The Best Cocktail Recipes from The Kitchen

Celebrate cocktail hour with these go-to drink recipes.

From: Jeff Mauro, Katie Lee Biegel, Marcela Valladolid, Sunny Anderson, and Geoffrey Zakarian

Related To:

Photo By: Anders Krusberg

Photo By: Jason Clairy ©Clairy Productions Inc.

Photo By: Soo-Jeong Kang

Photo By: David Lang ©David Lang

Photo By: Pawel Kaminski

Photo By: Soo-Jeong Kang

Photo By: Todd Plitt

Photo By: Pawel Kaminski

Photo By: Todd Plitt

Photo By: Pawel Kaminski

Photo By: Jason Clairy ©Clairy Productions, Inc.

Rum Punch

Instead of pouring single drinks for a crowd, set up a bowl of GZ's punch. The addition of watermelon puree (marinated in Grand Marnier) will wow family and friends.

Get the Recipe: Rum Punch

Shark-arita

This adults-only frozen treat is a perfect mix of sweet and sour with tequila, lime juice and grenadine.

Get the Recipe: Shark-arita

Frozen Pineapple Treat

You can substitute four cups of frozen pineapple chunks instead of using a whole pineapple for this sweet frozen treat.

Get the Recipe: Frozen Pineapple Treat

Classic Gin Gimlet

It's all about the bright pop of lime juice in this impressive cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Classic Gin Gimlet

Pumpkin Flip

Part dessert and part drink, this bourbon-spiked cocktail is rounded out with fragrant spices and even spoonfuls of pumpkin puree and caramel, so it's full of sweet and seasonal flavors.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Flip

Rumbarb

You might love rhubarb in your pies, but follow GZ's lead and use it to make cocktails, too. He boils it down in a sweet syrup, then pairs it with a splash of pomegranate juice and two kinds of rum.

Get the Recipe: Rumbarb

Unencumbered

Combine cucumber juice and vodka for a drink that's both boozy and refreshing.

Get the Recipe: Unencumbered

Tequila Sunrise

The splash of grenadine adds both flavor and a sunrise-like color to this tequila-orange juice cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Tequila Sunrise

Flaming Lime Drop

These fiery drinks will impress your guests at your next soiree. The caramelized sugar cube gives these boozy shots a touch of welcome sweetness.

Get the Recipe: Flaming Lime Drop

Strawberry Ginger Daiquiri

Adding a tablespoon of ginger gives this sweet frozen drink an unexpected bite.

Get the Recipe: Strawberry Ginger Daquiri

White Wine Spritzer

The classic combo of white wine and club soda is both light and refreshing.

Get the Recipe: White Wine Spritzer

Smokin’ Lemon

Using charred lemons and a smoky Scotch in this cocktail lends a warmth to the drink, while Prosecco and simple syrup help to brighten and sweeten it.

Get the Recipe: Smokin Lemon

Perfect Gin and Tonic

It doesn’t get simpler than a classic gin and tonic, and GZ's recipe delivers tried-and-true results every time.

Get the Recipe: Perfect Gin and Tonic

Pina Perfected

Geoffrey brightens up this tequila-based pineapple drink with sprigs of fresh rosemary and a splash of bubbly Prosecco.

Get the Recipe: Pina Perfected

Whiskey-Stout Chocolate Ice Cream Float

The natural chocolatey flavor in stout pairs well with the rich chocolate ice cream in this cooling sipper.

Get the Recipe: Whiskey-Stout Chocolate Ice Cream Float

Classic Whiskey Sour

Aerated egg whites add lightness and serve to balance the tart lemon juice and strong whiskey notes in this classic cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Classic Whiskey Sour

Mango-Raspberry Margarita Float

Tequila, fruity sorbet and lemon-lime soda are the only ingredients you need to make this frozen margarita. Bonus: no blender required.

Get the Recipe: Mango-Raspberry Margarita Float

Beergarita

Why choose between a beer and a margarita when you can have both? Geoffrey mixes tequila, agave nectar and fresh lime juice to make the “’rita” base of this cocktail, before adding a refreshing Mexican beer to the mix.

Get the Recipe: Beergarita

Burnt Alaska

For a boozy twist on this classic creamy dessert, Geoffrey mixes rum and sherry with rocky road ice cream for an adults-only treat.

Get the Recipe: Burnt Alaska

Sparkling Peach Tea

Geoffrey upgrades the classic Bellini by using pureed peaches as the base, and then tops the fruity blend with Prosecco for a fizzy finish.

Get the Recipe: Sparkling Peach Tea

Classic Manhattan Cocktail

Geoffrey jazzes up this classic cocktail with a splash of absinthe for a drink that Jeff Mauro says “tastes like New York City.”

Get the Recipe: Classic Manhattan Cocktail

Kitchen Sink Cocktail

Use a little of nearly all the clear liquors in your cabinet to make this easy cocktail. Simple syrup adds welcome sweetness, while a splash of lemon-lime soda and a lime wedge brighten up the boozy drink.

Get the Recipe: Kitchen Sink Cocktail

Gold Rush Cocktail

The combination of sweet honey syrup, lemon juice and fresh mint brightens up Geoffrey’s light bourbon cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Gold Rush Cocktail

Appletini

Step back, neon-green appletinis — Geoffrey’s got a fresher twist on this cocktail. The natural sweetness of apple cider perfectly complements applejack brandy, and topping the cocktail with an apple slice adds a fruity finish.

Get the Recipe: Appletini

Bonfire

A shaken egg white adds a rich, frothy texture to Geoffrey's lemon-scented mescal cocktail, while ground cinnamon and nutmeg offer warm flavors.

Get the Recipe: Bonfire

Red Sangria

This colorful sipper is ideal for entertaining, as you can make a big-batch pitcher ahead of time and let guests help themselves to it all night long. Geoffrey adds a splash of sparkling wine — cava — to the cherry-studded sangria for a bubbly finish.

Get the Recipe: GZ's Red Sangria

Bloody Bull Cocktail

For a twist on a classic Bloody Mary, Geoffrey adds tequila, clam juice and horseradish to the classic tomato juice, olive brine and Worcestershire mixture.

Get the Recipe: Bloody Bull Cocktail

Katie’s Twisted Tea

Mint-lemonade ice cubes keep this spiked sweet tea cool without diluting it when they melt.

Get the Recipe: Katie's Twisted Tea

Bourbon Smash

Do as the name suggests and smash the flavors of the lemons, mint and simple syrup together by grinding them in a pestle, then add the bourbon for a bright, refreshing cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Bourbon Smash

Watermelon-Cosmo Punch

Ideal for summertime sipping, this fruity cocktail lets the fresh taste of watermelon puree shine.

Get the Recipe: Watermelon Cosmo Punch

Southside Cocktail

Made with only a handful of ingredients, Geoffrey's impressive-looking gin-lime cocktail comes together quickly in a cocktail shaker. Top with fresh mint for a fragrant garnish.

Get the Recipe: Southside Cocktail

Bloody Mary

For a next-level punch of flavor and subtle heat, Geoffrey adds a mixture of Worcestershire and Sriracha sauces to his tomato juice-based vodka cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Bloody Mary

Grapefruit Margarita

The smoky flavor of chipotle powder-seasoned salt on the rim of the glass complements the bright flavor of grapefruit juice in Geoffrey's go-to margarita.

Get the Recipe: Grapefruit Margarita

Turbo

Start with a base of sweet black-currant liqueur, then add hard cider and lager to create this five-minute cocktail. For an extra-special finish, float a blackberry-threaded rosemary sprig on top.

Get the Recipe: Turbo

The Lambs Cup

Made with a combination of vermouth, elderflower liqueur and gin, Geoffrey's five-minute cocktail boasts a light crimson color, thanks to a smashed raspberry.

Get the Recipe: The Lambs Cup

GZ Fizz

It's best to muddle the cucumber before you pour in the gin and lime juice, so that you release the cucumber's juices, which will complement the slight spice of the ginger beer.

Get the Recipe: GZ Fizz

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The Best Cocktail Recipes from The Kitchen

Related To:

Rum Punch

Shark-arita

Frozen Pineapple Treat

Classic Gin Gimlet

Pumpkin Flip

Rumbarb

Unencumbered

Tequila Sunrise

Flaming Lime Drop

Strawberry Ginger Daiquiri

White Wine Spritzer

Smokin’ Lemon

Perfect Gin and Tonic

Pina Perfected

Whiskey-Stout Chocolate Ice Cream Float

Classic Whiskey Sour

Mango-Raspberry Margarita Float

Beergarita

Burnt Alaska

Sparkling Peach Tea

Classic Manhattan Cocktail

Kitchen Sink Cocktail

Gold Rush Cocktail

Appletini

Bonfire

Red Sangria

Bloody Bull Cocktail

Katie’s Twisted Tea

Bourbon Smash

Watermelon-Cosmo Punch

Southside Cocktail

Bloody Mary

Grapefruit Margarita

Turbo

The Lambs Cup

GZ Fizz

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