The Best Cocktails to Serve at a Dinner Party
Serving cocktails at a dinner party is more important than you might think. They’re a great conversation starter, and the perfect distraction if the food didn’t quite work out. If the beef is slightly overcooked, or the chocolate mousse didn’t quite set in time, no one will complain if you have plenty of liqueur. Running out of booze on the other hand is a cardinal offense!
The secret to a smashing dinner party is all in preparation. After all, in the wise word of Benjamin Franklin, “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. So roll those sleeves up, let’s get cracking!
Here are our favourite drinks, perfect for any dinner party!
An Espresso Martini
The espresso martini is a cold, coffee-flavoured cocktail made with vodka, espresso coffee, and coffee liqueur. Whilst it’s not a true martini as it contains neither gin nor vermouth, it’s still a world-class drink and an absolute Honeycomb House favourite. Or take it up a notch and make it a Cappuccino Martini!
Expresso Martini Ingredients: Absolut Vodka, Cold Dash Brewed Coffee Liqueur, Black Treacle, Vanilla, Coriander Seed, Fresh Espresso
Cappuccino Martini Ingredients: Absolut Vodka, Cold Dash Brewed Coffee Liqueur, Cows Milk, Cocoa, Fresh Espresso
An Old Fashioned
Made by muddling sugar with bitters and water, adding whiskey, and garnishing with an orange slice and a cocktail cherry. Of course, an Old Fashioned wouldn’t be complete without an old fashioned glass – picture low ball tumbler. Oh and don’t forget to serve on the rocks; poured over ice.
Old Fashioned Ingredients: Bulleit Bourbon, Demerara Sugar, Orange Bitters, Aromatic Bitters
A Blood Orange Margherita
A subtly sweet orange that has been infused with tangy red grapefruit and hints of tart cherries and raspberries. Don’t forget to rub the rim of the glass with the lime slice to make the salt stick to it.
Blood Orange Ingredients: Tequila, Lime, Blood Orange, Triple Sec, Cinnamon
A Classic Mojito
Mojito is a traditional Cuban highball. Its combination of sweetness, citrus, and herbaceous mint flavours is intended to complement the rum, and has made the mojito a popular summer drink! Top tip, don’t hold back on the mint in this one! The mint, the more the better…
Mojito Ingredients: Havana 3 Year Old White Rum, Lime, Mint, Sugar, Soda
A Cosmopolitan
A cosmopolitan, or informally a cosmo, is a cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice.
Cosmopolitan Ingredients: Absolut Cranberry Vodka, Triple Sec, Cranberry, Lime, Orange
A Spiced Apple Teaser
One for designated drivers or non-drinkers, the Spiced Apple Teaser it a perfect autumnal cocktail with sweet apples and a twist of ginger. An easy cocktail, which is equally delicious served warm.
Spiced Apple Ingredients: Apple, Vanilla, Ginger, Lime, Soda
A Dark & Stormy
No dinner party would be complete without a Dark & Stormy to end the night. A Dark ’n’ Stormy is a highball cocktail made with dark rum and ginger beer served over ice and garnished with a slice of lime. Lime juice and simple syrup are also a delightful addition if you want to add a little extra…
Dark ‘N’ Stormy Ingredients: Captain Morgan’s Dark Rum, Fresh Ginger Beer, Lime, Aromatic Bitters, Soda
