15 best Birthday
Cocktails & mocktails
WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT
Gearing up for a birthday celebration and need some drink ideas? We’ve got the ultimate birthday drinks list for you. Our handpicked cocktails and mocktails, including classic drinks and party-pleasers will prove you’re not just a year older but also a home bartending superstar.
Trust us, whether you’re throwing a lunch, an evening cocktail party, or a day party in the sun, a well-curated drink menu goes a long way to creating a memorable birthday.
So, what is a good drink for a birthday? That comes down to personal preference of course! Below, we present to you the 15 best birthday cocktails and mocktails we know you’re gonna love and are sure to impress.
Now, let’s raise a glass and party like it’s your birthday—well, because it is!
1. Strawberry Daiquiri
Just like there are countless ways to celebrate your birthday, there are endless flavors of Daiquiris. But the most beloved of all is arguably the Strawberry Daiquiri.
Serve this at your birthday bash and watch your guests’ jaws drop. Made with Light Rum, muddled Strawberries, Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice, and a splash of Simple Syrup, it’s both delicious and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Have you ever met anyone who doesn’t love a Strawberry Daiquiri? Neither have we. Take a look at our Strawberry Daiquiri recipe.
2. Amaretto Sour
The Amaretto Sour could just be the ultimate birthday cocktail. Why? Because it tastes like Marzipan icing on a cake!
Its rich, Marzipan flavor comes from Amaretto (Almond Liqueur), which mixes beautifully with tart Lemon Juice and the sweetness of Simple Syrup. Together with its frothy head and velvety texture made from Egg White or Aquafaba, you’ve got one smooth, decadent cocktail. Come on, it’s your birthday! Here’s how to make an Amaretto Sour.
3. Mojito
What’s the next best thing to celebrating your birthday in warm weather? Pretending you are.
The Mojito is one of the most popular cocktails in the world and if you’ve ever sipped one, you already know why. It’s like walking through the streets of Havana. This classic cocktail mixes Havana Club Light Rum, Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice, Mint Leaves, Simple Syrup and bubbly Soda Water to perfection.
So, even if the sun isn’t shining on your birthday, when you’re sipping on a Mojito, you’ll feel like it is. Learn how to make a Mojito.
WATCH RICO SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE THE WORLD’S BEST MOJITO
4. Old Fashioned
While its legendary status might seem intimidating, an Old Fashioned is surprisingly simple to make—so easy, in fact, that you can let your guests make their own. Seriously, set up a DIY Old Fashioned drink station!
The Old Fashioned is a built drink, meaning it’s made directly in the glass. No fancy home bartending tools and no shakers equals no mess. Your guests can simply pour and stir the ingredients themselves!
A classic Old Fashioned mixes Bourbon, Simple Syrup, a few dashes of Angostura Bitters and garnished with Orange Zest, resulting in a stiff drink that’s rich, smooth, and satisfying. Here’s to becoming another year older, and another year bolder. Discover our Old Fashioned cocktail recipe.
5. Appletini
Get ready to party like it’s 1999! Even if the Appletini peaked a few decades ago, this classic cocktail still deserves a spot on every birthday cocktail menu.
A mix of Absolut Vodka, Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Apple Liqueur, and fresh Apple Juice, the Appletini is the ultimate throwback treat that never goes out of style. Trust us, it’s apple-solutely delicious. Learn how to make an Appletini with our cocktail recipe.
WATCH RICO MAKE A CLASSIC APPLETINI
6. Mint Julep
If you’re lucky enough to have a birthday during one of the warmer months, then you gotta serve the Mint Julep.
A classic cocktail made with just four ingredients—Bourbon, Mint Leaves, Simple Syrup, and Crushed Ice – the Mint Julep is like a cool breeze on a hot day, blending fresh minty goodness with the smooth, caramel notes of Bourbon.
Move your party outside, sip on a Mint Julep and you’ve got all the ingredients for a great birthday party! Here’s how to make a Mint Julep.
7. Paloma
Here’s another cocktail that everyone just loves. And we get it. The Paloma isn’t just another Tequila drink, “It’s the number one Tequila-based cocktail coming out of Mexico,” shares Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.
Mixing Tequila Blanco and Grapefruit Soda, garnished with a Lime Wedge and served in a Salt-Rimmed Glass, the Paloma is an easy to make cocktail and even easier to impress your guests with. Oh, and if you’re looking for the perfect batched cocktail, you can’t beat a Paloma. Here’s how to make a classic Paloma.
WATCH RICO SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT PALOMA
8. Vodka Cranberry
What can we say? We love two-ingredient cocktails, especially when it comes to throwing a big birthday party. Less fuss, more partying, we say.
The Vodka Cranberry is a classic cocktail that blends Absolut Vodka and Sweetened Cranberry Juice. In other words, it’s a celebration of simplicity! Learn how to make a Vodka Cranberry with this easy recipe.
9. Sangria
This beloved Spanish Wine Punch is perfect for birthday parties for numerous reasons: It’s easy to make, it’s delicious and you can make a massive batch and serve it in a Punch Bowl with a Ladle. Let the party begin!
But first, what are the ingredients in Sangria? Well, that depends on who you ask. You see, while everyone agrees that Red Wine and fresh fruit are essential, the ingredients, including the spices from recipe-to-recipe, person-to-person.
However it’s made, wherever there’s Sangria, there’s a party. Check out our Sangria cocktail recipe.
WATCH RICO SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE RED SANGRIA & WHITE SANGRIA
10. Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri
We can’t get enough of the Strawberry Daiquiri so we’re adding another one to the list, this time without the alcohol.
The Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri isn’t just the non-alcoholic take on the classic; it’s a delicious frozen delight in its own right. Made in a Blender with Strawberries, Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice, Crushed Ice, and a touch of Simple Syrup, it’s sweet, it’s tart, it’s a birthday mocktail that’s off the chart. Here’s how to make a Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri.
11. Margarita
Not only is the Margarita the ultimate crowd-pleaser, it’s also incredibly easy to make as a batch cocktail. That’s right, throw together a pitcher or two of this tangy delight in no time means more time to enjoy your birthday festivities and less time stuck in the kitchen mixing drinks. Talk about a birthday win-win!
A classic Margarita mixes the beloved trio – Tequila Blanco, Lime Juice and Triple Sec – and yep, it’s a fiesta alright! Discover our recipe for a classic Margarita.
RICO SHOWS HOW TO MAKE A CLASSIC MARGARITA
12. Mimosa
Now it wouldn’t be a birthday party if there weren’t bubbles! The Mimosa is another two-ingredient classic, mixing Champagne and Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice.
Not only is the Mimosa absolutely peach-alicious, it’s also one of the easiest cocktails to make. Served in a Champagne Flute, the Mimosa instantly brings elegance and celebration to any birthday party. Discover how to make the perfect Mimosa.
13. Bellini
More birthday bubbles! A traditional Bellini is a two-ingredient classic cocktail, mixing Peach Purée and Champagne.
However, we love our Bellinis with the addition of Absolut Vodka. We call it the Absolut Bellini. Trust us, you and your guests are going to love it. Here’s how to make an Absolut Bellini cocktail.
WATCH RICO MAKE A CLASSIC BELLINI
14. Virgin Cosmopolitan
Let’s get some Cosmo vibes going! The Virgin Cosmopolitan is an alcohol-free Cosmo that’s deliciously refreshing with a tart mix of Cranberry Juice, Lime Juice, and Orange Juice, perfectly balanced with a touch of Simple Syrup and Orange Bitters. It’s perfect. It’s oh-so-Cosmo. Discover our delicious Virgin Cosmopolitan recipe.
15. Cosmopolitan
If there was just one cocktail to serve your guests knowing it was going to please everyone, it’s the original Cosmopolitan. “The Cosmo” is one of the most loved and famous modern-day cocktails and always a hit at parties, no matter the occasion.
The tartness of the Cranberry Juice marries perfectly with the sweetness of Triple Sec, and the smooth citrus flavors of Absolut Citron. Sip, sip, hooray! Discover how to make a classic Cosmopolitan.
