail
Don't let this cocktail's pretty color fool you: It's not one of those too-sweet drinks. Use freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruits for a pink-hued drink. Refreshing and slightly tart, this simple cocktail recipe will be a hit with every partygoer.
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