35 Birthday Cocktails That’ll Help You Celebrate

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

Margarita Float Cocktails

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

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

Cotton Candy Champagne Cocktails

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

Basil Citrus Cocktail

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

Ginger Mint Julep Cocktail

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

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

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

Orange Razzletini Cocktails

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

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 cocktails like this one. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Rubies on Ice Cocktails

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

Sparkling Peach Bellinis

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

Classic Margarita

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

Blackberry Beer Cocktail

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

Apple Amaretto Sours

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

Paloma

Soon after I learned about this cocktail, 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

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

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

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

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

Swedish Rose Spritz Cocktails

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

Brandy Slush Cocktails

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

Cranberry Cocktail

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 cocktail 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

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

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

Cranberry Sparkler Cocktails

The flavors of this refreshing cran-raspberry cocktail 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

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

Guava Coconut Rum Cocktail

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

Lemonade Cocktail

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

Cranberry-Lime Sangria

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

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

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 cocktails we enjoy year-round. I decided to combine those recipes into something completely new. This goes very quickly at gatherings! —Stephanie Vaughan, Madison, Wisconsin

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