62 Spirited Cocktail Recipes Sure to Quench Your Thirst
62 Spirited Cocktail Recipes Sure to Quench Your Thirst
Blackberry Bramble Pisco Sours
Recipe: 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.
Mint Julep
Recipe: Mint Julep
A hallmark Southern cocktail, we always have the ingredients for a mint julep handy.
Salty Dog Cocktail
Recipe: Salty Dog Cocktail
Don't let this cocktail's pretty color fool you: It's not one of those too-sweet drinks. Refreshing and slightly tart, this simple cocktail recipe will be a hit with every party goer.
Moscow Mules
Recipe: Moscow Mule
Served in a copper mug, this classic cocktail will keep you cool all summer long.
French 75
Recipe: French 75
This timeless cocktail recipe is dressy enough for a fancy dinner party but easy enough for a sunset drink on the porch.
Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine
Recipe: Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine
This cocktail mixes two all-time Southern favorites—bourbon and Cheerwine.
White Wine Sangria
Recipe: White Wine Sangria
Chilled white wine and fresh peaches make this sangria ready for every summer luncheon.
Pitcher Mojitos
Recipe: 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.
Berry Patch Cocktail
Recipe: Berry Patch Cocktail
Elderflower liqueur and gin provide a floral, lofty contrast to the tangy limeade and fresh raspberries in this sensational sipper.
Old Fashioned Cocktail
Recipe: Old Fashioned
We put a slight twist on this old-school cocktail to make it more approachable for a crowd.
Aperol Bourbon Fizz
Recipe: Aperol-Bourbon Fizz
A fresh orange peel twist is the prettiest garnish for this festive cocktail.
Watermelon Sangria
Recipe: Watermelon Sangria
This big-batch summer cocktail is our new favorite way to cool off.
Vodka Cherry Limeade
Recipe: 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.
Hot Toddy
Recipe: Hot Toddy
This classic cocktail will soothe a sore throat and warm you up on cold winter nights.
Lavender-Plum Shrub
Recipe: 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.
Grapefruit Gin Slush
Recipe: Grapefruit Gin Slush
Refreshing and cool, this slushee cocktail is the perfect porch sipper for hot summer days.
Black and Blue Sparkler
Recipe: Black and Blue Sparkler
Instead of throwing them in another cobbler or bowl of oatmeal, use the last of your fresh summer berries for a fun and festive cocktail.
Big Batch Bloody Marys
Recipe: Big-Batch Bloody Marys
If you're hosting brunch, there's no better way to serve drinks than with a favorite pitcher recipe.
Carrot-Ginger Beer
Recipe: Carrot-Ginger Beer
Use brown sugar and aromatic mint leaves when making the simple syrup for this thirst-quencher.
Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos
Recipe: Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos
This incredibly refreshing pitcher drink has fresh mint and summer watermelon.
Basil Bourbon Orange Smash
Recipe: Basil Bourbon Orange Smash
This citrusy cocktail is oh-so-refreshing regardless the season.
Summer Cobbler Cocktail
Recipe: Summer Cobbler Cocktail
This refreshing cocktail makes use of those summer blackberries you've been picking up at the farmers' market each weekend.
Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail
Recipe: Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail
Apple cider is everywhere during the fall, so this pear cider cocktail will be unique when you host.
Mojitarita
Recipe: Mojitarita
Can't decide between a mojito and a margarita? This so-fresh cocktail combines the best of both.
Sparkling Punch
Recipe: Sparkling Punch
Every shower needs a pretty punch bowl filled with a crowd-pleasing recipe.
Bee's Knees Honey Cocktail
Recipe: 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.
Big Batch Mint Tea Juleps
Recipe: Big Batch Mint Tea Juleps
You don't have to waste valuable party time individually measuring ingredients for each cocktail glass with this big-batch recipe.
Mint Julep Slush
Recipe: 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.
Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch
Recipe: Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch
Spicy ginger is balanced by sweet orange and lemon juice. Before serving, add orange slices to punch bowl for garnish.
Bourbon Pink Grapefruit Fizz
Recipe: Bourbon Pink Grapefruit Fizz
This fizzy and fun cocktail will be a hit with every guest.
Gingered Seelbach Cocktail
Recipe: Gingered Seelbach Cocktail
Vintage-inspired and prettier than plain-ole champagne, this elegant cocktail will become your signature dinner party drink.
Honeysuckle Lemonade Cocktail
Recipe: Honeysuckle Lemonade Cocktail
This light, refreshing cocktail will be your summer go-to for last-minute gatherings.
Spiked Arnold Palmer
Recipe: Spiked Arnold Palmer
Spice up your party with this spirited version of the classic lemonade-sweet tea combo.
Sparkling Citrus Punch with Lemonade Ice Cubes
Recipe: Sparkling Citrus Punch with Lemonade Ice Cubes
Colorful lemonade ice cubes take the presentation level over the top for this fun brunch cocktail.
Papaya-Strawberry Cocktail
Recipe: Papaya-Strawberry Cocktail
Fresh and fruity, this tequila cocktail will be a fun diversion from your usual margaritas.
Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch
Recipe: Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch
With a yield of 10 servings, there's plenty for everyone at the tailgate to enjoy this fall cocktail.
Watermelon Margaritas
Recipe: Watermelon Margaritas
This watermelon margarita recipe might be the only margarita recipe we ever make again.
Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch
Recipe: 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.
Spiced Hard Cider Fizz
Recipe: Spiced Hard Cider Fizz
This fall cocktail would make a great pre-Thanksgiving dinner drink to welcome guests in.
Spiked Watermelon Lemonade
Recipe: Spiked Watermelon Lemonade
There's few things more refreshing than a tall glass of tangy lemonade. Add some vodka and watermelon juice for an adult version of this summer favorite.
Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch
Recipe: Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch
Pineapple simple syrup and lime juice gives this version of sweet tea a tropical twist.
Rum Swizzles
Recipe: Rum Swizzles
Close your eyes and picture Bermuda as you sip this fruity and tropical cocktail.
Sweet Tea Mule
Recipe: Sweet Tea Mule
Add bourbon, ginger beer, and lime juice to this sweet tea for a refreshing and light cocktail.
Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler
Recipe: Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler
Cool as can be, this green drink is slightly sweet and hits the spot.
Pink Cadillac Margaritas
Recipe: Pink Cadillac Margaritas
Fast Flourish: 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
Recipe: Shoo-Fly Punch
Ginger beer is a nonalcoholic fizzy beverage with a pop of spicy ginger. It's the flavor secret in this spicy but refreshing cocktail.
Cranberry Mojito
Recipe: Cranberry Mojito
Introduce the tart fall flavor of cranberries to your favorite minty cocktail.
Mississippi Mudslides
Recipe: 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.
Sparkling Rum Punch
Recipe: Sparkling Rum Punch
You'll see smiles all around when these signature cocktails are offered at your festive fete.
Apple-Pie Infused Bourbon
Recipe: Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon
Turn a plain bottle of hooch into a top-shelf indulgence, infused with sweet autumn ?avor. At 7 ounces, these cute corked bottles are the perfect size for gifts ($2.09 each; specialtybottle.com). You can also use mini mason jars or any other food-safe glass container with a lid.
Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktail
Recipe: Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktail
We used Mississippi's Cathead Honeysuckle Flavored Vodka to give the cocktail a delicate floral note, but plain vodka works too.
Cherry Frost
Recipe: Cherry Frost
This refreshing drink is composed of black cherry liqueur, brandy, crushed ice, and then topped off with sparkling white wine. Of course, no cocktail is complete without a maraschino cherry on top!
Strawberry Margarita Spritzers
Recipe: Strawberry Margarita Spritzers
Club soda, fresh whole strawberries, and frozen daiquiri mix set these margarita spritzers apart. Serve on sultry summer days and enjoy the fizzy sweetness of these colorful cocktails.
Mint Julep Sweet Tea
Recipe: Mint Julep Sweet Tea
This iced cocktail features the best of two classic Southern drinks: the mint julep and sweet tea. For best results, sip in a rocking chair on a front porch somewhere.
Sparkling Autumn Chianti
Recipe: Sparkling Autumn Chianti
A blanc de noirs, with its fruity, hint of vanilla flavor, is a great sparkling wine choice for this recipe. We also suggest using Lady or Gala apples.
Apple Butter Sparklers
Recipe: Apple Butter Sparklers
For a kid-friendly version, substitute sparkling apple juice for the Prosecco.
Lost in Texas
Recipe: Lost in Texas
This refreshing beer cocktail balances a malty bock-style beer with fruit-tinged apricot brandy.
Retro Rum Punch
Recipe: Retro Rum Punch
We love bringing back vintage recipes, and we're getting out Grandma's punch bowl to make this fruity cocktail ASAP.
Raspberry Beer Cocktail
Recipe: Raspberry Beer Cocktail
This big-batch cocktail can be made up to three days in advance to help you with poolside party prep.
Montgomery Punch
Recipe: Montgomery Punch
If you found a recipe in a vintage junior league cookbook, you know it's bound to be amazing.
Sparkling Cherry Limeade
Recipe: Sparkling Cherry Limeade
This pretty cocktail just reminded us: It's about time for a girls' night!
Every Southern hostess needs a signature cocktail recipe in her 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 a signature cocktail recipe 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 Grapefruit Gin 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 Gingered Seelbach, 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.