Cocktails are the hearts of any parties. An evening house party can come to life when the guests have some amazing cocktails to sip on. One major benefit is that these drinks are enjoyed by every adult, including those who are not too fond of alcohol. So, here are some classic cocktail recipes for entertaining that you can prepare in minutes.

Negroni
An uncommon and one of the classic cocktail recipes for entertaining, Negroni requires you to stir vermouth, gin, and Campari in a mixing glass filled with ice. Remember the glass should be very cold. Stir gently for at least 30 second and then strain the drink through a strainer or a slotted spoon into a rock glass. Now, here is a little trick to perform. Use a small serrated knife to remove a 1” strip of orange peel. Twist over the cocktail to release the oil. Finally, garnish it with thin orange slices.

Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary is one of the classiest cocktails out there, and it is suitable for all occasions. So, here’s another of the classic cocktail recipes for entertaining. To prepare this, you need to combine tomato juice, lemon juice, pickle, horseradish, hot sauce, salt, pepper, celery seeds. Worcestershire sauce and cayenne in a large pitcher. Cover the whole thing and let it rest for about eight hours. Just before your serve the drink, stir the vodka into the tomato base and pour it into an ice-filled tall glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge for a tempting look.

Margarita
Margarita is another popular drink in parties. You can start off the preparation by placing some salt on a small plate. Do not forget to rub the rim of a traditional rock glass with lime and dip in salt. Fill this glass with ice and keep it aside. Now, you can combine tequila, lime juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill this shaker with ice, cover it and shake vigorously until the shaker turns cold. Strain the cocktail and garnish it with a lime wheel.

Classic whiskey smash
A whiskey-based cocktail is again one of the classic cocktail recipes for entertaining. To get the Classic Whiskey Smash ready, use a muddler or a wooden spoon handle to mash 7-8 fresh mint, half a lemon and mix with one tablespoon of simple syrup. Mix the ingredients in a mixing glass or shaker till it releases the juices and the oils. Now, add ¼ cup bourbon and transfer the drink to a traditional, classy glass. Garnish with mint sprigs to add finesse.

These classic cocktail recipes for entertaining require only a few basic ingredients and the least amount of time. But they leave you with a taste that lingers for long. So, the next time you plan to have guests in your place, make sure to keep these drinks ready.