65 Spirited Cocktail Recipes Sure to Quench Your Thirst

By Southern Living Editors
Becky Luigart Stayner

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.

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Pink Cadillac Margaritas

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Mint Julep

Southern Living

Recipe: Mint Julep

A hallmark Southern cocktail, we always have the ingredients for a mint julep handy.

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Moscow Mules

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Moscow Mule

Served in a copper mug, this classic cocktail will keep you cool all summer long.

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Pitcher Mojitos

Caitlin Bensel

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.

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Mississippi Bourbon Punch

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Mississippi Bourbon Punch

Muscadine wine stars in this spirited concoction of grenadine, bourbon, and a variety of fruit juices and sodas.

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Shoo-Fly Punch

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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.

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Salty Dog Cocktail

Caitlin Bensel

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.

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Frozen Margarita

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Frozen Margarita

Taco Tuesday just got a lot more fun.

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Cranberry Mojito

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry Mojito

Introduce the tart fall flavor of cranberries to your favorite minty cocktail.

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Mississippi Mudslides

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

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.

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Hibiscus-Mint Margaritas

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Hibiscus-Mint Margaritas

Flowery hibiscus and cooling mint add a flavorful kick to this margarita.

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Sparkling Rum Punch

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Sparkling Rum Punch

You'll see smiles all around when these signature cocktails are offered at your festive fete.

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Ginger Beer

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Ginger Beer

Grab a pilsner glass and drop in a fresh cherry to complete this refreshingly fizzy cocktail.

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Apple-Pie Infused Bourbon

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon

Turn a plain bottle of hooch into a top-shelf indulgence, infused with sweet autumn flavor. 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.

Download the Infused Bourbon Labels

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White Wine Sangria

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: White Wine Sangria

Chilled white wine and fresh peaches make this sangria ready for every summer luncheon.

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French 75

Southern Living

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.

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The Corduroy Jacket

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: The Corduroy Jacket

For a slightly more potent version of this retro-inspired cocktail, substitute hard cider or champagne for the sparkling apple cider.

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Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktail

Photo: Chris M. Rogers

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.

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Berry Bubbly Punch

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Berry Bubbly Punch

This recipe is adapted from a Champagne punch found in the first-ever cocktail book published in the United States in 1862, The Bartender's Guide by Jerry Thomas.

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Orange-Cranberry Gin and Tonic

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Orange-Cranberry Gin and Tonic

Orange juice and cranberries lend a bit of festive flair to the classic gin and tonic.

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Julian's Old Fashioned

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Julian’s Old Fashioned

For the Kentucky Bourbon afficionados in your bunch, make Julian's Old Fashioned the go-to cocktail for your next gathering.

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Cherry Frost

Photo: Ralph Anderson

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!

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Strawberry Margarita Spritzers

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

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.

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Mint Julep Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Garden Cocktail

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Garden Cocktail

You can substitute bottled juice for Garden Tomato Juice to save time. But if you make it fresh, don't use an aluminum saucepan—it will react with the tomato acid. Store in the fridge up to 1 week.

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Watermelon Bellini

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Watermelon Bellini

Whirl up any summer melon in this refreshing sipper. For a nonalcoholic option, replace the sparkling wine with sparkling white grape juice, sparkling cider, or club soda.

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Sparkling Autumn Chianti

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Apple Butter Sparklers

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple Butter Sparklers

For a kid-friendly version, substitute sparkling apple juice for the Prosecco.

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Pineapple-Rum-Tea Punch

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Pineapple-Rum-Tea Punch

Pineapple has long been a symbol of hospitality, so welcome party guests with this springy punch.

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Tomato-Tequila Fizz

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tomato-Tequila Fizz

It's not just for looks; garnishing adds fragrance and flavor to any cocktail. Here, grape tomato halves with a spring of mint bring color and a note of freshness.

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Hot Toddy

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Hot Toddy

This classic cocktail will soothe a sore throat and warm you up on cold winter nights.

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Old Fashioned Cocktail

Southern Living

Recipe: Old Fashioned

We put a slight twist on this old-school cocktail to make it more approachable for a crowd.

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Last-Word Fizz

Photo: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Last-Word Fizz

This frothy cocktail was adapted from the new book Pickles, Pigs & Whiskey by chef John Currence.

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Lost in Texas

Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Lost in Texas

This refreshing beer cocktail balances a malty bock-style beer with fruit-tinged apricot brandy.

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Blackberry Pisco Sours

Southern Living

Recipe: Blackberry 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.

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Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch

With a yield of 10 servings, there’s plenty for everyone at the tailgate to enjoy this fall cocktail.

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Watermelon Sangria

Katie Jacobs

Recipe: Watermelon Sangria

This big-batch summer cocktail is our new favorite way to cool off.

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Lavender-Plum Shrub

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Black and Blue Sparkler

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Big Batch Bloody Marys

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Big-Batch Bloody Marys

If you’re hosting brunch, there’s no better way to serve drinks than with a favorite pitcher recipe.

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Grapefruit Gin Slush

Caroline Rogers

Recipe: Grapefruit Gin Slush

Refreshing and cool, this slushee cocktail is the perfect porch sipper for hot summer days.

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Rum Punch

Photo: Hector Sanchez

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.

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Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos

This incredibly refreshing pitcher drink has fresh mint and summer watermelon.

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Basil Bourbon Orange Smash

Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Basil Bourbon Orange Smash

This citrusy cocktail is oh-so-refreshing regardless the season.

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Summer Cobbler Cocktail

Photo: Helen Norman; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Summer Cobbler Cocktail

This refreshing cocktail makes use of those summer blackberries you’ve been picking up at the farmers’ market each weekend.

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Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail

Becky Luigart Stayner

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.

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Mojitarita