Cocktails for all Seasons

Top 10 Cocktails for any occasion

Whether the party is indoors, outside, in the winter or the summer, there are plenty of cocktail options to toast the evening. Here is a list of the top cocktails to pair with any occasion.

For the graduation party:

White sangria

1/3 cup Peach schnapps

1/3 cup Cognac

Three tablespoons white sugar

Three whole oranges, sliced

1 ½ Sliced mangos

3 Bottles of dry white wine

¾ Liter ginger ale

This cocktail looks like spring in a glass. Add the schnapps, cognac, sugar and fruit into a pitcher and let chill for an hour. Pour the mixture into a punch bowl and add the wine and ginger ale. Serves about 25 guests.

Tom Collins

1oz. Lemon juice

1 ½ oz. Gin

2 oz. Carbonated water

½ oz. Sugar syrup

Dating to 1869, the refreshing taste of this cocktail explains why it has stayed around. Stir the lemon juice, gin and sugar syrup in a glass of ice. Top the mixture with the carbonated water, and the drink is complete. To garnish, add a slice of lemon and a cherry.

For the summer cookout:

Raspberry Margarita

1 ½ oz. Familia Camarena Silver Tequila

1 - 2 oz. Fresh raspberries

½ oz. Agave nectar

1 oz. Lime juice

A twist on the classic margarita, this cocktail is good to make during prime raspberry season. To prepare, muddle the raspberries in a sturdy glass. Combine the raspberries, agave nectar, tequila and lime juice into a shaker and shake for a few seconds in a clockwise motion. Pour the drink into a glass filled with ice and garnish with a mint sprig and a few whole raspberries.

Tequila Sunrise

3 oz. Orange juice

1 ½ oz. Tequila

½ oz. Grenadine syrup

The key to the sunrise is letting gravity doing all the work. First, add ice to a glass then pour the orange juice and tequila. Next, add the grenadine, which sinks to the bottom of the glass. Do not stir. Add a slice of lemon to the rim and a cherry.

For the housewarming party:

Moscow Mule

4 oz. Ginger beer

1 ½ oz. Vodka

Splash of lime juice

This drink is typically served in a copper mug or highball glass. To make, add the ginger beer, vodka and lime juice to a glass with ice. Stir gently. Add the lime slice to the side or inside the mug to garnish.

Old Fashioned

1 ½ oz. Bourbon or Rye Whisky

Two spoonfuls of Angostura bitters

1 sugar cube

Tablespoon of plain water

The Old Fashioned is known for being in the middle of sweet and sour. Put the sugar cube in a sturdy glass, add the bitters and water and muddle until dissolved. Pour the bourbon or whisky over the mixture, add ice and serve with both a slice of orange and cherry.

For the holidays:

White Russian

⅔ oz. Coffee liqueur

1 ⅔ oz. Vodka

1 oz. Fresh cream

Prepare for a milk mustache after drinking this cocktail. To make, pour the liqueur and vodka into an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Add the cream on top and stir slowly.

Jalisco Fizz

1.5 oz. Familia Camarena Silver Tequila

¾ oz. Apricot liqueur

Splash of sparkling prosecco

This cocktail is perfect for counting down the New Year. Combine the tequila and liqueur into a tall champagne glass, leaving about an inch of space. Fill the rest with the sparkling prosecco.