Easy Cocktail Recipes That Will Liven up Your Next Dinner Party

Whether you’re at a summer BBQ or hosting a twilight dinner party, a refreshing cocktail is a must! Ditch the frosty beer for a punchy gin-infused tipple, or upgrade your rosé to a light, fruity spritz. Nothing goes better with a balmy summer night than a zesty cocktail. 

But if you're unsure what cocktails to add to your hosting repertoire, don't fret. To help you hone your mixology skills, here is our round-up of easy cocktail recipes anyone (yep, even a total rookie) can do, yet they will still dazzle your guests. Everybody wins. 

Easy Cocktail Recipe: Jalisco Negroni

Ingredients

• 30ml 1800 Añejo Tequila
• 30ml Sweet vermouth
• 30ml Italian bitter orange liqueur 

Method

1. Add ingredients to a double rocks glass and add ice. 
2. Stir until combined and fully chilled. 
3. Top up with more ice. 
4. Garnish with an orange twist and serve. 

Easy Cocktail Recipe: Grey Goose Watermelon Rose Spritz

Ingredients

• 45ml Grey Goose vodka
• 15ml Crawley rose syrup 
• 30ml Fresh lime juice 
• 15ml Martini Bianco
• 15ml Soda Water
• 30ml Fresh watermelon juice

Method

1. Fill your glass with ice.
2. Add Grey Goose, Crawley rose syrup, fresh lime juice, Martini Bianco and soda water.
3. Gently stir to combine.
4. Top with watermelon juice.
5. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Easy Cocktail Recipes: Bacardi Spiced Mojito

Ingredients

• 60ml Bacardi Spiced
• 4 lime wedges
• 2 tsp castor sugar
• 8 mint leaves
• 30ml soda water (Enough to top the drink)
• Mint sprig (garnish)

Method

1. Take the lime wedges and squeeze them in a highball glass. Gently press together the limes and sugar. 
2. Bruise the mint leaves by clapping them between your palms, rub them on the rim of the glass and drop them in.
3. Half fill the glass with crushed ice, add the BACARDI Spiced and stir.
4. Top with crushed ice, soda water and the mint sprig. 

Easy Cocktail Recipe: Bombay Bramble Cocktail

Ingredients

• 60ml Bombay Bramble
• 30ml Fresh Lemon Juice
• 15ml Simple Syrup
• Ice
• Half-wheel of Lemon (Garnish)
• Blackberry (Garnish)

Method

1. Pour the Bombay Bramble, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup into a shaker with ice.

2. Shake and then strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice.

3. Garnish with a lemon half-wheel and a fresh blackberry.

Easy Cocktail Recipe: St-Germain Elderflower Spritz

Ingredients

• 30ml St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur 
• 60ml Sparkling Rosé, Champagne or Prosecco
• 60ml Soda Water 
• 10ml Fresh Lemon Juice 

Method

1. Fill your glass with ice.
2. Add St-Germain, your choice of sparkling wine, fresh lemon juice and soda water.
3. Gently stir to combined.
4. Garnish with a slice of lemon. 

Easy Cocktail Recipe: Horchata Collada

Ingredients:

• 45ml Patrón Coconut Silver
• 15ml lime juice
• 35ml pineapple juice
• 50ml horchata
• 5ml coconut syrup

Method:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake ingredients thoroughly.
3. Strain the cocktail into a rock glass.
4. Top the cocktail with cubed ice and garnish with fresh pineapple.

Easy Cocktail Recipe: Johnnie & Blood Orange Highball

Ingredients

• 30ml Johnnie Walker (Red or Black Label)
• 15ml Pimm's No.1
• 120ml Schweppes Agrum
• Ice
• Orange Wedge (Garnish)

Method

1. Pour the Johnnie Walker into a highball glass.
2. Add in the Pimm's No.1
3. Top with the Schweppes Agrum
4. Load up your glass with lots of ice and stir
5. Garnish with an orange wedge

Have you tried all our easy cocktail recipes and looking for more hosting inspo? Check out our article on how to set the perfect dinner table for your next gathering. Or, if you'd rather outsource the venue, read our round-up of the best party venues in Sydney.