21 celebration cocktails for easy hosting
olive is celebrating its 20th birthday so we've rounded up some of our favourite easy cocktails for special occasions – from spritzy champagne cocktails to pretty pink drinks and party classics
Check out our favourite celebration cocktails, then explore the best champagne cocktails, three-ingredient cocktails, tea cocktails and mocktails, vodka cocktails and easy cocktails.
It's olive's 20th birthday this year! Find more effortless cocktail recipes, new bar recommendations and hot-off-the-press drinks new and trends in our 20th birthday issue, out on all good newsstands now. Or you can order direct to your door, download the issue or subscribe for only £5.
olive's 20 celebration cocktails
Kir royale
A classic aperitif, this drink contains champagne, cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and a blackberry to garnish. Feel free to customise with other flavours – elderflower and orange liqueurs also work well.
Celebration mocktail
Alcohol free doesn't mean you have to miss out when it comes to party drinks. Our celebration mocktail is a delicious blend of fruit juice, nutmeg, egg white and alcohol-free gin.
French 75
Raise a celebratory glass with our French 75 recipe. This classic champagne cocktail is simple to make but looks stunning, perfect for the party season.
Buck's fizz
Make a simple but sophisticated buck's fizz in minutes using champagne or crémant and orange juice – it's one of the best two-ingredient cocktails.
Homemade champagne and grenadine cocktails
Jazz up fizz with homemade grenadine – it's much easier to make than you think.
Champagne and berry fizz
Try this twist on a sgroppino, with champagne or cava and a scoop of berry sorbet to create a five-minute dessert.
Negroni sbagliato
Swapping gin for prosecco makes for a lighter negroni and softens the bitterness, an ideal aperitif for those who find the classic Italian cocktail a bit much.
Spritz
A spritz is a versatile three-ingredient drink that's perfect to sip before a meal –and also makes a lovely celebratory drink. It's perhaps most often made with Campari or Aperol, but any bitter aperitif will work.
Sloe gin fizz
The rich berry flavours and tart-sweet character of sloe gin balance perfectly with the lemon in this cocktail – it's super quaffable. For an extra decadent twist, try swapping the sparkling water for dry sparkling wine or champagne.
Espresso martini
The ultimate coffee cocktail, this recipe blends fresh espresso, vodka and coffee liqueur for a sweet, velvety drink that still packs a punch.
Passion fruit martini
Add sharpness and sweetness to your next martini with fresh passion fruit and lime juice. Vanilla vodka, if you have it, works well in this recipe. Serve with a celebratory shot of champagne alongside.
Fig and grapefruit twinkle cocktail
Crème de figue liqueur adds a delicately spiced flavour to this celebratory cocktail, which is also laced with grapefruit gin and champagne.
50/50 martini
Customise this 50/50 martini by swapping the white vermouth for rosé. Choose your favourite gin and garnish with an olive, some brine, cucumber or lemon.
Blood orange sgroppino
Save time and impress friends by combining drinks with dessert. Sweet and boozy, this twist on a traditional Venetian cocktail of lemon sorbet and prosecco uses blood oranges to give an extra boost of colour and flavour.
Classic sidecar
This simple mix of cognac, lemon juice and Cointreau tastes more complex than you might think. Serve with a sugar rim on the glass to sweeten the cocktail as you sip.
Clementine fizz
This super-simple recipe – using just three ingredients – makes enough for six people, perfect for parties and gatherings.
Pineapple mezcal margarita
We often opt for fizz for celebratory drinks but try this smoky, tropical cocktail using mezcal and pineapple instead for something different.
Mezcal sour
Mezcal, pisco and Select Aperitivo are the stars of this punchy yet elegant cocktail.
Classic bellini
Bellinis are perfect for easy entertaining. Traditionally made with fresh white peach purée and chilled prosecco – you can use yellow peaches if you can't find white, and champagne or cremate instead of prosecco.
Bakewell tart fizz
We've turned the classic British bakewell tart into a fizz cocktail by adding cherry liqueur and nutty amaretto. It's the perfect dessert tipple.
Cosmo margarita
Cosmopolitan meets margarita in this fragrant and sophisticated cocktail, made with hibiscus tea, tequila and triple sec.
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