1 / 35
Cerveza Margaritas
One sip of this refreshing drink and you’ll picture sand, sea and blue skies that stretch for miles. It’s perfect for a beach or poolside birthday party, and you can mix it up in moments. —Christina Pittman, Parkville, Missouri
2 / 35
Chocolate Cake Martini
Is it a beverage or a dessert? Don’t let its looks fool you, this chocolate cake martini is potent, but good!—Deb Williams, Peoria, Arizona
3 / 35
Margarita Float Cocktails
If you’re not so into birthday cake, this creamy ice cream cocktail is the perfect substitution. It will really take your party to the next level. —Teri Lee Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
4 / 35
Passion Fruit Hurricanes
This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that’s so popular in New Orleans. Whip up a batch for your next party! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
5 / 35
Cotton Candy Champagne Cocktails
You’ll love celebrating with these whimsical champagne cocktails. The cotton candy melts away, leaving behind its pretty pink color. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
6 / 35
Basil Citrus Cocktail
Fruity, fantastic and lighter in calories, this basil cocktail is a great way to offset all that cake! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
7 / 35
Ginger Mint Julep Cocktail
Mint juleps aren’t just for Kentucky Derby day! Enjoy one while gathering with friends for a birthday party or luncheon. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
8 / 35
Vanilla Bean Fizz Cocktails
A homemade vanilla bean syrup from our home economists fabulously flavors Champagne. The bubbly beverage is ideal for celebrations throughout the year.
9 / 35
Salty Dog Sangria
Mix up grapefruit vodka, ginger ale, grapefruit juice, a little wine and simple syrup and what do you get? A perfectly refreshing and beautiful sipper fit for a birthday party or special gathering. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
10 / 35
Blueberry Mojitos
Blueberry and lime are two of my favorite flavors, so I added blueberries to my favorite mixed drink! This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. To make simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for a week.—Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois
11 / 35
Orange Razzletini Cocktails
We combined orange juice and raspberry rum to create this fruity martini. The sunny, bright color is perfect for a party.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
12 / 35
Rosemary Strawberry Daiquiri
This strawberry daiquiri recipe is a standout with its herbal twist! I used to teach herb classes at our local technical college and everyone enjoyed my segment on herbal cocktails like this one. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
13 / 35
Rubies on Ice Cocktails
Ginger and pomegranate are made for each other, and the color of this beverage is tantalizing. If you’re looking for a nonalcoholic option, you can easily leave out the vodka for a delicious and fun drink! —Tara Deshpande, New York, New York
14 / 35
Sparkling Peach Bellinis
Folks will savor the subtle peach flavor in this elegant beverage. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
15 / 35
Margarita Snow Cone Syrup
I've tried pretty much every kind of margarita under the sun, but this snow cone version turns my favorite drink into even more of a party. —Monique Perez, Chicago, Illinois
16 / 35
Blackberry Beer Cocktail
This refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
17 / 35
Apple Amaretto Sours
An amaretto sour had always been one of my favorite cocktails. This version has a special touch that makes it perfect for enjoying throughout the fall. —Amber Forbes, Roper, North Carolina
18 / 35
Paloma
Soon after I learned about this cocktail, I brought the ingredients to a family birthday party at my parents’. The next time we got together, my dad had the fixings set out and ready to go. —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
19 / 35
Chocolate Martini
The variations on martinis seem endless. But this sweet chocolate martini recipe is both creative and sophisticated in taste and presentation. It’s a great way to end a birthday party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
20 / 35
Jalapeno Pomegranate Cocktail
This spicy and sweet sipper gives you a little fix of jalapeno flavor minus the heat. Start a couple of days ahead to flavor the vodka. —Melissa Rodriguez, Van Nuys, California
21 / 35
Pina Coladas
Velvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics are what this tropical drink delivers. The easy-to-make drink can be mixed and chilled ahead of time. When ready to serve, just blend for a creamy and delicious beverage. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
22 / 35
Mojito
Traditional mojitos are made with rum, which is both pleasant and mildly sweet. If you want a new spin on the classic mojito recipe, try using tequila for tart, yet refreshing flavor. —James Schend, Deputy Editor
23 / 35
Pomegranate Cosmo
Every party needs a signature drink. Sugar dresses up this simple cosmo that lets you enjoy an evening with friends and still shake things up. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
24 / 35
Swedish Rose Spritz Cocktails
A spritz is a still or sparkling wine-based cocktail served with a small amount of liqueur and a splash of seltzer or soda.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
25 / 35
Brandy Slush Cocktails
This slush with a hint of citrus keeps you cool on hot summer days. Even if you're not a tea lover, you'll likely find the mix of flavors pleasing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
26 / 35
Cranberry Cocktail
I adore the combination of flavors in this recipe. The secret is to thaw the lemonade so it’s still slightly icy—this way the cocktail will be cool and refreshing. For a nonalcoholic option, use peach juice and lemon-lime soda instead of schnapps and vodka. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas
27 / 35
Orange-Apricot Mimosa Punch
We make this punch for about every birthday party, and everyone loves it! I usually triple this recipe for a bigger crowd and garnish the punch with an orange-tangerine ice ring made several days ahead of time. —Kathy McKay, Acworth, Georgia
28 / 35
Cranberry Sparkler Cocktails
The flavors of this refreshing cran-raspberry cocktail are great any time of year. In winter, the cranberry makes it a good fit for holiday parties; on a warm summer’s night, the raspberry comes to the fore. It’s a favorite for a birthday party! —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
29 / 35
Orange Dream Mimosas
Your inner child will love this fun riff on the classic mimosa. Use sparkling cider, ginger ale or sparkling grape juice for a nonalcoholic version. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
30 / 35
Guava Coconut Rum Cocktail
My beverage is so sensational it's like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York
31 / 35
Lemonade Cocktail
Rum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. If you have vodka on hand, try that instead of the rum. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
32 / 35
Cranberry-Lime Sangria
Tart, light and fruity, this party-worthy sangria is a hit any time of the year. —Katy Joosten, Little Chute, Wisconsin
33 / 35
Cranberry Orange Mimosas
Mimosas are just so elegant for a birthday celebration. My recipe uses tart cranberries to balance the sweetness of champagne and orange juice. —Shannon Stephens, Lake in the Hills, Illinois
34 / 35
Frozen Brandy Old-Fashioneds
Both sides of my family are midwestern, so our strong brandy tradition is evident in the slush we make and in the Wisconsin old-fashioned cocktails we enjoy year-round. I decided to combine those recipes into something completely new. This goes very quickly at gatherings! —Stephanie Vaughan, Madison, Wisconsin
35 / 35
Pina Colada Syrup
My kids love snow cones in the summer. One day I thought "Why do kids get to have all the fun?" So I created this creamy pina coloda concoction for myself. Cheers! —Lauren Ebeling, Downers Grove, Illinois
Originally Published: June 10, 2020