20 Party Drink Ideas to Consider That Your Guests Will Love

Planning the food menu options for a party can be overwhelming, but deciding what the drink menu should be can be equally stressful. Instacart helps you take the guesswork out of what drink ideas you should consider serving at your next party.

How to choose the best party drink options

When choosing the drink menu for a party, you should consider the guests in attendance and the theme of the party. Is the party taking place in the morning, afternoon, or evening? While you’ll want to consider alcoholic beverages, also consider a non-alcoholic party drink menu for guests as well.

Ten alcoholic party drink ideas to consider

Here are ten alcoholic party drink ideas to consider serving your guests:

1. Moscow mule punch

Moscow Mule’s are very popular, and they’re easy to make. Just combine the following into a punch bowl to serve:

• Ice
• Ginger beer
• Vodka
• Lime juice
• Mint leaves
• Limes

2. Mojitos

Mojitos are a citrus treat and easy to make and only consist of five ingredients:

• Limes (about 6)
• Granulated sugar
• Mint sprigs
• Ice
• White rum
• Sparkling water

3. Frozen margarita

Margarita’s are a refreshing treat for your guests to enjoy at a party:

• Tequila
• Triple sec
• Lime juice
• Sugar syrup
• Ice
• Limes to garnish

4. Sangria

Sangrias are a classic and easy option to prepare for a party. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Oranges
• Pears
• Lemons
• Red berries
• Caster sugar
• Cinnamon
• Ice
• Bottle of red wine
• Spanish brandy
• Sparkling water

5. Dirty martini

If your party is a little more formal, consider adding a classic martini option:

• Green olives, pitted,  and the brine
• Ice
• London dry gin
• Dry vermouth

6. Cosmopolitan

For parties where you just have some girlfriends over, considering offering cosmopolitan’s for a sweet and sour flavor:

• Lemon vodka
• Triple sec
• Cranberry juice
• Lime juice
• Ice
• Orange zest or lime wedge to add on the rim of the glass to garnish

7. Daiquiri

If you’re pressed for time, the ingredient list is short, and the mix is easy for serving daiquiris:

• White rum
• Lime juice
• Sugar syrup
• Ice

8. Tequila sunrise

If you’re hosting a morning party, consider offering the following Tequila Sunrise recipe for a morning cocktail:

• Grenadine
• Ice
• Tequila
• Triple sec
• 1 large orange, or 2 small ones, juiced
• Juiced lemon
• Cocktail cherry

9. Mimosa

Another classic morning party drink idea consists of the following recipe that only consists of two ingredients:

• Sparkling wine
• Orange Juice

10. Vodka and cranberry blush

For an elegant dinner cocktail, consider putting together the following recipe:

• Vodka
• Cointreau
• Cranberry juice
• Orange juice
• Lime strips from the peel
• Crushed ice to serve

10 nonalcoholic party drink ideas to consider

Here are 10 nonalcoholic party drink ideas to consider serving your guests.

1. Shirley temple

It wouldn’t be a cocktail party without a Shirley Temple! Here’s what you need to create this timeless drink:

• Ice
• Lemon-lime soda
• Grenadine
• Maraschino cherries

2. Cranberry Limeade

Cranberries and lime juice can create the ultimate refreshing mocktail. Here’s what you need to make the delicious drink:

• Water
• Sugar
• Cranberry juice
• Lime juice
• Lime for slices and zest
• Ice cubes

3. Lemon fruit punch

While there are many ingredients to prepare this punch, this lemon fruit punch will be a hit with guests on a warm hot day.

• Sugar
• Lemon juice
• White grape juice
• Club soda
• Orange
• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Ice cubes

4. Lemon basil mocktail mojito

Lemon provides the perfect tartness for a refreshing drink. Here’s the ingredient list for this tasty mocktail mojito.

• Sugar
• Water
• Fresh basil leaves
• Crushed ice
• Club soda
• Lemon wedges to garnish

 5. Raspberry fizz

For guests who enjoy grapefruit tartness but love the sweetness of raspberries, the Raspberry Fizz mocktail is the perfect combo! Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this at your next cocktail night.

• Ruby red grapefruit juice
• Raspberry flavoring syrup
• Ice cubes
• Club soda

6. Blackberry shrub

For the guests with a fruity craving, the blackberry shrub is perfect, and it’s the ideal festive mocktail to serve for a variety of holiday parties. Here’s what you’ll need to make this drink:

• Fresh or frozen blackberries
• Cinnamon stick
• Cider vinegar
• Sugar
• Water

7. Lemonade

Lemonade is the ultimate classic nonalcoholic beverage to enjoy at a party, especially if the weather is warm. Here’s what you need to make some lemonade:

• Water
• Sugar
• Honey
• Lemon juice
• Ice cubes

8. Sweet iced tea

Another classic nonalcoholic drink to enjoy, especially on a hot day, is sweet iced tea. Here’s what you need to make this delicious drink:

• Water
• Teabags
• Granulated sugar
• Garnish with lemon wedges

You can also pick up an iced tea mix for ease.

9. Watermelon strawberry cooler

Combining watermelon and a mix of berries will create a refreshing and hydrating mocktail for guests. Here’s what you need to mix this drink:

• Water
• Lemon juice
• Cubed watermelon
• Fresh strawberries or raspberries
• Sugar

10. Cranberry and grape spritzer

The cranberry and grape spritzer is easy to make since it only has a few ingredients to combine. It’s also vibrant in color and the perfect refreshing mocktail to offer your guests. Here’s what you need to make this treat:

• Cranberry-apple juice
• Grape juice
• Club soda
• Lemon slices

How to dress up your drinks for your party

Dressing up your cocktails or mocktails will offer a beautiful presentation to guests. It’s also relatively easy to do. You can dress up your drinks for your party in the following ways:

• Fine glassware that offers an excellent presentation. For example, select a specific glass for the drink or pick up a colorful glassware set.
• Provide garnishes on the side like fruit, herbs, or sprigs.
• Select colorful fruits in the ingredients for the drinks.
• Pair the drinks with colorful straws, select an umbrella, or add in an edible stir stick to accompany the drink.

Final thoughts on party drink ideas

You can shop for party drink options through Instacart. Instacart makes it highly convenient to shop by offering same-day pick-up or delivery to help with your busy schedule. You can also have your shopper place your order at the door, and they’ll let you know once it arrives.

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