10 Delicious Cocktail Recipes to Wow Your Guests

Party season is fast approaching and if you’re having a get-together there’s a lot of organising to do. Once you’ve decided on the music and decorations it’s time to order the catering and glasses, but what about drinks? Beer, wine and soft drinks are party staples but how about making your shindig extra special by adding some scrumptious cocktails. If you really want to create the perfect party atmosphere you could even hire a mobile bar for the night. Take the chance to show off your mixology skills or get your guests involved – making cocktails is fun!

We have put together 10 delicious cocktail recipes for you to try. So what are you waiting for, get practicing your Tom Cruise moves and start juggling that cocktail shaker!

Blue Christmas

The only time you should feel blue this Christmas is when you have this colourful tipple. (Or when listening to Elvis of course.)

1 oz vodka

1 oz blue curacao liqueur

4oz lemonade

Cherry

Edible glitter

Pour vodka and curacao over ice in a tall glass. Fill with lemonade, top with a cherry and sprinkle edible glitter around the glass just before serving.

 

Vodka Martini

Make your guests feel as suave as James Bond with this classic. It’s up to you if you stir it!

1½oz premium vodka

¾oz dry vermouth

2 dashes of bitters (optional)

Lemon twist for garnish

Shake ingredients with crushed ice. Strain and pour into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

 

New Year Thriller

Delight your friends with this heady fusion.

2oz white rum

1oz dark rum

½oz cherry brandy

1oz pineapple juice

1oz orange juice

1oz lime juice

Shake ingredients briefly and pour into a glass filled with ice.

 

#Hashtag

Twitter followers will love this mix!

4oz champagne

1oz vodka

1oz orange juice

¼oz grenadine

Shake vodka, orange juice and grenadine and pour into a glass half filled with ice. Add champagne and garnish with a slice of lime.

 

Pink Planet

This elegant cocktail will make you feel very sophisticated.

3oz Champagne/Prosecco

¾oz strawberry liqueur

2oz strawberry puree

½oz lemon juice

1 tsp caster sugar

Rim a glass with strawberry liqueur and caster sugar. Blend all ingredients apart from the champagne with three-quarters of a glassful of crushed ice. Pour into the glass, add the champagne and stir briefly.

 

Leap Year

This cocktail was invented in 1928 by Harry Craddock for the Leap Year celebrations at The Savoy Hotel, London. An ideal drink for 2016 then!

2oz gin

½oz sweet vermouth

½oz orange liqueur

¼oz lemon juice

Shake with crushed ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon or orange twist.

 

Non-Alcoholic

No need to miss out on a cocktail if you want an alcohol free beverage. Try these refreshing blends.

 

Cinderella

2oz orange juice

2oz pineapple juice

1oz lemon juice

½oz sugar syrup

1oz soda water

Shake and pour into an ice-filled glass. Add the soda and garnish with a slice of lemon and a straw.

 

 

Virgin Bellini

2oz peach juice

1tsp grenadine

2oz lemonade

Pour into a chilled champagne flute and serve.

 

Strawberry Split

2oz strawberry puree

1oz apple juice

1oz pineapple juice

½oz lime juice

⅓oz strawberry syrup

2oz lemonade

Blend briefly and pour into a glassful of crushed ice, add the lemonade. Garnish with a strawberry and add straws.

 

Afterglow

4 parts orange juice

4 parts pineapple juice

1 part grenadine

Mix juices together with ice and pour into a glass with grenadine.