60 Spirited Cocktail Recipes Sure to Quench Your Thirst

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.

Recipe: Mint Julep

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

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.

Recipe: Moscow Mule

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

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.

Recipe: Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine

This cocktail mixes two all-time Southern favorites—bourbon and Cheerwine.

Recipe: White Wine Sangria

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

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.

Recipe: Old Fashioned

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

Recipe: Aperol-Bourbon Fizz

A fresh orange peel twist is the prettiest garnish for this festive cocktail.

Recipe: Watermelon Sangria

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

Recipe: Frozen Margarita

Taco Tuesday just got a lot more fun.

Recipe: Hot Toddy

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

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.

Recipe: Grapefruit Gin Slush

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

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.

Recipe: Big-Batch Bloody Marys

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

Recipe: Carrot-Ginger Beer

Use brown sugar and aromatic mint leaves when making the simple syrup for this thirst-quencher. 

Recipe: Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos

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

Recipe: Basil Bourbon Orange Smash

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

Recipe: Summer Cobbler Cocktail

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

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.

Recipe: Mojitarita

Can’t decide between a mojito and a margarita? This so-fresh cocktail combines the best of both.

Recipe: Sparkling Punch

Every shower needs a pretty punch bowl filled with a crowd-pleasing recipe.

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.

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.

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.

Recipe: Spicy Bourbon-Citrus Punch 

Spicy ginger is balanced by sweet orange and lemon juice. Before serving, add orange slices to punch bowl for garnish. 

Recipe: Bourbon Pink Grapefruit Fizz

This fizzy and fun cocktail will be a hit with every guest.

Recipe: Gingered Seelbach Cocktail

Vintage-inspired and prettier than plain-ole champagne, this elegant cocktail will become your signature dinner party drink.

Recipe: Honeysuckle Lemonade Cocktail

This light, refreshing cocktail will be your summer go-to for last-minute gatherings.

Recipe: Spiked Arnold Palmer

Spice up your party with this spirited version of the classic lemonade-sweet tea combo.

Recipe: Sparkling Citrus Punch with Lemonade Ice Cubes

Colorful lemonade ice cubes take the presentation level over the top for this fun brunch cocktail. 

Recipe: Papaya-Strawberry Cocktail

Fresh and fruity, this tequila cocktail will be a fun diversion from your usual margaritas.

Recipe: Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch

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

Recipe: Watermelon Margaritas

This watermelon margarita recipe might be the only margarita recipe we ever make again.

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.

Recipe: Spiced Hard Cider Fizz

This fall cocktail would make a great pre-Thanksgiving dinner drink to welcome guests in.

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.

Recipe: Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch

Pineapple simple syrup and lime juice gives this version of sweet tea a tropical twist.

Recipe: Rum Swizzles

Close your eyes and picture Bermuda as you sip this fruity and tropical cocktail.

Recipe: Sweet Tea Mule

Add bourbon, ginger beer, and lime juice to this sweet tea for a refreshing and light cocktail. 

Recipe: Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler

Cool as can be, this green drink is slightly sweet and hits the spot.

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.

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.

Recipe: Cranberry Mojito

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

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.

Recipe: Sparkling Rum Punch

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.