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

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.