As the seasons change, so do our tastes and cravings. Just as we switch out clothing depending on the temperature, our cocktail preferences often shift with the season. When planning your next corporate event, selecting a few seasonal cocktails for your menu is a good idea. Party guests may prefer hard cider and beer to frozen drinks in autumn. However, a summer beach bash is often the perfect occasion for a frozen margarita.
What is a Seasonal Cocktail?
A seasonal cocktail is inspired by the flavors associated with the holidays on the calendar. For example, around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, events often serve drinks that include seasonal flavors such as hot buttered rum, hot toddy, and mulled wine. As spring arrives, mojitos are more popular.
As a rule of thumb, during the spring and summer seasons, people usually prefer longer serves, spritzes, and refreshing options, while during autumn and winter, people tend to go for shorter serves and deeper, more robust flavors.
How Do I Choose the Right Cocktail for My Event?
When it comes to taste, everyone has their preferences. Start by adding your favorite cocktail, but don’t stop there! Some guests crave sweet drinks, while others savor the tangy or bitter flavors. You can be the ultimate host by keeping a few options on the table, catering to your guests’ individual taste journeys.
The team at Barmasters Mobile Bartending understands the latest seasonal drink trends. We’re happy to advise you on your drink selections. Here are a few of our favorite seasonal cocktails.
Vodka-Based Specialty Cocktails
Vodka Spritzer
Ingredients
Vodka – Club Soda – Cranberry Juice – Simple Syrup
Garnish
Strawberry – Lemon – Fresh Mint
Vodka Lemonade
Ingredients
Vodka – Lemonade
Garnish
Fresh Mint – Lemon Wedge
Sea Breeze
Ingredients
Vodka – Cranberry Juice – Grapefruit Juice
Garnish
Grapefruit Wedge
Blue Hawaiian
Ingredients
Vodka – White Rum – Blue Curacao – Pineapple Juice – Sour Mix
Garnish
Pineapple Wedge – Maraschino Cherry
Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
Vodka – White Rum – Tequila – Gin – Triple Sec – Lemon Juice – Coca-Cola
Garnish
Lemon Wedge – Fresh Mint
Moscow Mule
Ingredients
Vodka – Ginger Beer – Lime Juice
Garnish
Lime Wedge – Fresh Mint
Rum-Based Seasonal Cocktails
Mojito
Ingredients
White Rum – Muddled Mint – Lime Juice – Simple Syrup – Club Soda
Garnish
Lime Slice – Fresh Mint
Rum Punch
Ingredients
White Rum – Dark Rum – Pineapple Juice
Orange Juice – Lime Juice – Grenadine
Garnish
Orange Slice – Maraschino Cherry
Dark & Stormy
Ingredients
Dark Rum – Ginger Beer
Garnish
Lime Wedge
Cuba Libre
Ingredients
Rum – Coca-Cola
Garnish
Lime Wedge
Daiquiri
Ingredients
White Rum – Lime Juice – Simple Syrup
Garnish
Lime Slice
Mai Tai
Ingredients
Rum – Triple Sec – Lime Juice
Orgeat Syrup – Club Soda
Garnish
Lime Wedge – Fresh Mint – Pineapple Slice – Maraschino Cherry
Tequila-Based Seasonal Cocktails
Margarita
Ingredients
Tequila – Triple Sec – Lime Juice
Garnish
Lime Wedge – Salt Rim
Siesta
Ingredients
Tequila – Campari – Grapefruit Juice
Lime Juice – Simple Syrup
Garnish
Lemon Wedge
Paloma
Ingredients
Tequila – Lime Juice – Grapefruit Juice
Simple Syrup – Club Soda
Garnish
Grapefruit Wedge
Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients
Tequila – Orange Juice – Grenadine
Garnish
Orange Slice – Maraschino Cherry
Ranch Water
Ingredients
Tequila – Lime Juice – Club Soda
Garnish
Lime Wedge
El Diablo
Ingredients
Tequila – Lime Juice – Grapefruit Juice
Simple Syrup – Club Soda
Garnish
Grapefruit Wedge
Whiskey-Based Seasonal Cocktails
Old Fashioned
Ingredients
Whiskey – Bitters – Simple Syrup or Sugar
Garnish
Orange Peel – Maraschino Cherry
Manhattan
Ingredients
Whiskey – Sweet Vermouth – Bitters
Garnish
Luxardo Cherry
Sidecar
Ingredients
Bourbon or Whiskey – Triple Sec
Lemon Juice – Simple Syrup
Garnish
Lemon Peel
Mint Julep
Ingredients
Whiskey – Simple Syrup – Water
Garnish
Fresh Mint
Whiskey Sour
Ingredients
Whiskey – Lemon Juice – Simple Syrup
Garnish
Orange Peel – Maraschino Cherry
Whiskey Smash
Ingredients
Whiskey – Maple Syrup – Club Soda
Garnish
Fresh Mint – Lemon
Gin-Based Seasonal Cocktails
Tom Collins
Ingredients
Gin – Lemon Juice
Simple Syrup – Club Soda
Garnish
Maraschino Cherry – Lemon Wheel
Negroni
Ingredients
Gin – Sweet Vermouth – Campari
Garnish
Orange Peel
French 75
Ingredients
Gin – Champagne
Simple Syrup – Lemon Juice
Garnish
Lemon Twist
Cucumber Gimlet
Ingredients
Gin – Simple Syrup
Lime Juice – Club Soda
Garnish
Cucumber – Lime Wheel
Gin Mule
Ingredients
Gin – Simple Syrup
Lime Juice – Ginger Beer
Garnish
Fresh Mint – Lime Wedge
Gin Fizz
Ingredients
Gin – Egg White
Simple Syrup – Club Soda
Garnish
Lemon Twist
Frozen Style Seasonal Cocktails
Margarita (Frozen)
Ingredients
Tequila – Triple Sec – Margarita Mix
Garnish
Lime Wedge – Salt
Pina Colada (Frozen)
Ingredients
White Rum – Pina Colada Mix
Garnish
Pineapple Wedge – Maraschino Cherries
Strawberry Daiquiri (Frozen)
Ingredients
White Rum – Strawberry Daiquiri Mix
Garnish
Strawberries
Ready to Book Your Corporate Event?
In addition to a few seasonal cocktails, you may want to round out the alcoholic drink selection with wine and sparkling water. To get started planning your event, fill out the Barmasters Mobile Bartending form and review our bartending packages. You’ll receive an instant quote when you complete the event form.