37 Birthday co*cktails That'll Help You Celebrate (2024)

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Updated: Mar. 19, 2024

We may be biased, but these birthday co*cktails are the best way to celebrate someone's special day!

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Chocolate Cake Martini

Is it a beverage or a dessert? Don’t let its looks fool you, this chocolate cake martini is potent, but good!—Deb Williams, Peoria, Arizona

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Margarita Float co*cktails

If you’re not so into birthday cake, this creamy ice cream co*cktail is the perfect substitution. It will really take your party to the next level. —Teri Lee Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

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Passion Fruit Hurricanes

This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that’s so popular in New Orleans. Whip up a batch for your next party! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

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Cotton Candy Champagne co*cktails

You’ll love celebrating with these whimsical champagne co*cktails. The cotton candy melts away, leaving behind its pretty pink color. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Basil Citrus co*cktail

Fruity, fantastic and lighter in calories, this basil co*cktail is a great way to offset all that cake! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Ginger Mint Julep co*cktail

Mint juleps aren’t just for Kentucky Derby day! Enjoy one while gathering with friends for a birthday party or luncheon. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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Salty Dog Sangria

Mix up grapefruit vodka, ginger ale, grapefruit juice, a little wine and simple syrup and what do you get? A perfectly refreshing and beautiful sipper fit for a birthday party or special gathering. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri

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Blueberry Mojitos

Blueberry and lime are two of my favorite flavors, so I added blueberries to my favorite mixed drink! This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. To make simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for a week.—Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois

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Orange Razzletini co*cktails

We combined orange juice and raspberry rum to create this fruity martini. The sunny, bright color is perfect for a party.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Rosemary Strawberry Daiquiri

This strawberry daiquiri recipe is a standout with its herbal twist! I used to teach herb classes at our local technical college and everyone enjoyed my segment on herbal co*cktails like this one. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

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Rubies on Ice co*cktails

Ginger and pomegranate are made for each other, and the color of this beverage is tantalizing. If you’re looking for a nonalcoholic option, you can easily leave out the vodka for a delicious and fun drink! —Tara Deshpande, New York, New York

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Sparkling Peach Bellinis

Folks will savor the subtle peach flavor in this elegant beverage. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Classic Margarita

A classic margarita recipe doesn’t need anything other than tequila, Triple Sec and fresh lime juice. When you’re making the co*cktail, make sure you squeeze the limes correctly for the ultimate freshness. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

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Blackberry Beer co*cktail

This refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida

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Apple Amaretto Sours

An amaretto sour had always been one of my favorite co*cktails. This version has a special touch that makes it perfect for enjoying throughout the fall. —Amber Forbes, Roper, North Carolina

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Paloma

Soon after I learned about this co*cktail, I brought the ingredients to a family birthday party at my parents’. The next time we got together, my dad had the fixings set out and ready to go. —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Chocolate Martini

The variations on martinis seem endless. But this sweet chocolate martini recipe is both creative and sophisticated in taste and presentation. It’s a great way to end a birthday party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Pina Colada

Velvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics are what this tropical drink delivers. The easy-to-make pina colada recipe can be mixed and chilled ahead of time. When ready to serve, just blend for a creamy and delicious beverage. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

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Mojito

Traditional mojitos are made with rum, which is both pleasant and mildly sweet. If you want a new spin on the classic mojito recipe, try using tequila for tart, yet refreshing flavor.—James Schend, Dairy Freed

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Pomegranate Cosmo

Every party needs a signature drink. Sugar dresses up this simple cosmo that lets you enjoy an evening with friends and still shake things up. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Swedish Rose Spritz co*cktails

A spritz is a still or sparkling wine-based co*cktail served with a small amount of liqueur and a splash of seltzer or soda.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Brandy Slush co*cktails

This slush with a hint of citrus keeps you cool on hot summer days. Even if you're not a tea lover, you'll likely find the mix of flavors pleasing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Cranberry co*cktail

I adore the combination of flavors in this recipe. The secret is to thaw the lemonade so it’s still slightly icy—this way the co*cktail will be cool and refreshing. For a nonalcoholic option, use peach juice and lemon-lime soda instead of schnapps and vodka. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas

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Orange-Apricot Mimosa Punch

We make this punch for about every birthday party, and everyone loves it! I usually triple this recipe for parties and garnish the punch with an orange-tangerine ice ring made several days ahead of time. —Kathy McKay, Acworth, Georgia

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Apple Martini

Sour appletini ingredients steal the show in this icy-cold green apple martini recipe. It’s very refreshing with a nice hint of sour. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Cranberry Sparkler co*cktails

The flavors of this refreshing cran-raspberry co*cktail are great any time of year. In winter, the cranberry makes it a good fit for holiday parties; on a warm summer’s night, the raspberry comes to the fore. It’s a favorite for a birthday party! —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York

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Orange Dream Mimosas

Your inner child will love this fun riff on the classic mimosa. Use sparkling cider, ginger ale or sparkling grape juice for a nonalcoholic version. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

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Guava Coconut Rum co*cktail

My beverage is so sensational it's like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York

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Lemonade co*cktail

Rum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. If you have vodka on hand, try that instead of the rum. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

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Cranberry-Lime Sangria

Tart, light and fruity, this party-worthy sangria is a hit any time of the year. —Katy Joosten, Little Chute, Wisconsin

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Cranberry Orange Mimosas

Mimosas are just so elegant for a birthday celebration. My recipe uses tart cranberries to balance the sweetness of champagne and orange juice. —Shannon Stephens, Lake in the Hills, Illinois

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Frozen Brandy Old-Fashioneds

Both sides of my family are midwestern, so our strong brandy tradition is evident in the slush we make and in the Wisconsin old-fashioned co*cktails we enjoy year-round. I decided to combine those recipes into something completely new. This goes very quickly at gatherings! —Stephanie Vaughan, Madison, Wisconsin

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Luscious Lime Slush

Adults love this sweet-tart refresher anytime of year. For a kids’ version, simply leave out the alcohol. —Bonnie Jost, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Originally Published: June 10, 2020