Best cocktails for a party: a collection of tasty, crowd-favorite cocktails that are perfect for any celebration. Whether you are looking for something sweet and fruity, smooth and strong, or a unique signature drink, you can find it here. Your next party will be one for the books!
Check out my best cocktails for Valentine's Day or Halloween as well as Cointreau cocktails and Malibu cocktails.
Jump to:
- 1. Margaritas
- 2. Vodka Mojito
- 3. Jello Shots
- 4. Malibu Pina Colada
- 5. Sangria
- 6. Chocolate Martini
- 7. Cosmopolitan
- 8. Whiskey Sour
- 9. Moscow Mule
- 10. Mai Tai
- 11. Old Fashioned
- 12. White Lady Cocktail
- 13. Dark 'n' Stormy
- 14. Gingerbread Eggnog Cocktail
- 15. Witch's Brew Cocktail
- 16. Appletini
- 17. Lemoncello
- 18. Jamaican Rum Punch
- 19. French Martini
- 20. Lemon Drop Martini
- 21. Fuzzy Navel
- 22. Oyster Shooters
- 💭 Tips For Making The Best Party Cocktails
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Best Cocktails For A Party: Sangria (+21 Crowd Favorite Cocktail Recipes!)
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
A party isn't complete without a great selection of cocktails. Choosing the ones that will impress guests and keep the party going is crucial.
Below, you'll find the best alcoholic drinks for any celebration, including fan favorites, trendy concoctions, and smooth, classic cocktails!
1. Margaritas
Margaritas are always a crowd-pleaser and perfect for any party! Made with vodka, lime juice, and triple sec, this margarita is best served in a salt-rimmed glass with a lime wedge.
For a slightly fruitier version, try these blue and pink margaritas!
2. Vodka Mojito
These mojitos are a refreshing mix of vodka, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint. It's light, crisp, and cool, which is perfect for summertime celebrations!
3. Jello Shots
It's hard to debate that Jello shots are the perfect party drink and always make for a good time. You can customize them to any theme by using different flavors of Jello or different flavors of vodka!
4. Malibu Pina Colada
Transport your guests to the tropics with a cool and creamy pina colada. This classic frozen Malibu cocktail is perfect for pool parties, cookouts, and more!
5. Sangria
Pitcher cocktails like this sangria are great for parties because everyone can serve themselves as needed! Whip up a big batch of this fruity red wine cocktail to keep the party going!
6. Chocolate Martini
A chocolate martini makes for a memorable after-dinner drink that tastes even better than dessert! Godiva chocolate liqueur, vodka, milk, and Bailey's Irish Cream come together to make this rich and creamy cocktail.
7. Cosmopolitan
A Cosmopolitan, or 'cosmo,' is a sophisticated vodka cocktail made with cranberry juice, triple sec, and a splash of lime. Serve it in a martini glass garnished with a twist of orange peel for a classy touch!
8. Whiskey Sour
Whiskey lovers always appreciate a good whiskey sour; they're tasty enough that others will also enjoy them! Use fresh lime juice and your favorite Irish whiskey for the most smooth and flavorful results!
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
9. Moscow Mule
Moscow mules are a refreshing combination of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer served in a copper mug. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig for an elegant, easy, and delicious cocktail!
10. Mai Tai
A Mai Tai is a fruity tiki drink made from orgeat syrup, rum, orange curacao, and lime juice that tastes dangerously good! I make my own orgeat syrup with almonds and orange blossom water, so I can always have it on hand!
11. Old Fashioned
An old-fashioned is a simple, elegant choice for whiskey enthusiasts. It's strong and smooth with a bold, oaky flavor that is perfect for sipping!
12. White Lady Cocktail
The White Lady is a well-balanced cocktail with the bright acidity of lemon juice, the sweetness of triple sec, and the botanical notes of gin. It's a refreshing choice for anyone who enjoys citrusy drinks!
13. Dark 'n' Stormy
All you need for a classic Dark 'n' Stormy is Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, ginger beer, and lime juice! It packs a punch and has a robust, almost zesty flavor that will keep you coming back for more!
14. Gingerbread Eggnog Cocktail
This gingerbread eggnog cocktail is THE ultimate Christmas party cocktail! It's a rich and creamy combination of gingerbread eggnog, Kahlua, and vodka, topped off with a generous serving of whipped cream!
15. Witch's Brew Cocktail
Midori melon liqueur, blue curacao, and vodka come together with lemon and lime juice to make this vibrant green cocktail! It's perfect for Halloween but suitable for parties at any other time of year!
16. Appletini
Sweet and tart with a gorgeous jewel green color, vodka appletinis are downright delicious! It has a delectable sour apple flavor that is hard to beat!
17. Lemoncello
Lemoncello (or limoncello) is an Italian lemon liqueur that packs a mouthwatering punch of sweet citrus flavor! Guests will appreciate the time it took to infuse the vodka with lemon zest once they take their first sip!
18. Jamaican Rum Punch
If you're looking for a punchbowl cocktail, look no further! This Jamaican rum punch is fruity and flavorful yet packs a punch that might sneak up on you!
19. French Martini
A French martini includes vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord raspberry liqueur. It's elegant and elevated with a sweet, tart, and bold fruity flavor!
20. Lemon Drop Martini
Lemon drop martinis are the perfect drink for those who don't like to taste too much of their alcohol. You can also enjoy lemon drops in shot form, which are just as tasty with a more condensed lemon candy flavor!
21. Fuzzy Navel
This cocktail is made with just two ingredients: ' fuzzy' refers to peach schnapps, and 'navel' refers to orange juice. It's a fun and easy-to-make cocktail that is always perfectly suited for breakfast, brunch, or any time of day!
22. Oyster Shooters
Add a splash of vodka to turn these tasty oyster shooters into a boozy shot that doubles as an appetizer! Serve them on a platter for an elegant and unique starter that is perfect for any dinner party!
💭 Tips For Making The Best Party Cocktails
If you'll be playing bartender at your next party, here are a few things to keep in mind for the best cocktails! If you don't want to bartend, a big batch of pitcher cocktails never disappoints!
- Use Quality Ingredients. Using high-quality alcohol, fresh fruits, and mixers (homemade mixers are my favorite) will take your cocktails up a notch.
- Balanced Flavors. Try to have a balance of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors in your drinks.
- Experiment. Try using some more unique ingredients, like herbs, infused syrups (like my orgeat or honey syrup), or even flavored liqueurs.
- Be Consistent. Rather than eyeballing your measurements, use measuring utensils so that your drinks always turn out the same. See my page on ounces in a shot for some measuring tips!
- Ice Matters. Make sure you are using the right type of ice. Use larger ice cubes for drinks that are stirred and crushed ice for tiki-style drinks
Try one of these tasty party cocktails, or offer up a selection for guests to choose from! Pair these cocktails with my easy party appetizers. Let me know how your party goes in the comments below!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card
Best Cocktails For A Party: Sangria (+21 Crowd Favorite Cocktail Recipes!)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon sugar (or 3 tablespoons of simple syrup)
- 1 orange (sliced)
- 1 large lemon (sliced)
- 1 large apple (cored and diced)
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup brandy
- 1 bottle red wine (dry red wine like Rioja, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Add the sugar to a large pitcher, followed by the sliced oranges, lemons, and diced apples.
- Use a wooden spoon or muddler to muddle the fruit and sugar for 30 seconds, then pour in the orange juice and brandy, then muddle for another 15-30 seconds.
- Finally, pour in the red wine and stir to combine.
- Serve in a stemmed wine glass over ice with an orange wheel for garnish, if desired.
Notes
- Choose a wine you enjoy drinking on its own. The wine's flavor will be the base for your sangria, so picking a good quality wine will greatly enhance the final result.
- You can also add up to 1 cup of mixed berries (sliced strawberries, raspberries, and/or blueberries) to give your sangria more color and fruity flavor.
- Experiment with different fruits to find the combination you love the most. Peaches, pineapple, and pears can also be used, depending on the season and your preference.
- Though not essential, if you have time to chill your sangria in the fridge for an hour or two, it really gives the flavors time to meld together!
- You can use up to ¾ cup of brandy if you prefer a stronger sangria. On the same note, you can omit the brandy completely if you prefer just wine.
- For a non-alcoholic version, replace the wine with grape juice and skip the brandy.
Nutrition
Originally published October 8, 2023
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