A great cocktail can turn an ordinary gathering into an outstanding event. Whether entertaining for a dinner party, birthday celebration, or special event, having a delicious and attractive cocktail to serve your guests can really make the occasion memorable. If you’re looking for the perfect servings for your affair, here are the top cocktails to serve when entertaining.
Classic Martini
The classic martini is always a favorite when entertaining. It’s well known, elegant, and oh so delicious. As one of the most popular drinks of all time, the martini brings a sophisticated cool to any occasion. Whether served shaken or stirred, the classic martini is guaranteed to be popular among your guests.
Ingredients:
-6 ounces dry gin
-2 ounces dry vermouth
-2 olives
Directions:
-Pour the gin and vermouth into an ice-filled shaker. Stir for 30 seconds.
-Strain mixture into a chilled martini glass.
-Garnish with olives.
Mojito
The mojito is a refreshingly light and summery cocktail that’s perfect for any gathering. It’s a great way to cool off your guests and is always a hit at parties. Whether served in a traditional or fruity variation, the mojito is always delightful and loved by many.
Ingredients:
-2 ounces white rum
-1 ounce simple syrup
-3 lime wedges
-10 fresh mint leaves
-club soda
Directions:
-Muddle the lime wedges and mint leaves in the bottom of your glass.
-Add the rum and simple syrup and stir to combine.
-Fill the glass with ice and top off with club soda.
-Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wedge.
Negroni
The Negroni is a strong and flavourful cocktail that makes the perfect addition to any occasion. Its unique combination of bitter, sweet, and sour makes it truly invigorating and memorable. Pair it with a nice dinner and you’ll have your guests asking for seconds.
Ingredients:
-1 ounce gin
-1 ounce Campari
-1 ounce sweet vermouth
-Orange peel
Directions:
-Fill a rocks glass with ice and add the Gin, Campari, and sweet Vermouth.
-Stir to combine and garnish with orange peel.
-Add a splash of club soda if desired.
Margarita
A classic margarita is sure to be a hit at parties and family gatherings. This iconic Mexican-inspired drink is easy to make and one of the most popular cocktails today. Serve it on the rocks or blended, either way it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
-2 ounces tequila
-1 ounce Cointreau
-1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
-Kosher salt and lime wedge for garnish
Directions:
-Combine the tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice in an ice-filled shaker.
-Shake vigorously until frost forms on the outside of the shaker.
-Strain mixture into a glass rimmed with Kosher salt and garnish with a lime wedge.
Old Fashioned
This timeless classic is a great choice for any party. A simple but sophisticated combination of bitters, orange, and whiskey, the old-fashioned is a guaranteed hit and won’t fail to impress your guests.
Ingredients:
-2 ounces bourbon
-1 teaspoon sugar
-4-5 dashes of bitters
-Orange peel
-Maraschino cherry
Directions:
-Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.
-Add bourbon, sugar, and bitters and stir to combine.
-Garnish with orange peel and a maraschino cherry.
Daiquiri
The daiquiri is a wonderfully light and fruity cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion. This Cuban classic will bring a bit of tropical vibes to your event and will be loved by your whole group. Whether served frozen or shaken, the daiquiri is always delightful and refreshing.
Ingredients:
-2 ounces light rum
-1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
-1 ounce simple syrup
Directions:
-Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker.
-Shake vigorously until frost forms on the outside of the shaker.
-Strain into a chilled glass and serve.
Cosmopolitan
The cosmopolitan is an iconic cocktail made popular by the HBO series “Sex and the City”. As a classic combination of vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice, the cosmo has a unique combination of sweetness and tartness. It’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients:
-2 ounces vodka
-2 ounces cranberry juice
-1 ounce triple sec
-1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
-Raspberries for garnish
Directions:
-Combine vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice in an ice-filled shaker.
-Shake vigorously until frost forms on the outside of the shaker.
-Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with raspberries.
Sour
Sours are bright, tart, and always delicious. This sour and sweet combination of ingredients is a perfect light and refreshing option for any gathering. Whether you serve them up or on the rocks, sours are always a winning choice.
Ingredients:
-2 ounces whiskey
-¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
-¾ ounce simple syrup
-Ice
-Maraschino cherry for garnish
Directions:
-Combine whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup in an ice-filled shaker.
-Shake vigorously until frost forms on the outside of the shaker.
-Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with the maraschino cherry.
When entertaining, having a signature cocktail is the perfect way to make an impression. But with so many cocktail options out there, it can be hard to decide which one to serve. Fortunately, our list of top cocktails to serve when entertaining offers something for everyone. From the classic martini to the fruity daiquiri, this list has you covered for any gathering. Whether you’re serving up a classy drink or a summery refreshment, your guests are sure to be impressed by your cocktail creations.
