What’s the Best Cocktail to Impress Guests at a Dinner Party?

Throwing a dinner party can be a daunting task. You want to ensure that every aspect of the evening is perfect, from the food to the décor to the drinks. Speaking of drinks, what’s the best cocktail to impress guests at a dinner party? There are countless options to choose from, but we’ve narrowed it down to a few tried and true classics that are sure to impress.

The Old Fashioned

Let’s start with a classic. The Old Fashioned has been a popular cocktail for over a century and for good reason. It’s simple yet sophisticated, and it’s sure to impress your guests.

To make an Old Fashioned, you’ll need:

2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
1 sugar cube
2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
1 orange peel
1 maraschino cherry (optional)

To make the cocktail, place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass and add the bitters. Use a muddler to crush the sugar cube until it’s dissolved in the bitters. Add the whiskey and stir. Add a large ice cube, then garnish with the orange peel and cherry, if desired.

The Martini

The Martini is another classic cocktail that’s sure to impress your guests. It’s simple yet elegant and is a staple at any sophisticated dinner party.

To make a Martini, you’ll need:

2 1/2 oz gin or vodka
1/2 oz dry vermouth
Lemon twist or olive for garnish

To make the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin or vodka and dry vermouth and stir until chilled. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist or olive.

The Margarita

If you’re looking for a cocktail that’s a bit more festive, the Margarita is a great choice. It’s a popular party drink that’s easy to make and always hits the spot.

To make a Margarita, you’ll need:

2 oz tequila
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec
Salt for rimming the glass (optional)
Lime wedge for garnish

To make the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, and triple sec and shake until chilled. Rim a glass with salt, if desired, then strain the mixture into the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

The Dark and Stormy

The Dark and Stormy is a great cocktail for a dinner party with a tropical theme. It’s easy to make, and the combination of ginger beer and dark rum is sure to impress your guests.

To make a Dark and Stormy, you’ll need:

2 oz dark rum
4 oz ginger beer
Lime wedge for garnish

To make the cocktail, fill a glass with ice. Add the rum, then top with ginger beer. Give the cocktail a quick stir, then garnish with a lime wedge.

The Sidecar

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail that’s both sweet and sour. It’s a refreshing option for a dinner party and is a great choice for those who prefer their drinks on the sweeter side.

To make a Sidecar, you’ll need:

2 oz cognac or brandy
1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
3/4 oz lemon juice
Sugar for rimming the glass (optional)
Lemon twist for garnish

To make the cocktail, rim a glass with sugar, if desired. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the cognac or brandy, Cointreau or triple sec, and lemon juice and shake until chilled. Strain the mixture into the glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

The Negroni

The Negroni is a cocktail that’s been growing in popularity in recent years. It’s a sophisticated drink that’s perfect for a dinner party with a refined crowd.

To make a Negroni, you’ll need:

1 oz gin
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz Campari
Orange peel for garnish

To make the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari and stir until chilled. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange peel.

The Whiskey Sour

Rounding off our list of best cocktails to impress your guests at a dinner party is the Whiskey Sour. It’s a classic cocktail that’s perfect for those who like their drinks on the sour side and is a great option for those who prefer whiskey over other spirits.

To make a Whiskey Sour, you’ll need:

2 oz whiskey
3/4 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Lemon wedge and cherry for garnish (optional)

To make the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup and shake until chilled. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice and, if desired, garnish with a lemon wedge and cherry.

Conclusion

There you have it, our top picks for the best cocktails to impress your guests at a dinner party. No matter what your preferences are, there’s a cocktail on this list for everyone. Remember, the key to impressing your guests is to prepare the cocktails ahead of time, so you’re not working behind the bar all night. Make sure to also have plenty of ice, glasses, and garnishes on hand. Cheers!

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