58 Cocktail Recipes You Need to Try
Lisa loves trying new drinks of any sort, especially mixed ones. She also loves the social aspect that comes with drinking.
From tequila-based drinks to straight-up shooters and from fruity to spicy, this list is guaranteed to have something on it that you haven't yet tried. They're all very unique and will bring something special to the table each time. I dare you to try them all.
Standard Bar Measures
First thing’s first, let’s make sure we know the basic measurements and types of drink glasses that are commonly used.
- 1 dash (or splash) = 0.03125 oz.
- 1 teaspoon = 0.125 oz.
- 1 tablespoon = 0.375 oz.
- 1 pony = 1 oz.
- 1 jigger = 1.5 oz.
- 1 wineglass = 4 oz.
- 1 split = oz.
- 1 cup = 8 oz.
Standard Drinkware







Tequila Drinks
Alamo Splash
- 1.5 oz. Tequila
- 1 oz. Orange Juice
- 0.5 oz. Pineapple Juice
- 1 Splash Lemon-Lime Soda
Instructions: Mix with crushed ice and strain into a Tom Collins glass.
Red Hooter
- 1 oz. Tequila
- 0.75 oz. Amaretto
- Pineapple Juice
- 1 oz. Grenadine
Instructions: Pour tequila and amaretto over ice in a Tom Collins glass. Fill with pineapple juice, topped with grenadine, and garnished with cherry.
Blue Margarita
- 1.5 oz. Tequila
- 0.5 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
Instructions: Encircle rim of cocktail glass with lime juice, then dip rim in coarse salt. Pour ingredients over crushed ice, shake, then strain into a cocktail glass.
Cactus Berry
- 1.25 oz. Tequila
- 1.25 oz. Red Wine
- 1 oz. Triple Sec
- 6.5 oz. Sour Mix
- 1 splash Lemon-Lime Soda
- 1 dash Lime Juice
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and pour into a salt-rimmed cocktail glass.
Catalina Margarita
- 1.5 oz. Tequila
- 1 oz. Peach Schnapps
- 1 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 4 oz. Sour Mix
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and pour into a salt-rimmed cocktail glass.
Hairy Sunrise
- 0.75 oz. Tequila
- 0.75 oz. Vodka
- 0.5 oz. Triple Sec
- 3 oz. Orange Juice
- 2 - 3 dashes Grenadine
Instructions: Mix all ingredients, excluding the grenadine, in a blender. Pour blended mixture into a Tom Collins glass, and top off with grenadine and a slice of lime.
Hot Pants
- 1.5 oz. Tequila
- 0.5 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
- 1 tbsp. Grapefruit Juice
- 1 tsp. Powdered Sugar
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice, and then pour into an old-fashioned glass rimmed with salt.
Margarita
- 1.5 oz. Tequila
- 0.5 oz. Triple Sec
- 1 oz. Lemon or Lime Juice
Instructions: Cover the rim of the cocktail glass with a lemon or lime wedge’s juice, then dip the rim into salt. Shake the ingredients with ice and then strain into the glass.
Mexican Madras
- 3 oz. Cranberry Juice
- 0.5 oz. Orange Juice
- 1 oz. Gold Tequila
- 1 dash Lime Juice
Instructions: Pour all ingredients into a shaker half-filled with ice. Shake well, and strain into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange slice.
Purple Pancho
- 1 oz. Tequila
- 0.5 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 0.5 oz. Sloe Gin
- 2 oz. Lime Juice
- 2 oz. Sour Mix
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and pout into a salt-rimmed cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Silk Stockings
- 1.5 oz. Tequila
- 1 oz. Crème de Cacao
- 1.5 oz. Cream
- 1 dash Grenadine
Instructions: Shake ingredients with crushed ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and finish it off with some sprinkled cinnamon on the top.
Tijuana Taxi
- 2 oz. Tequila
- 1 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 1 oz. Tropical Fruit Schnapps
- Lemon-Lime Soda
Instructions: Pour the tequila, curaçao, and schnapps over crushed ice in a Tom Collins glass. Fill with lemon-lime soda and then garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
Vodka Drinks
Beer Buster
- 1.5 oz. 100 Proof Vodka
- Chilled Beer or Ale
- 2 dashes of Tabasco Sauce
Instructions: Pour the vodka into a highball glass and then fill with the beer or ale. Add the dashes of Tabasco sauce, then stir lightly.
Black Russian
- 1.5 oz. Vodka
- 0.75 oz. Coffee Liqueur
Instructions: Pour over crushed ice into an old-fashioned glass.
Bull Frog
- 1.5 oz. Vodka
- 5 oz. Lemonade
Instructions: Pour over crushed ice in a Tom Collins glass, then garnish with a slice of lime.
Cape Codder
- 1.5 oz. Vodka
- 5 oz. Cranberry Juice
Instructions: Pour ingredients into a highball glass containing crushed ice. Stir vigorously, then garnish with a lime wedge.
Citronella Cooler
- 1.5 oz. Vodka
- 1 dash Lime Juice
- 2 oz. Lemonade
- 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
Instructions: Pour ingredients into a highball glass containing crushed ice. Stir vigorously, then garnish with a lime wedge.
Crocodile Cooler
- 1.5 oz. Citrus Vodka
- 1 oz. Melon Liqueur
- 0.75 oz. Triple Sec
- 2 oz. Sour Mix
- Lemon-Lime Soda
Instructions: Pour all ingredients, excluding the soda, into a hurricane glass filled with crushed ice. Add the lemon-lime soda and stir, garnishing it with a cherry or lemon wedge.
Desert Sunrise
- 1.25 oz. Vodka
- 1.5 oz. Orange Juice
- 1.5 oz. Pineapple Juice
- 1 dash Grenadine
Instructions: Pour ingredients over crushed ice in a Tom Collins glass and top off with grenadine.
Electric Jam
- 1.25 oz. Vodka
- 0.5 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 2 oz. Sour Mix
- Lemon-Lime Soda
Instructions: Pour ingredients over crushed ice into a Tom Collins glass. Top off with the lemon-lime soda.
Handball Cooler
- 1.5 oz. Vodka
- Club Soda
- 1 splash Orange Juice
Instructions: Pour the vodka over crushed ice in a highball glass. Fill almost to the top with club soda, and then fill the remaining space with orange juice, stirring vigorously. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Harvey Wallbanger
- 1 oz. Vodka
- 4 oz. Orange Juice
- 0.5 oz. Galliano
Instructions: Pour both the vodka and orange juice over crushed ice in a Tom Collins glass. Stir vigorously, then float Galliano at the top.
Long Island Iced Tea
- 0.5 oz. Vodka
- 0.5 oz. Gin
- 0.5 oz. Light Rum
- 0.5 oz. Tequila
- Juice of ½ a lemon
- 1 dash of Cola
Instructions: Pour ingredients over crushed ice in a highball glass. Add Cola for colour and garnish with a lemon.
Pink Lemonade
- 1.5 oz. Citrus Vodka
- 1 splash of Triple Sec
- 1 splash Lime Juice
- 2 oz. Sour Mix
- 2 oz. Cranberry Juice
Instructions: Pour ingredients over crushed ice into a Tom Collins glass. Shake, then garnish with a lemon wedge.
Gin Drinks
Alabama Fizz
- Juice of ½ a Lemon
- 1 tsp. Powdered Sugar
- 2 oz. Gin
- Club Soda
Instructions: Shake ingredients, excluding the soda, with crushed ice, then strain into a highball glass. Fill the remaining space with club soda and garnish with 2 sprigs of fresh mint.
Chelsea Sidecar
- Juice of ¼ a Lemon
- 0.75 oz. Triple Sec
- 0.75 oz. Gin
Instructions: Shake ingredients with crushed ice, then strain into a cocktail glass.
Diamond Fizz
- Juice of ½ a Lemon
- 1 tsp. Powdered Sugar
- 2 oz. Gin
- Chilled Champagne
Instructions: Shake ingredients, excluding the champagne, with crushed ice and strain into a highball glass containing 2 cubes of ice. Fill the remaining space with champagne and stir vigorously.
Dry Martini
- 1.75 oz. Gin
- 0.5 oz. Dry Vermouth
Instructions: Mix vermouth and gin in a mixing glass, then strain into a cocktail glass. Serve with a twist of lemon peel or olive.
Fallen Angel
- Juice of 1 Lime or ½ a Lemon
- 1.5 oz. Gin
- 1 dash Bitters
- 0.5 tsp. Crème de Menthe (White)
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Floradora Cooler
- Juice of 1 Lime
- 0.5 tsp. Powdered Sugar
- 1 tbsp. Grenadine
- 2 oz. Club Soda or Ginger Ale
- 2 oz. Gin
Instructions: Pour ingredients over crushed ice in a Tom Collins glass. Stir vigorously.
Fog Horn
- Juice of 1 Lime
- 1.5 oz. Gin
- Ginger Ale
Instructions: Pour ingredients, excluding ginger ale, over crushed ice in a highball glass. Top off with the ginger ale and stir. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Gin and Sin
- 1 oz. Gin
- 1 oz. Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp. Orange Juice
- 1 dash Grenadine
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
Rum Runner
- 1.5 oz. Gin
- Juice of 1 Lime
- 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
- 1 tsp. Sugar
- 1 dash Bitters
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain over ice cubes into an old-fashioned glass rimmed with salt.
Frozen Drinks
Blushin’ Russian
- 1 oz. Coffee Liqueur
- 0.25 oz. Vodka
- 1 scoop Vanilla Ice Cream
- 4 Large Fresh Strawberries
Instructions: Combine ingredients in a blender and blend smoothly. Pour into a hurricane glass and then garnish with a chocolate-covered strawberry.
Blue Cloud Cocktail
- 1 oz. Amaretto
- 0.5 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 2 oz. Vanilla Ice Cream
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend smoothly. Pour into a hurricane glass, then top with whipped cream and a strawberry.
Blue Velvet
- 1 oz. Black Raspberry Liqueur
- 1 oz. Melon Liqueur
- 4 oz. Vanilla Ice Cream
- Blue Curaçao
Instructions: Mix all ingredients, excluding the curaçao, into a blender with crushed ice and blend smoothly. Pour into a hurricane glass and top with whipped cream drizzled with curaçao. Top off with a cherry.
Canyon Quake
- 0.75 oz. Irish Cream Liqueur
- 0.75 oz. Brandy
- 1 oz. Amaretto
- 2 oz. Light Cream
Instructions: Mix ingredients in a blender with crushed ice and blend smoothly. Pour into a large wine glass.
Cranberry Cooler
- 1.5 oz. Bourbon
- 1.5 oz. Cranberry Juice
- 0.5 oz. Lime Juice
- 1 tsp. Sugar
Instructions: Mix ingredients in a blender with 1 cup of crushed ice and blend smoothly. Pour into a hurricane glass.
Creamy Gin Sour
- 0.5 cup Gin
- 0.5 cup Lime Juice
- 0.5 cup Lemon Juice
- 0.5 cup Heavy Cream
- 0.25 cup Triple Sec
- 1 tbsp. Sugar
- 10 oz. Club Soda
Instructions: Mix ingredients in a blender with 0.75 cup of crushed ice and blend to froth. Pour into large wine glass. Makes 4 - 6 servings.
Citron Neon
- 1.5 oz. Citrus Vodka
- 1 oz. Melon Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 0.5 oz. Lime Juice
- 1 oz. Sour Mix
Instructions: Mix ingredients in a blender with crushed ice and blend smoothly. Pour into a hurricane glass, and garnish with a lemon wedge and cherry.
Frozen Daiquiri
- 1.5 oz. Light Rum
- 1 tbsp. Triple Sec
- 1.5 oz. Lime Juice
- 1 tsp. Sugar
Instructions: Mix ingredients in a blender with 1 cup of crushed ice and blend on low speed for 5 seconds, then on high speed until smooth. Pour into a wine glass and top with a cherry.
Frozen Fuzzy
- 1 oz. Peach Schnapps
- 0.5 oz. Triple Sec
- 0.5 oz. Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz. Grenadine
- 1 splash Lemon-Lime Soda
Instructions: Mix all ingredients into a blender, fill with crushed ice to reach level of liquid and blend smoothly. Pour into a wine glass and garnish with a lemon or lime wedge.
Shooter Drinks
Affair
- 1 oz. Strawberry Schnapps
- 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
- 1 oz. Orange Juice
Instructions: Stir with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
B-52
- 0.5 oz. Coffee Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Irish Cream Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Grand Marnier
Instructions: Pour CAREFULLY into a shot glass in order given to ensure that each ingredient floats on top of the preceding ingredient.
Between-The-Sheets
- Juice of ¼ a Lemon
- 0.5 oz. Brandy
- 0.5 oz. Triple Sec
- 0.5 oz. Light Rum
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
Buzzard’s Breath
- 0.5 oz. Amaretto
- 0.5 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
- 0.5 oz. Coffee Liqueur
Instructions: Stir with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
C. C. Kazi
- 1.25 oz. Tequila
- 2 oz. Cranberry Juice
- 1 tsp. Lime Juice
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
Galactic Ale
- 1.25 oz. Vodka
- 1.25 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz. Black Raspberry Liqueur
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass. Makes 2 servings.
Green Demon
- 0.5 oz. Vodka
- 0.5 oz. Rum
- 0.5 oz. Melon Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Lemonade
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
Johnny Beach
- 1.5 oz. Vodka
- 1 oz. Melon Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Pineapple Juice
- 0.5 oz. Orange Juice
- 1 oz. Black Raspberry Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Grapefruit Juice
- 0.5 oz. Cranberry Juice
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass. Makes 2 servings.
Kamikaze
- 0.5 oz. Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz. Triple Sec
- 0.5 oz. Vodka
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
Lemon Drop
- 1.5 oz. Vodka
- Lemon Wedge
- Sugar
Instructions: Shake the vodka with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass. Dip each side of lemon wedge in sugar. Shoot the vodka immediately and follow with a bite into the lemon wedge.
Parisian Blonde
- 0.75 oz. Light Rum
- 0.75 oz. Triple Sec
- 0.75 oz. Jamaican Rum
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
Purple Hooter
- 1.5 oz. Citrus Vodka
- 0.5 oz. Triple Sec
- 0.25 oz. Black Raspberry Liqueur
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a chilled shot glass.
Rocky Mountain
- 1 oz. Southern Comfort
- 1 oz. Amaretto
- 0.5 oz. Lime Juice
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
Sex on the Beach
- 0.5 oz. Black Raspberry Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Melon Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Vodka
- 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
- Cranberry Juice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients, excluding the cranberry juice, with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass. Top off with the cranberry juice.
Sour Apple
- 0.75 oz. Vodka
- 0.75 oz. Apple Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Melon Liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
Woo Woo
- 0.5 oz. Peach Schnapps
- 0.5 oz. Vodka
- 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
Instructions: Shake with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.
© 2020 Lisa Hallam
Comments
Farrah Young from Lagos, Nigeria on June 27, 2020:
Great list. Some of these names are enticing enough to make you want to try them.