Birthday drinks! There’s really no better way to celebrate aging than with a refined (or boozy) cocktail, and in this article, we’ll be giving you the inspiration you need for a day of cocktail mixing!
Start the day with a Breakfast Mimosa, swiftly move onto the Champagne Cocktails, then celebrate in style with a deliciously creamy Chocolate Cake Martini. We’ve got Pina Coladas and Long Island Iced Teas for a classic birthday sesh, or you can keep things classy with a traditional Old Fashioned.
And you don’t need to hire a bartender to mix these happy birthday cocktails because these birthday drinks are all easy to make at home. You’ll just need a cocktail shaker, an Ice ball maker, and suitable beverages to start mixing!
Top seven birthday drinks
There ain’t no party like a cocktail party. The following mixed drink recipes list contains a mixture of classic cocktails and a few birthday specials. We’ve also included one or two cocktails that are either non-alcoholic or that can easily be turned into Mocktail recipes by removing the booze and mixing with other non-alcoholic beverages.
Here we go, our top seven birthday cocktail recipes!
#1 Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is top of the list because this classic cocktail is so strong that it should only be enjoyed on your birthday!
The Long Island Iced Tea is one of the simplest cocktails you can prepare at home, provided you have the requisite number of spirits (and there are a few that go into this party drink). You’ll need vodka, gin, tequila, white rum, and triple sec. Mix it all together, pour over crushed ice, then top with cola and serve with a wedge of lemon or lime.
This is easy to make up as a pitcher if you’ve got friends coming over, and it’s probably the best drink if you’re getting ready for a wild birthday.
#2 Breakfast Mimosas
Start your birthday day in style with a delectable Breakfast Mimosa - after all, if you can’t get away with a boozy breakfast on the day of your birth, then when can you?
This is a super simple drink to mix up, as all it requires in its most basic form is 1 part orange juice and 1 part champagne, prosecco, or sparkling wine. It’s bubbly, it’s fruity, and it's best enjoyed with your favorite breakfast or brunch and a few friends.
There are many fruity variations on this recipe, too. Mix with peach juice, strawberry juice, pineapple juice; if it’s fruity, it’s going to be great. You can prepare non-alcoholic birthday mimosas by switching the champagne for a bubbly alcohol-free beverage such as sparkling elderflower or even just tonic.
#3 Champagne Cocktail
The Champagne Cocktail is the best way to celebrate your birthday. There’s no party without a bit of bubbly, and this classic cocktail can quickly be prepared for all your guests!
There are many variations of the Champagne Cocktail, but traditional recipes always need champagne, sugar, and bitters. A sugar cube is often soaked in bitters, then dropped into a champagne flute. Top the glass with champagne and then garnish with lemon, lime, or orange zest.
#4 Pina Colada
Even if the sun isn’t shining outside, then a Pina Colada is still guaranteed to instantly transport you to a tropical beach - which is why it’s perfect for birthday parties!
Pina Coladas are creamy, and they are fruity, and they are effortless to shake together in a cocktail mixer at home. You’ll need 1 part coconut cream, 1 part white rum, and then three parts pineapple juice.
Serve over crushed ice for a cool, creamy, yet refreshing birthday party cocktail!
#5 Cranberry Birthday Mocktail
Of course, not everyone wants a boozy birthday party or even drinks, in which case, you’ll be after a good old mocktail instead.
One of our favorite mocktails is the Cranberry Birthday Mocktail. This lovely birthday drink is wonderfully cool and refreshing yet very sweet to taste.
You’ll need ice, lemonade, cranberry juice, peach juice, and lemon and lime soda. Mix together and then serve with a glazed cherry!
#6 Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a timeless whiskey cocktail that’s perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of class to their birthday proceedings. The Old Fashioned is one of the oldest cocktails, too, which we guess is apt considering you’ll be celebrating getting older yourself.
Pick your finest whiskey or bourbon (don’t skimp, it’s your birthday!), then muddle sugar with angostura bitters and a little bit of water. This drink needs a fresh cube of pure ice for the best results!
#7 Chocolate Cake Martini
The Chocolate Cake Martini is one of the most decadent cocktails we’ve ever tried to make. If it’s your birthday, and you’re looking for a cocktail that doubles as a cake, then this is the drink for you.
Start by preparing your martini glass. Rim the edge of the glass with chocolate powder, and drizzle chocolate sauce around the inside. Next, mix the drink.
You’ll need two parts cream, 1 part vodka, 1 part chocolate liqueur, and 1 part creme de cacao. Measure the ingredients into a cocktail shaker, then shake up over crushed ice for a fabulous finish. Pour the creamy, chocolatey mix into the martini glass, then garnish with grated chocolate and a glazed cherry.
This birthday cocktail is thick, heavy, and absolutely delicious!
Birthday drinks: time to start mixing!
That’s it for the best happy birthday drink ideas, so now it’s time to start mixing those cocktails and practicing for your big birthday party cocktail showdown!
From the creamy Chocolate Cake Martini to a robust but straightforward Long Island Iced Tea. These birthday alcohol drinks are all cocktails that even an inexperienced bartender can quickly whip up at home.
If you’re getting ready to celebrate another year of living, then why not bookmark our guide to the best birthday alcoholic drinks?