10 DIY Best Party Drinks
Planning the perfect part can be a pretty daunting task, so this blog is for all those super organised party hosts who care about the little details and how they can make their party stand out. One element that will always stand out is your party drinks! Whether you’re hosting an intimate get-together or a recent milestone, our selection of impressive crowdpleasers are guaranteed to impress.
The right drinks are more than just the taste, think about mood settings to leave a longer impression, are you going for more fruity punch and vibrant colours to celebrate a joyous moment? Or want something a little more streamlined and mature for a formal dinner. Its the little details, joined with the balance of flavours and flair that make the difference for our ultimate party hosts.
Importance of Signature Cocktails
Your signature cocktails are your statement pieces. These show your guests the time and thought put into the event to even have a signature cocktail!
The signature cocktail should resemble the personality and any theming of the party. As the focal point of the party, they can be used for a drinks reception or drink on arrival. The signature cocktail sets the tone for the evening, adding a touch of sophistication and creativity that guests will take notice of and will remember long after the party finishes.
Moreover, having a few standout drinks simplifies the hosting process. Instead of trying to cater to every individual preference, you can focus on perfecting a select number of high-quality cocktails. This approach not only ensures consistency in taste but also allows you to prepare ingredients in advance, reducing stress during the event. By offering a handful of signature drinks, you streamline the serving process and can spend more time mingling with your guests.
Lastly, signature cocktails provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your mixology skills. Whether you’re an experienced bartender or a home enthusiast, crafting unique drinks can be a fun and rewarding challenge. Experimenting with different flavors, garnishes, and presentations allows you to add a personal touch to the party. Your guests will appreciate the effort, and you’ll gain a sense of pride and accomplishment from their enjoyment. If you’ve got a bit of a budget for your event, you can always look at adding some flair to your event
Best Party Drinks…
10 DIY Best Party Drinks
1. Margarita’s…these days has to be a spicy margarita!
The Classic Margarita is a timeless favourite that never fails to impress. This drink is a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and salty flavours, making it a versatile choice for any party. To make a Classic Margarita, you’ll need tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. However these days, we are a sucker for a spicy marg! You’ll need tequila, triple sec, fresh lime, mango juice, chopped chilli’s.
2. Mojito
The Mojito is a refreshing cocktail that is perfect for summer parties. This Cuban classic combines white rum, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, and soda water. Muddle the mint leaves and sugar in a glass, add the rum and lime juice, and top with soda water. Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig. The Mojito’s bright and zesty flavors make it a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to keep guests coming back for more. Super easy to add a few tweaks such as any fresh fruits to create summer fruit flavour infused mojitos. Fun fact, an apple mojito is actually our most popular cocktail for our cocktail fountains!
3. Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan is a sophisticated cocktail that’s perfect for a chic gathering. Made famous by the TV show “Sex and the City,” this drink combines vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice. Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a twist of orange peel for an elegant touch. The Cosmopolitan’s vibrant pink colour and tangy-sweet flavour make it an ideal choice for a stylish soirée.
Cosmopolitans have become more popular for gatherings as a sour cocktail request with the tartness of cranberry juice and orange liqueur/vodka pairing. The pale pink coloured cocktail lends itself well to girls gatherings and as a pink themed cocktails. Cosmopolitans are a popular choice for bar hire partys.
4. Sangria
Does anything else scream summer like a glass of Sangria? A versatile and effective party drink, Sangria can be a blend of whatever fruits you have available and half open bottles of wine.
The Spanish classic can be made with red or white wine, mix with a variety of fruits: seeded fruits like apples, grapes, pears tend to be used with white wines and berry fruits like strawberries, blueberries are tended to be seen with red Sangrias. Additional brandy, sweeteners like honey, lemonade can be added if you’d like to create a slight carbonated Sangria. The beauty of this drink is its customisability. Add what you feels pairs well with the tasting notes of your wine, add what will complement your food for the party and serve in a large pitcher. Make sure you chill your Sangria for a good 2 hours to allow full infusement and enjoy at an optimum temperature for Sangria.
5. Pina Colada
Does anything scream tropical like a pina colada? Creamy, coconut based, refreshing, the Pina Colada is a drink many have tasted on holidays, in bar or in the summer. Super easy to make and also a great nonalcoholic cocktail if needed.
This creamy, coconut-flavoured cocktail combines white rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. Blend the ingredients with ice until smooth and serve in a chilled glass, garnished with a pineapple slice and a cherry. The Pina Colada’s rich, tropical flavours will transport your guests to a beachside paradise.
6. Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a refreshing cocktail with a spicy kick, thanks to its key ingredient, ginger beer. To make this drink, combine vodka, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer in a copper mug filled with ice. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of mint. The Moscow Mule’s zesty and invigorating flavours make it a popular choice for any party.
On our drink differently menu, we’ve created a twist on the Moscow Mule using tamarind and Bombay mix. Definitely a popular one for asian weddings!
7. Mai Tai
The Mai Tai is a tropical cocktail that’s perfect for a summer luau or beach-themed party. This drink combines light and dark rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, and orgeat syrup. Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig, lime wheel, and a cherry. The Mai Tai’s complex, layered flavors make it a standout choice that will impress your guests.
8. French 75
The French 75 is a classy cocktail that’s perfect for a sophisticated get together. This drink combines gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne. Shake the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice, then strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist. The French 75’s bubbly, citrusy flavours make it a refreshing and elegant choice for any celebration.
9. Aperol Spritz
Definitely a summer favourite presently, the Aperol Spritz is a light and refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for a daytime party or brunch. This Italian classic combines Aperol, prosecco, and soda water. Fill a wine glass with ice, add the Aperol and prosecco, and top with a splash of soda water. Stir gently and garnish with an orange slice. The Aperol Spritz’s bright, bittersweet flavours make it a delightful choice that’s sure to impress your guests.
10. Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is a sophisticated and energising cocktail that’s perfect for a late-night shindig. This drink combines vodka, coffee liqueur, and freshly brewed espresso. Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a few coffee beans for an elegant touch. The Espresso Martini’s rich, bold flavors make it a standout choice that will wow your guests.
Classic Cocktails – Ultimate Best Party Drinks
Classic cocktails are timeless for a reason – their balanced flavours and simple elegance make them universally appealing. These drinks have stood the test of time and continue to be favourites at parties and socials. The beauty of classic cocktails lies in their simplicity, making them easy to prepare and enjoy.
Take the Old Fashioned, for example. This iconic cocktail combines bourbon, sugar, bitters, and a twist of orange peel. The Old Fashioned’s rich, smooth flavours and elegant presentation make it a favourite among cocktail enthusiasts. Another classic is the Martini, which can be made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth, garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. The Martini’s clean, crisp flavours and sophisticated appearance make it a staple at any cocktail party.
Then there’s the Negroni, a bold and bittersweet cocktail that combines gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. The Negroni’s striking red colour and complex flavours make it a standout choice that’s sure to impress your guests. These classic cocktails are not only delicious but also add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any gathering.
Neither of these absolute classics have made it into our list of 10 showcasing how many classic cocktails are out there for you to choose as your ultimate best party drink! If you really want to impress, consider hiring a mobile bar hire who can create a custom cocktail menu where you can add twists on your classic cocktail menu.
Don’t forget about non-alcoholics
Yes we resemble cocktails with alcohol but actually the 0% non alcoholic cocktails is a market growing at a rapid pace and shows no signs of slowing down. Therefore don’t just presume everybody will be drinking, actually a non alcoholic mocktail may be a winner for your party drink. Creative mocktails can be just as flavourful and impressive as their alcoholic counterparts, ensuring that all guests feel included and catered to.
Cocktail which lend themselves to great mocktails include pina colada, mojito and passionfruit martini.
Pairing Drinks With Party Snacks
Pairing drinks with the right snacks can enhance the overall party experience, creating harmonious flavour combinations that delight the palate. When planning your drink menu, consider what snacks will complement the flavours of each cocktail.
For example, a Classic Margarita pairs beautifully with spicy Mexican appetizers like nachos, quesadillas, and guacamole. The tart and refreshing flavors of the Margarita balance the heat and richness of these dishes. Similarly, a Mojito pairs well with light, fresh appetizers like shrimp ceviche, grilled vegetables, and fruit skewers. The zesty and minty flavors of the Mojito complement the fresh and vibrant flavors of these snacks.
A Popular trend for drinks receptions has been grazing board, an array display of your favourite nibbles, paired with cheeses, crackers, mini pastries served on an artisan board. More commonly paired with wine, it creates a tablescape of snacks for your guests to choose from with your party drinks
Whatever You Choose, Enjoy It
Considering you’ve got to the end of this blog its clear that you’re a thorough and have an avid eye for attention to detail. Your drinks are an essential element to a successful party, but you know what else is? YOU. You can have the best drinks at the party but as the host, you must be relaxed, happy and in a joyous mood! So make your choice, get your prep done then sign off and get ready for party mode!
The 10 best party drinks outlined in this guide offer a variety of flavors and styles to suit any occasion. From the timeless elegance of a Classic Margarita to the tropical delight of a Pina Colada, these drinks are sure to impress your guests and become the talk of the evening. Don’t forget to have a drink on us and tag us with any inspired drinks you had from us! If you need any further help, just get in touch with the team today!