These Cocktail Recipes are the perfect way to start a party, to relax with friends, or just to enjoy a great tasting drink.
A cocktail is a mixed drink with two or more ingredients, where at least one of them contains alcohol. This opens the door to a delightful and fun combination of flavors for any mood or occasion.
Depending on the source, there is some dispute about the origin of the word cocktail. The Morning Post and Gazette (now known as the Daily Telegraph) in London says the word was first used in 1798.
Other sources have it dating from the period between 1803 to 1806. Whichever date is correct, there is no denying that cocktails are delicious and a fun way to celebrate with friends.
One thing is certain, though. Once the word was first used, it continued in popularity. Today. there are thousands of cocktails and more being introduced all the time.
I love sharing my favorite cocktails with my readers. I have broken down this guide down so that whether you are searching by occasion, by season, by holiday or by spirit, you can easily find your favorite drink -or try out a new one!
This collection grows every month so be sure to check back often to see what new drinks have been added.
It’s time to belly up to the bar for some great cocktail recipes!
This library of cocktail recipes has traditional drinks such as margaritas, Tom Collins and others. It also contains drinks that are perfect for your favorite holidays to celebrate the season in style.
Cocktail Techniques
Before we start on the drinks themselves, why not have a read of some of these articles about how to get the most out of your cocktail making experience?
- 12 Tips for making a Great Cocktail – Get the party started in the correct way.
- How to Make Fruit Ice Cubes – Dress up your drinks with frozen fruit.
- Setting up a Home Bar – How to set yours up without breaking the bank.
Cocktails by Spirit
What is your favorite spirit? All of them make great cocktails. Here is my list of favorites:
Brandy
- Spiced wine and Brandy – cooked in the Slow cooker
Gin
- Floridora – Lime juice and ginger ale make this a refreshing drink.
- Tom Collins Highball – Refreshing and Tart cocktail.
- Watermelon Raspberry Lemonade – You can also make this with rum or vodka for a change.
Rum
- Caribbean Coconut Rum – A tropical delight
- Cookies and Cream Cocktail – Dessert anyone?
- Paradise Punch Highball – Earl Gray Tea in a tasty drink.
- Hotel Riley Cocktail – It’s Vacation time!
- Island Oasis – Frozen pink drink that is a delight..
- Kahlua Rumba – An Adult Milk Shake
- WItches Brew – Pineapple and Cranberry Juice combine in this holiday favorite.
Southern Comfort
- Amaretto Southern Comfort Cocktail – A delightful sweet and sour combination
- Southern Breeze – Pomegranate and lychee juice gives this drink an Asian flair.
Tequila
- Classic Margarita – The traditional Mexican favorite.
- Dragon Fruit Margaritas – A red version of the classic drink.
- Grapefruit Tequila Highball – Tart and refreshing tall drink.
- El Diablo Silver Cocktail – Refreshing drink with Ginger beer and creme de cassis.
- Veracruzana Cocktail – Pineapple juice and lime juice makes for a refreshing taste.
- Patron Pineapple Cocktail – Two types of Patron combine with pineapple juice for a fabulous drink.
Vodka
- 10 Vodka Drinks – A round up of my 10 favorites
- Cosmopolitan – This pretty pink drink is made with cranberry juice.
- Adult Chocolate Milk – Kahlua and ice cream make this a tasty drink
- Bailey’s Mudslide – Irish cream in a chocolate drizzled glass.
- Bloody Mary – Spicy Cocktail that makes a great hangover cure.
- Coffee Chocolate Martini – Is it a drink, or is it dessert?
- Cranberry Sea Breeze – Grapefruit tropical drink
- Cinderella Glass Slipper – Lots of fruit juices give this drink a fun taste.
- Cuban Breeze – Amaretto gives this drink a lovely almond flavor.
- Dark Russian Cocktail – Chocolate milk gives this drink its color.
- Frankenstein Martini – The green and black colors are perfect for Halloween.
- Green Apple Martini – Don’t wait until fall to enjoy this delicious dessert drink.
- International Incident – Lots of countries combine for this great drink!
- Love Potion Cocktail – Perfect way to celebrate a romantic evening.
- Midnight Kiss – Sprinkles on the edge of the glass and an marshmallow garnish makes this a fun drink.
- Moscow Mule – A ginger beer classic with a spicy twist.
- Orange Cream Martini – This one would make a great dessert
- Spicy Bloody Mary – Tomato juice based cocktail
- White Russian – Cream and Kahlua give this drink a smooth taste.
- Witches Brew – Blue and Black Halloween delight.
Frozen Cocktails
- Cookies and Cream – Frangelico and cookies and cream ice cream make this a sweet treat.
- Island Oasis – any one for rum and lime?
Liqueur Based Cocktails
- Bailey’s Irish Cream After 8 – Creamy dessert style cocktail.
- Kahlua Amaretto Cream – This is a great dessert cocktail
- Toasted Marshmallow Martini – Another delicious dessert cocktail.
Tropical Cocktails
- Coconut Rum and Pineapple – Tropical fun drink
- Cuban Breeze – Light and refreshing vodka cocktail.
- Grapefruit Cranberry Sea Breeze – Refreshing tall drink
- Island Oasis Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri – yummy frozen delight.
- Veracruzana Cocktail – Tequila based refreshing drink
Classic Cocktails
These classic cocktails are one that every good bartender should know how to make. Many of your guests will ask for one of these when you ask what they want to drink tonight.
- Bloody Mary – Traditional breakfast cocktail
- Dark Russian – It’s International time.
- Margarita – Fresh lime juice and tequila in a salt rimmed glass.
- Tom Collins – Gin and lemon juice makes this drink nice and tart.
- White Russian – Vodka and Kahlua combine with cream for this tasty drink.
Champagne Cocktails
- Berry Bellini – This red drink is a delight to look at.
Hot Drinks
- Slow Cooker Spiced Wine – a traditional Holiday Favorite
Beer Cocktails
- Classic Moscow Mule – Ginger Beer cocktail with a spicy twist.
- Green beer – Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
- Michelada – Spicy and salty fun.
Dessert Cocktails
- Bailey’s After 8 Cocktail – This creamy dessert drink has a lovely taste of Bailey’s Irish Cream.
- Coffee Chocolate Martini – Cold coffee and frangelico combine wtih vodka.
- Cookies and Cream Cocktail – Frangelico and Coconut rum combine in this sweet treat
- Caramel Apple Martini – The last taste of this delicious drink is smooth, sweet caramel!
- Toasted Marshmallow Martini – An Olive Garden copycat recipe
- Kahlua Amaretto Cream – Almonds and coffee combine for this yummy drink.
- Kahlua Rumba – Make yourself an adult milk shake.
Cocktails by Holiday
Cinco De Mayo
- Dragon Fruit Margaritas – Orange juice and dragon fruit makes this a different kind of margarita.
- Margarita on the Rocks – The classic drink over ice
- Michelada – Beer and spices give this drink some heat.
- Spicy Bloody Mary – Brunch time favorite
Christmas
- Holiday Spiced Wine – perfect for Christmas or New Years
- Lush Berry Bellini – Champagne and Raspberries combine for this holiday favorite.
Halloween
- 20 Fall Cocktails – Start your holiday party with these fun drinks.
- Blue Witches Brew – Black sanding sugar is used on the rim of this drink.
- Witches Brew – Spooky orange drink with a fruity taste.
- Halloween Cocktail Garnishes – See dozens of ideas for setting the mood with fun and scary garnishes.
- Halloween Drinks Featuring Vodka – Try 10 of my favorites.
St. Patrick’s Day
- Bailey’s Irish Cream Mudslide – Drizzle a glass with chocolate for a yummy sweet drink
- International Incident – This traditional St. Paddy’s Day drink features alcohol from many countries.
St. Valentine’s Day
- 6 Fabulous Red Cocktails – Add some romance to date night with one of these.
- Love Potion Cocktail – Pretty in Pink!
- Raspberry Bellini – Add fruit to your favorite campaign for this romantic drink.
Easter 
- Easter Midnight Kiss – Easter marshmallows and funfetti glass rim gives this drink a holiday flair.
4th of July
Patriotic colors of red, white, and blue are featured in these 4th of July Cocktails
- Red, white, and Blue Cosmopolitan – All dressed up in patriotic colors.
- Patriotic White Wine Spritzers – The colors are all-natural, with no dyes!
Cocktails by Season
Cocktail recipes are the perfect way to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Each one has its own special fruits and vegetables that can be used to make a tasty drink.
Which season is your favorite?
Spring
- Earl Gray Paradise Punch – Serve this one for spring Barbecues.
- Floridora – Fresh mint from a spring garden gives this drink a lovely flavor
- Grapefruit Tequila Highball – Tart and tangy spring drink.
- Southern Breeze – Welcome spring with this refreshing drink.
- Watermelon Lemonade – This is not your usual lemon spring time drink
Summer
- Frozen Daiquiri – strawberry summer time treat
- Kahlua Rumba – Make yourself an adult milk shake.
- Sea Breeze Cocktail – Grapefruit and Cranberry Juice combines with vodka.
- Tom Collins Highball – Lemon juice and gin with fresh mint for a summer time favorite.
- Vodka Chocolate Milk – A summer time treat with ice cream
Fall
- 20 Fall Cocktails – Perfect for Halloween.
- Pumpkin Drink Holder – Use this to hold your drink supplies!
Winter:
- Spiced Wine – Heat up winter with this slow cooker delight
It’s Cocktail Hour On Pinterest
Do you have favorite cocktail recipes that I have not featured here? Tell me your favorite in the comments below and I’ll add them to my list.
Also be sure to have a look at these easy appetizers to pair with drinks at your next party.