Delicious Cocktails for All Tastes, From Bubbles to Spice

Let's talk about the joys of cocktails for the holidays. They're those lovely little moments that make summer special, when everything slows down in the best way. You know those perfect warm evenings when everyone's relaxed, the drinks are cold, and the conversation just flows? Ice clinks, bubbles fizz, and that's when the holiday spirit kicks in. Whether you're sharing one with friends or treating yourself after a long day, a well made cocktail makes the moment special.

Here's the good news: making impressive cocktails doesn't require a bartending diploma or ingredients from specialty shops. A handful of everyday ingredients and a few seasonal touches will do nicely.

We've put together a collection of effortless delicious cocktails perfect for warm Australian days and nights. Light, refreshing, and wonderfully simple for entertaining a houseful of people or stealing a quiet moment on the veranda; these cocktail recipes have you covered.

The Very Berry Spritz

This sparkling showstopper might just be the easiest crowd-pleaser in your festive repertoire. It’s bright, bubbly, and looks so impressive that guests will assume you’ve been practising for weeks, even if this is your first attempt at anything beyond a rum and Coke.

You’ll need: Prosecco or sparkling wine, raspberry or strawberry liqueur, lemonade or soda water, fresh berries, and a lemon slice.

To make: Fill a wine glass with ice, add a generous splash of berry liqueur, top with sparkling wine, and finish with a dash of lemonade. Drop in some fresh berries and perch a lemon slice on the rim. It’s uncomplicated, joyful, and has an undefeated track record of impressing even the most discerning mother-in-law. Bonus points if you remember to actually buy the berries before everyone arrives.

Citrus Holiday Fizz

For those who favour crisp, zingy drinks with a clean finish, the Citrus Holiday Fizz delivers every time. It pairs beautifully with seafood spreads, backyard barbecues, or those languid summer afternoons when productivity has been officially abandoned and you've accepted that you'll do everything tomorrow not today.

You'll need: Gin, fresh orange juice, tonic or soda water, and orange slices.

To make: Shake gin and orange juice over ice, strain into a tall glass, and top with tonic or soda. Garnish with an orange slice. It's refreshing, sunshine-friendly, and mercifully light. No one wants to feel like they've consumed a liquefied full course meal, particularly not in 35-degree heat.

Spiced Apple Cooler

The Spiced Apple Cooler strikes that perfect balance between warming spice and cool refreshment. It feels comforting and festive without weighing you down, unlike certain traditional cocktails that require a three-hour nap afterwards.

You'll need: Spiced rum, cloudy apple juice, ginger ale, apple slices, and ground cinnamon.

To make: Pour spiced rum and apple juice over ice in a highball glass, top with ginger ale, and stir gently. Add an apple slice and dust lightly with cinnamon. It's smooth, seasonal, and tastes precisely like a spicy cocktail should. Also, the cinnamon makes it look like you've really tried, which is half the battle.

Peach and Prosecco Pop

This elegant little number is your secret weapon for unexpected guests or those awkward lulls when conversation runs dry and everyone needs something to occupy their hands. It's also excellent for when someone asks if you're "seeing anyone special" for the fourth time.

You'll need: Sparkling wine, peach nectar, and fresh peach slices.

To make: Pour a splash of peach nectar into a chilled champagne flute, top with sparkling wine, and add a peach slice. It's celebratory, refreshing, and takes roughly the same time as opening a can of fizzy drink but makes you look infinitely more sophisticated. Your uncle who only drinks beer will still ask if you've got any "real drinks," but everyone else will be suitably impressed.

A Thoughtful Gift Idea

If you're stuck for present ideas over the holiday season and have no desire to go to the shops then why not send the gift to make cocktails along with a recipe. Gift a digital gift card from Dan Murphy's or BWS and let your recipient choose their own favourite spirits and mixers. It's a particularly handy idea for last-minute gifting and takes all the guesswork out of choosing the right bottle. No more wondering if they're actually a gin person or just being polite at parties.

Make Time for the Little Moments This Season

The summer season has a habit of disappearing before you've properly enjoyed it. Mixing a simple cocktail, whether you're trying something new or sharing an old favourite, is one of those small rituals that gently insists you slow down.

These quiet moments, the ones spent clinking glasses with friends or simply enjoying five minutes of peace on the back deck, often turn out to be the memories that stick around long after the decorations come down. And honestly, isn't that what the holidays are really about?