Cocktail parties are a popular way to socialise and have some genuine adult fun. They are perfect for bringing families, friends, and even colleagues together.
Planning a cocktail party is relatively easy, especially if it’s just an intimate affair. However, you may need to spend more time and effort in the preparation process if you plan to invite ten or more people into this soiree.
Since the average party lasts around two to three hours, you need to provide not just entertainment but also a constant supply of food and drinks – with emphasis on the latter. That’s the reason why it’s called a cocktail party, after all.
Not sure what to serve your guests? Below are six easy cocktail drinks you can learn to make with ingredients from your trusted alcohol delivery service in Abu Dhabi:
Table of Contents
1. Red Sangria
Perfect for a relaxed get-together, red sangria tastes better when allowed to sit overnight. Prepare it the night prior to the party to let the flavours steep. Just be careful, as this particular cocktail party favourite goes down quite easily.
What you’ll need:
- 1 750 ml bottle of merlot
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of liqueur
- 1/2 to 1 cup of brandy
How to prepare it:
Stir together the merlot, orange liqueur, sugar, and brandy in a pitcher. Mix until the sugar has dissolved.
For more fizz, you can top it with three cups of sparkling water or lemon-lime soda. Garnish with your choice of fruit and serve with ice.
This recipe yields about ten servings.
2. Moscow Mule
Invented in the 1940s, the Moscow Mule made its way back as a crowd favourite among mixed drinks. It has a refreshing taste and usually comes in a gorgeous copper mug.
What you’ll need:
- 4 cups of ginger beer
- 2/3 cup of lime juice
- 1¼ cups of vodka
How to prepare it:
Combine the ginger beer, lime juice, and vodka in a pitcher. Pour on glass over ice. You can also serve this drink with lime slices.
This recipe yields about six servings.
3. Chocolate Martini
Want a beverage that can double as a dessert? The chocolate martini is the perfect cocktail drink for you.
Just remember not to let its appearance fool you. It’s as potent as it is good.
What you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 ounces of vodka
- 2 1/2 ounces of half-and-half cream
- 1 1/2 ounces of chocolate liqueur
- 1½ ounces of creme de cacao
- Chocolate syrup (optional)
How to prepare it:
Place some ice in your tumbler or mixing glass until it is about three-fourths full. Then, add the half-and-half cream, vodka, chocolate liqueur, and crème de cacao. Stir everything together until you see condensation form outside the glass or tumbler.
If you want the ultimate cocktail-slash-dessert look, drizzle some syrup on your martini glass. You may also add chocolate to the rim. Finally, strain your martini into the glass before serving.
This makes one serving.
4. Screwdriver
Looking for a drink to mix for an impromptu Friday night party? The screwdriver is the perfect drink for you.
This quick and simple cocktail only requires two ingredients: vodka and orange juice. Three, if you count the ice.
What you’ll need:
- 30 ml of vodka
- Fresh orange juice
How to prepare it:
Bring out your highball glass and place some ice. Pour in vodka and fill it up with orange juice.
This recipe makes one glass, but you can always multiply the ingredients according to your desired number of servings.
5. Mojito
Considered one of the classic cocktail drinks, you can never go wrong with a refreshing glass of mojito. It’s the perfect thirst-quencher for any occasion, especially during a warm, humid night.
What you’ll need:
- 45 millilitres of white rum
- 15 cups of club soda
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 lime (sliced into 4 wedges)
- 2 tablespoons of white sugar
- 1 cup of ice cubes
How to prepare it:
Put the mint leaves and a lime wedge into a glass and crush them with a muddler to release their essence. Toss in two more lime wedges, add the sugar and muddle them again until the glass is filled with lime juice.
Top up with ice until the glass is almost full. Then, pour the rum over the ice. Add carbonated water before stirring.
Taste and add more sugar as needed. You can use the remaining lime wedge as a garnish before serving.
If you wish to add a fruity twist to this cocktail mix, try using different fruits, like pineapple or raspberry. Watermelon also works.
Want to make mint julep? Follow this recipe and replace rum with whiskey.
6. Mimosa
If you’re a big fan of sparkling wines like champagne, you’ll want to try making a mimosa for your cocktail party.
The original recipe is the bomb, but it has also been the inspiration for many variants that you can experiment with. All it takes is a bit of creativity and resourcefulness.
What you’ll need:
- 2 ounces of chilled champagne or other sparkling wine
- 1/2 ounce of triple sec
- 2 ounces of orange juice
- Orange slices (for garnishing)
How to prepare it:
Pour a sparkling wine of your choice onto a wine glass. Add orange juice and triple sec. Garnish with orange, as desired.
This makes one serving, but you can also make it in batches.
For a batch of 12 servings, pour a 750-millilitre bottle of champagne or sparkling wine into a pitcher. Add three-quarters of triple sec and three cups of orange juice and stir. Enjoy!
Relish the Good Things in Life
Cocktail parties are a great way to unwind and relish the good things in life.
With a quick browse of your favourite online liquor store in Dubai and an inspection of the contents of your pantry, you can plan a memorable cocktail party within the comforts of your home.
Looking for something different to do for your next party? Why not rent a Bubble Soccer Orange County and have some fun! Our bubble soccer courts are perfect for any occasion.
