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Whether you’re clinking glasses at your wedding reception or pouring something special at home for a quiet date night this Valentine's Day, the right drink can set the tone—romantic, playful, and unmistakably you. From bold cocktails to elegant mocktails, today’s most-loved sips celebrate love in all its forms and welcome every guest to the party!
Signature Cocktails with Personality
Couples are increasingly choosing signature cocktails that tell a story. Think his & his, hers & hers, or simply ours—because love doesn’t need labels to be delicious. Popular choices include:
- Lavender Gin Fizz – floral, soft, and endlessly romantic
- Spicy Margarita – for couples who like a little heat
- French 75 – classic, bubbly, and perfect for toasts
- Smoked Old Fashioned – rich and dramatic, perfect for couples who love a bold, classic vibe
- Elderflower Collins – light, floral, and refreshing with gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon, and soda
Adding a sign that shares why you chose each drink (a first date, a shared trip, or a favorite flavor) makes the experience even more personal.
Mocktails that Feel Just as Special
Mocktails have officially shed their “afterthought” status. A well-crafted alcohol-free option shows care for all guests—designated drivers, sober folks, pregnant guests, or anyone who simply prefers not to drink. Crowd-pleasers include:
- Rose Lemonade with Fresh Berries - refreshing, elegant, with a pop of color!
- Cucumber Mint Spritz
- Pomegranate Ginger Fizz
- Blood Orange Spritz – blood orange juice, sparkling water, rosemary garnish
- Hibiscus Iced Tea Cooler – brewed hibiscus tea with honey, citrus, and fresh mint
Serve them in the same glassware as cocktails with fresh garnishes so everyone feels equally celebrated and included in the party vibe!
Make-at-Home Date Night Favorites
For a romantic night in, keep it simple but intentional. Light a candle, put on a shared playlist, and try:
- A Blushing Strawberry Mocktail with muddled berries and sparkling water
- For after-dinner chemistry, mix Vodka, Espresso or cold brew concentrate and Coffee liqueur. Optional cocoa dust or coffee beans - Why it works: Rich, flirty, and great for late-night conversations.
- Pear Vanilla Sparkler – pear nectar, vanilla syrup, and club soda
- Blood Orange Negroni (or Negroni-Inspired), for couples who like bold flavors: Gin, Sweet vermouth, Campari, Blood orange peel - Why it works: Sophisticated and dramatic — ideal for slow sipping and candlelight.
- Lemon Thyme Martini: Clean, modern, and a little seductive: Vodka, Fresh lemon juice, Simple syrup infused with thyme. Optional lemon twist or thyme sprig - Why it works: Fresh herbs instantly make it feel “special occasion.”
- Or a shared pitcher of Sangria-Style Fruit Punch—easy, festive, and perfect for lingering conversations
Love Is the Main Ingredient
Whether your gathering is grand or intimate, queer, straight, or beautifully undefined, drinks are just another way to reflect who you are together. Thoughtful mocktails and playful signature sips send a clear message: everyone is welcome here.
Because at the end of the day, the most romantic sip is the one shared—cheers to love, in every color of the rainbow 🌈🥂
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With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it’s time to set the scene with some seriously
sumptuous cocktails that’ll get those hearts a-fluttering. Whether it’s a flirty first date,
or an intimate night with your partner, The Mixer’s mixologists have rounded up the most
sexy sips that are sure to impress. Throw in some candles and rose petals and you’ll be
winning! -And don't forget, if your wedding is coming up next month, to put in some of these special requests with your reception bar team!
The French Rose Cocktail
The great thing about this three-ingredient cocktail is that it tastes exceptional, but takes
very little effort to make. In fact, there are only two steps to its assembly, so it’s perfect
to make when you want to spend the better part of the evening romancing your partner.
Ingredients per person:
● 1.5 Oz Bulldog gin
● 0.5 Oz Cinzano Bianco dry vermouth
● 0.5 Oz Cherry Brandy
● Ice
Method:
1. Stir all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.
Chocolate Martini
Cocktails for Valentine’s Day don’t come any more indulgent than this. The richness of
crème de cacao, the intense flavor of chocolate liqueur and the smoothness of vodka
match perfectly in one of the most decadent dessert drinks ever invented.
Ingredients per person:
● 1 Oz Skyy vodka
● 1 Oz chocolate liqueur
● 1 Oz crème de cacao
● Cocoa for garnish
Method:
1. Rim a cocktail glass with cocoa: Wet the rim by dipping it in a small dish of the
chocolate liqueur, then dip or roll it in a dish of cocoa powder.
2. Pour the vodka, crème de cacao and chocolate liqueur into a cocktail shaker
filled with ice cubes.
3. Shake vigorously.
4. Strain into the prepared glass and serve.
Sweetheart
This colorful cocktail provides a tasty way to stave off the gloom of a cold February: the
delicious combination of ingredients are guaranteed to warm the proverbial cockles.
Ingredients per person:
● 0.5 oz SKYY vodka
● 0.5 oz Aperol
● 0.5 oz cranberry juice
● 0.25 oz limoncello
● 0.25 oz lemon juice
Method:
1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake until cold, and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with fresh cranberries and serve.
Pink Lady
This sweet, creamy cocktail is very aesthetically pleasing and makes a lovely addition to
any table setting.
Ingredients per person:
● 1.5 oz Bulldog Gin
● 0.5 oz apple brandy
● 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
● 0.5 oz grenadine
● One small egg white
Method:
1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice.
2. Shake for 30 seconds, add ice, then shake for 30 seconds more.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with Maraschino or Luxardo
cherries.
Between the Sheets
Inspired by the Sidecar, this beguiling cocktail is punchy and tart. It’ll certainly add a bit
of zest to your romantic evening.
Ingredients per person:
● 1 oz cognac
● 1 oz Wray & Nephew rum
● 1 oz Grand Marnier
● 0.25 oz lemon juice
Method:
1. Add ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with an orange twist.
Hanky Panky
This sweet gin martini is anything but discreet: the gin makes it a little naughty, while the
sweet vermouth makes it a little nice. But it’s the addition of the Italian amaro (bitters)
that gives the Hanky Panky cocktail its unique and complex flavor.
Ingredients per person:
● 1.5 Oz Bulldog Gin
● 1.5 Oz Cinzano Rosso
● A few dashes of Fernet-Branca
● Ice
● Orange peel, to garnish
Method:
1. Add ice to a mixing glass, followed by the gin, sweet vermouth, and amaro.
2. Stir until nicely chilled (around 30 seconds should do the trick).
3. Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass.
4. Add the orange peel as garnish and enjoy.
Sex On The Beach
Naturally, we had to throw the OG naughty-but-nice drink in the Valentine’s Day mix! A
Sex on the Beach serves up all of the tropical vibes.
Ingredients per person:
● 0.75 Oz peach schnapps
● 1 Oz fresh orange juice
● 1 Oz pineapple juice
● 1.5 Oz SKYY Vodka
● 1 Oz cranberry juice
● 0.5 Oz raspberry liqueur
Method:
1. Shake the peach schnapps, fresh orange juice and pineapple juice in a cocktail
shaker with ice, and strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
2. Shake the SKYY Vodka, cranberry juice and raspberry liqueur with ice and
carefully pour on top of the existing drink layer in the same glass.
3. Serve with a cocktail stirrer to the side so guests can mix the two layers before
they enjoy the drink.
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For more fun & delicious "DRINKSPIRATION"... please visit: https://www.themixer.com/en-us/
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Holiday (and Wedding Reception!) Cocktail Recipes from The Mixer
The holiday season marks the perfect time to spend quality moments with your loved ones, enjoying tasty food and family traditions. When you’ve gone to the trouble of cooking up a feast, you’ll want delicious drinks to match.
The best cocktails are easy to serve when hosting a crowd. The kitchen gets busy, so choose drinks that suit your time frame. Also, serve cocktails that pair well with your holiday or reception menu. Here is our ultimate pick of incredible drinks to serve this holiday season without going into a complete tailspin: after all, you should be relaxing and enjoying time with your loved ones... not stressing over the beverages!
(And remember, these fabulous cocktail ideas can be requested of your bartender during your holiday wedding reception!)
Kir Royale
This French Champagne cocktail (aka Kir Royale) is a New York City favorite and an incredibly simple cocktail to master. You’ll wonder why you’ve waited all this time to try one!
Ingredients (per person)
- 5 Oz blackcurrant liqueur
- 6 Oz Champagne
Method
- Pour creme de cassis in a champagne glass
- Top with Champagne and serve!
Apple Butter Old Fashioned
An Apple Butter Old Fashioned cocktail is packed with the inviting flavors of warm apple pie. Made with real apple butter (just like mama used to make), this fall Old Fashioned drink is perfect as an indulgent drink with your bourbon-loving friends. For this recipe, you’ll be making your own apple butter. Don’t worry, it’s super simple to make because YOLO! And it’s downright delicious. If you have leftovers, you can add it to cheese platters, use it as a glaze for that roast beef dinner or dollop it onto pancakes. Yum!
Hot tip: “Contrary to what the name suggests, apple butter does not contain any butter. It’s basically just a fancy name for apples that have been pureed, spiced and cooked down to give them a butter-like texture. It is easy to make and store in your fridge. Use it in cocktails, to spread on toast, as a glaze on meat or add it to your morning oats.” (Helena Lombard, The Mixer)
Ingredients (per person)
- 5 Oz of Apple cider
- 5 Oz of Wild Turkey Bourbon
- 2 tablespoon of apple butter
- Dash of orange bitters
- Juice of half a lemon
- Ginger beer (to top your glass)
- Coarse cinnamon sugar and simple syrup, for rimming
- Thinly sliced apples and a cinnamon stick, to garnish
Instructions
- Pour some simple syrup on a plate and some coarse cinnamon sugar on another
- Dip the rim of your cocktail glass into the syrup and then into the sugar, twisting to coat, before adding ice cubes to the glass
- Combine the apple cider, apple butter, Wild Turkey, lemon juice and bitters in a cocktail shaker and give it a dry shake (in other words, a shake without ice)
- Shake vigorously until properly combined then strain into your prepared cocktail glass
- Top up with ginger beer and garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice on the rim to serve
Hot Toddy
Looking for warming thanksgiving drinks that are easy to make? A Hot Toddy is an ideal drink as you can let the crockpot do all the work - another thing you can tick off the to-do list!
Ingredients (per person)
- 2 Oz Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey
- 25 Oz Fresh lemon juice
- 2 Teaspoons brown sugar
- 5 Cloves
- Sliced lemon
- Boiling water
Method
- Take a slice of lemon, press the cloves into the lemon round and set aside
- Boil water and fill a mug to the three-quarter mark
- Pour in the whiskey and lemon juice and stir in the sugar until dissolved
- Add the clove-studded lemon wheel and allow to infuse
- Serve in a warmed mug
Mexican Coffee Cocktail
Also known as a Carajillo, this is a classic coffee cocktail that you can make with just a few ingredients. The tequila gives this coffee a decent kick, and the coffee liqueur balances out the flavor and adds sweetness.
Ingredients (per person)
- 5 Oz Espolòn Tequila Reposado
- 1 Oz coffee liqueur
- 5 Oz freshly brewed coffee
- 2 tablespoons whipping cream (optional)
- a dusting of cocoa powder, cinnamon or cayenne pepper (optional)
Method
- Pour the tequila and coffee liqueur into a mug
- Top up with freshly brewed coffee
- Garnish with whipped cream and dusting of your choice, if you want
Bourbon Apple Cider
This spiced cocktail is exactly what you need to warm up your guests on a cold night. This is a full-flavor cocktail, and the sourness of the lemon balances beautifully with the sweet notes of caramel, vanilla and apple.
Ingredients (per person)
- 5 Oz of Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey
- 5 Oz of apple cider
- 5 Oz of Cinzano Vermouth Rosso
- 5 Oz of lemon juice
- 5 Oz of orange bitters
- Apple slices to garnish
- A sprig of thyme to garnish
- Ice
Method
- Add ice to a large mixing glass or cocktail shaker
- Pour in the bourbon, cider, sweet vermouth, lemon juice and bitters
- Stir until chilled (about 30 seconds)
- Strain into any cocktail glass of your choice
- Garnish with a few apple slices and a sprig of thyme
Hot Pumpkin Pie Cocktail
If you love the taste of a pumpkin spice latte, then choose this cocktail as the star of your Thanksgiving feast this year. Serve your Hot Pumpkin Pie cocktails in warmed mugs, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon. As an extra treat, you can serve baked pumpkin pie crusts on the side for some decadent dipping.
Hot tip: “Make pumpkin-infused vodka by mixing together pumpkin puree and spice, with ½ cup of vodka in a large jar. Seal and keep in the fridge for three days before using, shaking it a few times a day.” (Helena Lombard, The Mixer)
Ingredients (for 6 people)
- 2 cups of Irish cream
- ½ a cup vanilla or pumpkin pie vodka
- 4 cups of milk
- 67
- 1 can of pumpkin puree
- 5 teaspoons of pumpkin spice
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon
- Strips of baked pumpkin pie crust to garnish, optional
Method
- Add the Irish cream, vodka, and milk to a pot
- Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat to a slow simmer
- Stir through pumpkin puree and spices until mixed through
- Ladle into warmed glass mugs
- Dollop over some whipped cream
- Dust with cinnamon
- Serve with baked pumpkin pie crusts for dipping
Ready for more delectable ideas?? Visit www.themixer.com for more cocktail inspiration.
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Want to throw a Party that your guests will never forget?
A great frozen Margarita or other frozen drink can make all the difference between a “regular” party and a great party that people remember for months or years. It’s really not hard to make killer frozen drinks. If you just follow these few simple secrets, you’ll be serving drinks you guests will rave about.
1. Ingredients: Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT have to buy the most expensive Liquor in town to make great tasting Frozen Drinks. In fact, the taste of your drink is 95% determined by the mix you use. The drinks are so cold, you won’t taste the difference; so don’t waste your money on the expensive brands! Finally, always make sure you use the best-tasting, quality drink mixes.
2. Location: If you are making frozen drinks for a few guests, using your blender in the kitchen or at a bar will work just fine. Keep in mind the noise and the mess when considering the location options. If you’re entertaining a bigger group, consider renting a Margarita Machine. It will free you up from the blender so you can enjoy your guests! If you are using a Margarita Machine, the noise won’t be a problem, but it might be a bit bulky in your kitchen. The machine should come on a rolling cart. Consider putting it in a doorway to a laundry room, or on a shaded patio. Also, keep in mind that the machine weighs nearly 200 lbs., so make sure that your location does not require the machine to be carried up or down any stairs or other steep, difficult areas. This will avoid extra charges for additional labor or special equipment.
3. Themes, Colors & Flavors: For example, Margaritas or other frozen drinks can be made in almost any flavor or color you desire, including “swirl”. Choose a color or flavor that matches the theme of your party, and people will talk about your party for years to come. For example, serve: • Strawberry Daiquiri (red) with Fresh Strawberries dipped in Dark Chocolate on Valentine’s Day • Margarita Italiana (olive green) with Antipasto Trays on Columbus Day • Frozen Hurricane (crimson) with Shrimp Gumbo on Fat Tuesday • Mango Margarita (orange) on Halloween • Frozen Sangria (burgundy) with Spanish Tapas for a “Running of the Bulls” party • Goombay Smash (pink) with Jerk Chicken for a Bob Marley Fest Have fun and use your imagination!
4. Instruction and Setup: Whoever delivers your machine should always go over the machine operation and instruct you how to make the first batch and give you clear written instructions on how to operate the machine and how to make the next batch? You’ll need to have your liquor purchased and ready to make the first batch of drinks. To make sure the machine runs properly so you and your party guests will have a great time, be sure you have the machine plugged into an outlet that does not share the circuit with any other appliances, like refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, etc.
5. How to Deal with Hot Days: Ok, so many of us live in the humid East Coast… Summer temperatures can easily top 90+ degrees in the shade. It’s nearly impossible for any margarita machine to keep up with guest demands if the machine is outdoors in the hot sun. Here are tips to make sure the Margarita Machine can keep your Drinks frozen and delicious: • If possible, locate the machine in an air-conditioned space. • If it’s impossible to put it indoors, keep the machine in the shade. Shade will work wonders. Use ice to keep the mixing buckets cool before pouring it into the machine. • Place your alcohol in the freezer to help the freezing process Just add a bag of ice in the mixing container before you put anything else in there. Then follow the standard directions to make your mix. Important: Stir until all the ice has melted before you put it into the machine. • Don’t use an extension cord for the machine unless absolutely necessary. If you have to, then make sure you use the extension cord provided by the rental company. (At The Margarita Man we have the correct type and length that works best with the machine and we’ll loan it to you, free of charge. )
6. Plan for the Right Number of Machines: Of course, you don’t want to run out of Margaritas in the middle of your party, but you don’t want to spend more money than you have to for Margarita Machines. So how do you know if you need more than one machine for your party? A good estimate is one machine per 75-100 people, even if you’re serving other drinks. Also, if you’re having an event where all 100 people are going to show up at the same time and go straight to the Margarita Machine (like a wedding reception) you should definitely consider getting a second machine!
7. What to do when something's not right: In general, Frozen Beverage Machines are very reliable. But, like all things mechanical, they can malfunction, or perhaps you’ve forgotten something the driver told you about the machine. So to make sure your event is hassle-free, be sure to do the following: • Get a cell phone number that will be answered during the hours of your party, just in case. • Find out up front if the company has a guarantee policy.