PDF download Download Article
Tired of plain vodka shots? Here are some sweet drinks that are sure to go down easy
PDF download Download Article

It’s the weekend, and you’re looking forward to getting a little buzzed. You definitely aren’t looking forward to drinks that burn all the way down, though. You’re in luck—there are tons of fun shots and sweet drinks out there that don’t taste gross at all. We’ve put together a list of some of the best-tasting alcohol around, so you can enjoy a fun night in or a lively night out.

Things You Should Know

  • Take a ride on the citrus side of happy hour with a cosmopolitan, kamikaze, caipirinha, or Malibu sunset cocktail.
  • Get your wine fix with drinks like a mimosa, pink gin fizz, sangria, or spritzer.
  • Enjoy easy shots like a polar bear, lemon drop, pineapple upside down cake, or Irish car bomb.
1

Strawberry Margarita

PDF download Download Article
  1. Blend about 1-2 cups (217-434 g) of crushed ice cubes with 8-10 fresh strawberries, 4  fl oz (120 mL) of tequila, 1 12  fl oz (44 mL) of triple sec, and 1 12  fl oz (44 mL) of lime juice. Then, transfer the chilly mixture into 2-3 margarita glasses lined with sugar or salt. To really sweeten things up, stir a spoonful of sugar syrup (or however much you want) into your chilly treat.[1]
  2. Advertisement
2

Cosmopolitan

PDF download Download Article
  1. Add 1 cup (217 g) of ice into a cocktail shaker, along with 12  fl oz (15 mL) of lime juice, 12  fl oz (15 mL) of triple sec, and 12  fl oz (15 mL) of regular vodka. Shake all of the ingredients together, and then filter the mixture into a pre-chilled cocktail glass (or short glass). Garnish the drink with a lime wedge for good measure, and you’re ready to go.[3]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Triple sec, vodka
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
    • Shot alternative: Combine 6  fl oz (180 mL) of vodka, 3  fl oz (89 mL) of triple sec, and 3  fl oz (89 mL) of lime juice together in a cocktail shaker. Then, strain the mixture into 8 different shot glasses.[4]
  2. Advertisement
5

Caipirinha

PDF download Download Article
  1. Toss ½ of a lime (sliced into 4 even pieces) into a cocktail shaker, along with 1-2 tsp (2.6-5.2 g) of powdered sugar. Using a muddler (like the end of a rolling pin), mash the ingredients together inside of the shaker. To finish off your refreshing drink, just add in 2  fl oz (59 mL) of cachaça and shake everything together. Serve the drink (without straining) in a regular glass—or on the rocks, if you’d like to keep things chilly.[5]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Cachaça (fermented sugar cane juice)
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
  2. Advertisement
  1. Fill up a cocktail shaker with 1 cup of ice (217 g), along with 1  fl oz (30 mL) of dark rum, 1  fl oz (30 mL) of aged rum, 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of fresh orange juice, 12  fl oz (15 mL) of triple sec, 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of fresh lime juice, 1  tsp (4.9 mL) of orgeat syrup, 1 tsp (2.6 g) of powdered sugar, and a dash of grenadine. Give everything a good shake before filtering it into an ice-filled lowball glass.[8]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Dark rum, aged rum, triple sec
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
  2. Advertisement
11

Pink Gin Fizz

PDF download Download Article
  1. Mix 5 tbsp (39 g) of powdered sugar and 2.5 fl oz (75 mL) of lemon juice together in a pitcher, along with 5.1 fl oz (150 mL) of gin and a couple handfuls of ice. Mix all the ingredients together, filter out the ice, and ladle 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of the gin mixture into 8 separate flute glasses. Sprinkle a dash of bitters into each glass, and fill it up the rest of the way with sparkling wine to complete your refreshing pink cocktail.[9]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Gin, Angostura bitters, sparkling wine
    • Recipe makes: 8 servings
    • Pro tip: Give your pink gin fizz an even fancier look by garnishing it with a fresh raspberry.
  2. Advertisement
13

White Russian

PDF download Download Article
16

Long Island Iced Tea

PDF download Download Article
  1. Fill up a bowl with ice, along with 12  c (120 mL) of tequila, 12  c (120 mL) of white rum, 12  c (120 mL) of vodka, 12  c (120 mL) of gin, 12  c (120 mL) of triple sec, 34  c (180 mL) of lemon juice, and 34  c (180 mL) of sugar syrup. Stir everything together until it’s nice and cold, and then filter it into a pitcher. Pour the drink into various ice-filled highball glasses, and your happy hour is ready to begin.[12]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Tequila, white rum, vodka, gin, triple sec
    • Recipe makes: 8 to 12 servings
    • Pro tip: Top each glass with a lemon wedge as a nice garnish. If you’d like, pour a little extra cola into your glass.
19

Tequila Sunrise

PDF download Download Article
  1. Grab a highball glass and fill it with 2  fl oz (59 mL) of tequila and 3  fl oz (89 mL) of orange juice, along with a few ice cubes. To give your drink its iconic, rosy look, drizzle 12  fl oz (15 mL) of grenadine (or creme de cassis) over the top of the drink. Simply add a cherry and orange slice on top, and your cocktail is ready to enjoy at any time of day![14]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Tequila
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
  2. Advertisement
  1. Combine 25.4 fl oz (750 mL) of dry red wine, 12  c (120 mL) of brandy, 12  c (120 mL) of triple sec, 13  c (79 mL) of frozen lemonade concentrate, 13  c (79 mL) of orange juice, 14  c (59 mL) of lemon juice, and ¼ cup (50 g) of white sugar all together in a large bowl. Add in 1 sliced orange, 1 sliced lemon, 1 sliced lime, and 8 maraschino cherries into the mixture as an extra fruity touch. Refrigerate the drink overnight so it’s nice and cold—or, if you’re in a rush, pour it into a glass filled with ice.[15]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Red wine (dry), brandy, triple sec
    • Recipe makes: 6 servings
    • Pro tip: Give your sangria a sparkling touch by adding in 2  c (470 mL) of sparkling water.
  2. Advertisement
23

Moscow Mule

PDF download Download Article
27

Polar Bear Shot

PDF download Download Article
30

Irish Car Bomb

PDF download Download Article
  1. Grab a regular glass that can hold at least 8  fl oz (240 mL) of liquid and fill it with 6  fl oz (180 mL) of Guinness. In a separate shot glass, combine 12  fl oz (15 mL) of Irish cream liqueur with 12  fl oz (15 mL) of jameson Irish whiskey. As quickly as you can, submerge the shot glass in the cup of Guinness and drink it all as quickly as you can.[24]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Irish cream liqueur, Irish whiskey, Guinness
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
    • Pro tip: Make sure that your Guinness glass is wide enough to fit a shot glass.

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What's the best alcohol to use if I don't want my drink to taste like alcohol?
    Yasmin Rosales
    Yasmin Rosales
    Professional Bartender
    Yasmin Rosales is a Bartending Expert based in South Florida. She is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Bartender at Stir it Up Mobile Bar, a mobile bar serving all of South, Florida. Since its founding in 2020, Stir It Up has become a highly respected name in the local event and mobile bartending industry, and prides itself in delivering excellence and an unmatched experience as a preferred luxury bar service. Yasmin has 18 years in the event and hospitality industry, and has made it her mission to infuse joy and a touch of sophistication into every event. In addition to Stir it Up, she owns several satellite bars, a refurbished horse trailer bar named “Glory” and manages a team of bartenders who love the industry as much as she does. She recieved an AS from Broward College in Crime Scene Technology.
    Yasmin Rosales
    Professional Bartender
    Expert Answer
    You can use vodka, as it has a neutral flavor. Start by matching the taste and the amount of vodka to mask the alcohol taste effectively. For example, mix vodka with equal parts fruit juice, such as orange or cranberry juice. You can also add espresso to your vodka to make a vodka espresso cocktail. Lastly, blend vodka with flavored sodas or tonic water, then add a splash of simple syrup and fresh citrus, like lemon or lime juice, to further enhance the flavor and to minimize the alcoholic taste of your drink. 
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • It’s always fun to enjoy a tasty cocktail or shot, but it’s just as important to pace yourself. Make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water, and try to enjoy your beverage in small sips (rather than chugging it down in one go).[25]
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

Warnings

Advertisement

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about alcoholic beverages, check out our in-depth interview with Yasmin Rosales.

About This Article

Yasmin Rosales
Co-authored by:
Professional Bartender
This article was co-authored by Yasmin Rosales and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Yasmin Rosales is a Bartending Expert based in South Florida. She is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Bartender at Stir it Up Mobile Bar, a mobile bar serving all of South, Florida. Since its founding in 2020, Stir It Up has become a highly respected name in the local event and mobile bartending industry, and prides itself in delivering excellence and an unmatched experience as a preferred luxury bar service. Yasmin has 18 years in the event and hospitality industry, and has made it her mission to infuse joy and a touch of sophistication into every event. In addition to Stir it Up, she owns several satellite bars, a refurbished horse trailer bar named “Glory” and manages a team of bartenders who love the industry as much as she does. She recieved an AS from Broward College in Crime Scene Technology. This article has been viewed 87,977 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: June 27, 2024
Views: 87,977
Categories: Cocktails
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87,977 times.

Did this article help you?

Advertisement