We are quickly moving into the season of entertaining and a good dinner party demands a fantastic drink. Whether it’s friends or family, offering up a welcome cocktail (or mocktail) is a great way to start an evening, preparing your guests for the delicious dishes to come.
If you’ve spent all week planning the menu, drinks for your dinner party could be the last thing on your mind. To help, I’ve rounded up 12 of my favourite dinner party drink recipes proven to be absolute crowd favourites, guaranteed to wow any guests lucky enough to have scored an invitation.
Some things to consider when creating a dinner party drink:
- Use what you have available: check your fridge, pantry and bar cart for ingredients that you can use in your dinner party drink. Many of us already have a selection of spirits, wines, soft drink or sparkling water already in stock, as well as fruit, jams, sugar, herbs and spices. Create a drink that utilises some of what you already have available at home.
- Consider what your guests like to drink: are they big wine drinkers? Do they prefer spirit-forward drinks? Are most of your guests alcohol free? Considering the preferences of your guests before they arrive means you can find a drink recipes that will satisfy everyone.
- Theming your drink to go with dinner: you might be throwing a dinner party themed around Italian summers, your family is coming over for a Christmas dinner or your hosting your book club members after you’ve just read a fantasy novel for the month – consider the theme of your dinner party and construct a drink to match. Theming a drink also doesn’t need to be quite so literal. If it’s a cold winter night outside, offering a sparkling, fruity number may not suit the dishes you plan on serving.
- How many people are coming along, and how many drinks do you plan on creating: I love to offer a more carefully constructed cocktail or mocktail for my welcome drink, served with snacks and canapés, and then I usually offer wines with dinner. However, you may want to offer drinks for each course. Consider the number of drinks you plan to make and how many will be drinking them.
Popular drinks combinations:
A cocktail doesn’t need to have 10 ingredients. You can simply take one key ingredient or spirit and combine it with a mixer of soda water or fruit juice. Here are a few popular flavour combinations to help inspire you:
- Gin with fruit
- Whisky or rum with earthy spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
- Citrus fruits with vodka, gin or sparkling wine
- Soda or tonic water with fresh fruit, fruity syrups or jams
- Milk or cream with dessert liqueurs like chocolate, hazelnut or coconut
12 drinks recipes for your next dinner party
Read on to see a collection of my favourite cocktails and mocktails guaranteed to impress your guests. All of these recipes would be fantastic additions to the menu next time you are entertaining friends or family.
Picante de la Casa
Otherwise known as the Soho House Tonic, the Picante de la Casa is a riff on the popular Tommy's Margarita, with the addition of spicy chilli and herbacous coriander. This is up there with one of my favourite cocktails. Always a winner!
Check out this recipe
Shirley Temple
The Shirley Temple is making a comeback! A sweet and refreshing non-alcohol drink to sip in the afternoon sun. Perfect for adults and children alike!
Check out this recipe
Tiramisu Martini
The tiramisu martini is something sweet and decadent to enjoy after dinner. A combination of espresso, coffee liqueur and Irish cream, this cocktail embodies the much loved dessert into a drink that is guaranteed to impress your guests.
Check out this recipe
Kir Royale
The Kir Royale is a simple, sweet and fruity drink perfect for long lunches or special occasions. You could also use the simple formula of a fruit liqueur + sparkling wine or champagne to create your own version!
Check out this recipe
Eggnog
A festive season classic, but probably my most requested drink come Christmas time. Enjoy a glass of silky, custardy eggnog pre or post-dinner to really get into the season.
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Thyme Tonic Rickey
The Thyme Tonic Rickey is a slightly sweet, herbaceous, alcohol free drink that you can sip for any occasion. Pretty to look at, easy to make and very refreshing.
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Gin & Jam
The fruity Gin & Jam is a three ingredient cocktail that uses only one spirit. The perfect dinner party drink! My favourite drink for its versatility. Endless combinations depending on what you have available at home.
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Lillet Spritz
A twist on the ever-popular Aperol Spritz. This Lillet Spritz is fruity and floral and very classy! The perfect drink to welcome the change of season from winter to spring.
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Spicy Pineapple Margaritas
A tropical spin on the classic cocktail, this spicy pineapple margarita is sure to get any party started. Love this one for summer barbecues.
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New York Sour
If you're looking for an aesthetic cocktail, look no further than the New York Sour. Made on whiskey, this drink has a stunning red wine float on top, contrasting the golden drink.
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Hunter Cocktail
The Hunter cocktail is a spirit-forward, after-dinner drink with bourbon and cherry liqueur, perfect for sipping slowly. If your guests love an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, you'll impress them with this one.
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Salted Sage Lemonade
No need for alcohol with this salted sage lemonade – citrusy, herbal and refreshing. Easy to make in a large batch to serve in the centre of your dinner party table.
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