70+ Must-Try Cocktails for Every Occasion

This guide includes over 70 different cocktails for you to try. You’ll find old favorites and new creations here.

We’ve put together recipes that use all kinds of spirits, fruits, and mixers. You’ll learn how to make sweet, sour, strong, or mild drinks.

Our list has options for all times of year. You’ll see cool drinks for hot days and warm drinks for cold nights.

There are choices for parties, quiet evenings at home, and everything in between.

This guide is for everyone – from people just starting to make cocktails to those who’ve been doing it for years.

We hope you’ll find new drinks to enjoy and share with friends.

Let’s look at our big list of mixed drinks!

List of Must-Try Cocktails in this Holiday Season

1. Margarita

The Margarita is one of the most popular tequila-based cocktails.

It blends tequila, lime juice, and triple sec for a tangy and refreshing drink.

It’s often served in a glass with a salted rim, making it the perfect mix of citrus and tequila for a festive occasion.

Main Ingredients: Tequila, lime juice, triple sec
How to Make: Shake tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice. Strain into a glass with a salted rim and serve on the rocks or blended. Garnish with a lime wedge.

2. Mojito

The Mojito is a refreshing Cuban cocktail that mocks fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and sugar.

White rum and soda water are added, creating a light, fizzy drink with a minty-citrus flavor, perfect for hot days.

Main Ingredients: White rum, mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, soda water
How to Make: Muddle mint leaves, lime juice, and sugar in a glass. Add ice, white rum, and soda water. Stir and garnish with a sprig of mint and lime wedge.

3. Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is a classic whiskey cocktail known for its simplicity.

It combines whiskey, a sugar cube, and bitters, resulting in a bold, spirit-forward drink perfect for sipping.

Main Ingredients: Whiskey, sugar cube, bitters
How to Make: Muddle a sugar cube with bitters in a glass. Add ice, pour in whiskey, and stir gently. Garnish with an orange twist and a cherry.

4. Martini

The Martini is a sophisticated cocktail made with gin (or vodka) and dry vermouth.

Its clean, crisp flavor makes it a timeless favorite for those who prefer a minimalist, spirit-forward drink.

Main Ingredients: Gin or vodka, dry vermouth
How to Make: Stir gin and dry vermouth with ice until chilled. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with an olive or lemon twist.

5. Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan is a vibrant and fruity cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice.

Known for its bright pink color, it’s a popular choice for social events.

Main Ingredients: Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime juice
How to Make: Shake vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel or twist.

6. Negroni

The Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.

Known for its bold, bitter flavor, it is both simple and sophisticated, perfect for those who enjoy a more intense, spirit-forward drink.

Main Ingredients: Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth
How to Make: Stir gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth with ice until chilled. Strain into a glass over ice and garnish with an orange peel.

7. Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour is a well-balanced cocktail made with whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

It’s tangy, sweet, and smooth, offering a refreshing drink that’s easy to sip and perfect for any occasion.

Main Ingredients: Whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup
How to Make: Shake whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a glass over ice and garnish with a cherry or lemon wedge.

8. Piña Colada

The Piña Colada is a tropical cocktail with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice.

Blended with ice, it creates a smooth, creamy drink that’s sweet and refreshing, perfect for enjoying on the beach or poolside.

Main Ingredients: White rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice
How to Make: Blend rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice with ice until smooth. Pour into a glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry.

9. Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is a refreshing cocktail with rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.

This classic drink is known for its balance of sweetness and tartness, making it a favorite for rum lovers.

Main Ingredients: White rum, lime juice, simple syrup
How to Make: Shake rum, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

10. Manhattan

The Manhattan is a bold and flavorful cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.

It’s known for its smooth, rich taste and is often garnished with a cherry, making it a timeless choice for whiskey lovers.

Main Ingredients: Whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters
How to Make: Stir whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters with ice until chilled. Strain into a glass and garnish with a cherry.

11. Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is a tropical rum-based cocktail made with a blend of light and dark rum, lime juice, and orange curaçao.

It’s fruity and refreshing, perfect for summer gatherings or tiki-themed parties.

Main Ingredients: Light rum, dark rum, lime juice, orange curaçao
How to Make: Shake light rum, lime juice, and orange curaçao with ice. Pour into a glass and float dark rum on top. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.

12. Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail.

It’s made with cachaça (a sugarcane spirit), lime, and sugar.

It’s refreshing and tangy, perfect for warm weather and those who enjoy a simple, citrus-forward cocktail.

Main Ingredients: Cachaça, lime, sugar
How to Make: Muddle lime and sugar in a glass. Add ice and cachaça, then stir well. Garnish with a lime wedge.

13. Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary is a savory cocktail made with vodka, tomato juice, spices, and flavorings.

It includes Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice, and celery salt.

It’s typically served as a brunch cocktail, known for its ability to be customized with various garnishes like celery, olives, or even bacon.

Main Ingredients: Vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice
How to Make: Stir vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with celery, olives, or lemon wedge.

14. Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise is a vibrant, visually striking cocktail made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.

The drink gets its name from the layered effect created by the grenadine, which settles at the bottom, resembling a sunrise.

It’s sweet and fruity, perfect for those who enjoy tequila with a twist.

Main Ingredients: Tequila, orange juice, grenadine
How to Make: Pour tequila and orange juice into a glass with ice. Slowly add grenadine, allowing it to sink to the bottom, creating the sunrise effect. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

15. Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini is a modern classic cocktail that combines vodka, coffee liqueur, and freshly brewed espresso for a bold, rich flavor.

It’s the perfect choice for coffee lovers who want to enjoy a caffeinated kick with their cocktail, offering a smooth blend of bitterness and sweetness.

Main Ingredients: Vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso
How to Make: Shake vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with coffee beans for an elegant touch.

16. French 75

The French 75 is a refreshing, bubbly cocktail with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne.

It’s light and citrusy, perfect for celebrations or special occasions.

The blend of gin and champagne gives it a sparkling finish with a tangy kick.

Main Ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, champagne
How to Make: Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a champagne flute and top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.

17. Sidecar

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail with cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice.

It’s a well-balanced drink with a sweet, tart flavor typically served in a sugar-rimmed glass.

The Sidecar is perfect for those who enjoy strong, citrus-forward cocktails.

Main Ingredients: Cognac, triple sec, lemon juice
How to Make: Shake cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a sugar-rimmed glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

18. Long Island Iced Tea

The Long Island Iced Tea is a potent cocktail that combines vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec with a splash of cola to give it its tea-like appearance.

Despite its strong alcohol content, its smooth, sweet taste makes it a popular choice for those looking for a bold drink.

Main Ingredients: Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, cola
How to Make: Shake vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass over ice, top with cola, and garnish with a lemon wedge.

19. Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is a light and refreshing cocktail made with Aperol, prosecco, and soda water.

Its slightly bitter, citrusy flavor and bright orange color make it perfect for warm weather or as an aperitif before a meal.

The bubbly prosecco balances out the bitterness of Aperol, creating a drink that’s easy to sip.

Main Ingredients: Aperol, prosecco, soda water
How to Make: Pour Aperol and prosecco into a glass filled with ice. Add a splash of soda water and gently stir. Garnish with an orange slice.

20. Gin and Tonic

The Gin and Tonic is a classic, refreshing cocktail combining gin and tonic water.

This simple yet effective drink is known for its light, crisp, and slightly bitter flavor.

The gin botanicals perfectly complement the tonic water’s quinine.

It’s a go-to cocktail for those who prefer a refreshing, no-fuss drink.

Main Ingredients: Gin, tonic water
How to Make: Fill a glass with ice, add gin, and top with tonic water. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

21. Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a light, refreshing gin cocktail with lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.

It’s fizzy, tangy, and slightly sweet, making it a perfect summer drink.

The balance of lemon and gin creates a crisp, clean flavor that’s easy to enjoy.

Main Ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, soda water
How to Make: Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry.

22. Caesar

The Caesar is a savory Canadian cocktail similar to a Bloody Mary but made with Clamato (a blend of tomato and clam juices), vodka, and various spices.

It’s typically enjoyed as a brunch drink or hangover cure and is garnished with extravagant toppings like celery, pickles, or bacon.

Main Ingredients: Vodka, Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce
How to Make: Rim a glass with celery salt. Mix vodka, Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce with ice. Strain into the glass and garnish with celery, pickles, or bacon.

23. Rum Punch

Rum Punch is a fruity, tropical cocktail with rum, fruit juices, and grenadine.

The fruit’s sweetness blends perfectly with the rum’s rich flavor, making it a crowd-pleaser at parties and gatherings.

It’s vibrant, sweet, and refreshing, perfect for warm weather.

Main Ingredients: Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine
How to Make: Stir rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine in a pitcher. Serve over ice and garnish with tropical fruits like orange slices or cherries.

24. Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is a classic Southern cocktail with bourbon, mint, sugar, and crushed ice.

Known for its refreshing, minty flavor, it’s traditionally served at the Kentucky Derby but enjoyed year-round by those who love bourbon-based drinks.

The mint and sugar balance out the boldness of the bourbon, creating a refreshing and smooth cocktail.

Main Ingredients: Bourbon, mint, sugar, crushed ice
How to Make: Muddle mint and sugar in a glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice, add bourbon, and stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

25. Sazerac

The Sazerac is a strong and flavorful cocktail originating from New Orleans.

Made with rye whiskey, absinthe, sugar, and Peychaud’s bitters, it’s a bold drink with a complex flavor profile.

The anise flavor from the absinthe pairs beautifully with the spice from the rye, making it a must-try for whiskey lovers.

Main Ingredients: Rye whiskey, absinthe, sugar, Peychaud’s bitters
How to Make: Rinse a glass with absinthe. Muddle sugar and bitters, add rye whiskey, and stir with ice. Strain into the glass and garnish with a lemon peel.

26. Paloma

The Paloma is a refreshing, fruity cocktail made with tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime juice.

It’s sweet, tangy, and bubbly, making it a perfect drink for hot days or casual gatherings.

Combining tequila and grapefruit creates a light and zesty flavor that’s easy to enjoy.

Main Ingredients: Tequila, grapefruit soda, lime juice
How to Make: Pour tequila and lime juice into a glass with ice, top with grapefruit soda, and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge or grapefruit slice.

27. Dark ‘n’ Stormy

The Dark ‘n’ Stormy is a bold and spicy cocktail with dark rum and ginger beer.

The contrast between the sweet, rich flavor of the dark rum and the fiery bite of ginger beer makes this drink exciting and refreshing.

It’s a great choice for those who enjoy a strong and flavorful cocktail with a hint of spice.

Main Ingredients: Dark rum, ginger beer, lime juice
How to Make: Fill a glass with ice, pour ginger beer, and float the dark rum on top. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

28. Whiskey Smash

The Whiskey Smash is a refreshing, citrusy whiskey cocktail made by muddling lemon wedges, mint, and simple syrup, then adding whiskey and ice.

It’s bright and tangy, and it’s a perfect introduction for those who want a lighter whiskey drink with a touch of sweetness.

Main Ingredients: Whiskey, lemon, mint, simple syrup
How to Make: Muddle lemon wedges and mint with simple syrup in a shaker. Add whiskey and ice, shake well, and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.

29. Singapore Sling

The Singapore Sling is a fruity and complex gin-based cocktail created in the early 20th century.

It combines gin, cherry brandy, and a mix of fruit juices, resulting in a vibrant, sweet, and tangy drink.

It’s a tropical classic, perfect for those who love fruity cocktails with a little extra depth.

Main Ingredients: Gin, cherry brandy, pineapple juice, lime juice
How to Make: Shake gin, cherry brandy, pineapple juice, and lime juice with ice. Strain into a glass over ice and garnish with a cherry and pineapple slice.

30. Amaretto Sour

The Amaretto Sour is a sweet and tangy cocktail made with amaretto liqueur and lemon juice.

The almond-flavored amaretto gives this drink a unique, nutty sweetness that is perfectly balanced by the lemon’s sourness.

It’s a fun and easy-to-drink cocktail sure to please a wide range of tastes.

Main Ingredients: Amaretto, lemon juice, simple syrup
How to Make: Shake amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a glass over ice and garnish with a cherry or lemon wedge.

31. Vesper

The Vesper is a strong, sophisticated cocktail made famous by James Bond.

It combines gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc for a crisp, complex flavor.

It’s bold and elegant, making it a perfect choice for those who want a spirit-forward cocktail with a smooth finish.

Main Ingredients: Gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc
How to Make: Shake ice with gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

32. Clover Club

The Clover Club is a pre-prohibition gin cocktail that’s light, fruity, and slightly creamy, thanks to the addition of egg white.

Made with gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white, it’s a refreshing and beautiful drink with a foamy top and a pink hue.

Main Ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, egg white
How to Make: Shake gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white without ice to create foam. Add ice, shake again, and strain into a glass. Garnish with raspberries.

33. Boulevardier

The Boulevardier is a whiskey-based twist on the Negroni, made with bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari.

It’s rich and slightly bitter, with the boldness of bourbon balanced by the sweetness of vermouth and the bitterness of Campari.

It’s a great choice for whiskey lovers looking for something different.

Main Ingredients: Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari
How to Make: Stir bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari with ice. Strain into a glass and garnish with an orange peel.

Classic Cocktails

Whiskey Sour
Gin Fizz
Vodka Martini
Amaretto Sour
Pisco Sour
Rob Roy
Cuba Libre
Boulevardier
Singapore Sling
Brandy Alexander

Tropical Cocktails

Bahama Mama
Hurricane
Painkiller
Blue Hawaiian
Rum Runner
Zombie
Jungle Bird
Tropical Itch
Coconut Mojito
Chi-Chi

Fruit-Based Cocktails

Peach Bellini
Strawberry Daiquiri
Watermelon Margarita
Cranberry Vodka
Raspberry Mojito
Mango Margarita
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Passion Fruit Martini
Blackberry Bramble
Apple Martini

Modern Cocktails

Basil Smash
Cucumber Cooler
Blood Orange Negroni
Lavender Gin Fizz
Fig Sour
Elderflower Spritz
Mezcal Margarita
Coconut Water Colada
Matcha Mule
Grapefruit Paloma

Strong Cocktails

Vieux Carré
Corpse Reviver
Black Russian
Rusty Nail
Godfather
Snakebite
Rattlesnake
Bourbon Smash
El Diablo
Irish Coffee

Frozen Cocktails

Frozen Margarita
Frozen Piña Colada
Frozen Blueberry Daiquiri
Frozen Strawberry Margarita
Frozen Rum Punch
Frozen Lemonade Vodka
Frozen Peach Bellini
Frozen Sangria
Frozen Watermelon Mojito
Frozen Mudslide

Final Thoughts

With over 70+ cocktails, you now have plenty of options to try and enjoy.

Remember, making drinks can be fun and creative. Don’t be afraid to try new things.

You might swap one fruit for another or use a different type of spirit. Small changes can lead to new and tasty drinks.

Always drink responsibly and know your limits.

Cocktails can be strong, so it’s smart to go slow and drink water too.

We hope this list helps you find new favorites and gives you ideas for your next get-together.

There’s always more to learn about mixed drinks, so keep exploring and tasting.

Thanks for joining us on this trip through the world of cocktails.

Cheers to good times and good drinks!