When it comes to hosting a memorable home gathering or event, the drinks you serve play a crucial role in setting the vibe. But it’s not just about taste—it’s about presentation too. Instagram-worthy cocktails paired with the right glassware can elevate any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying a sunny afternoon or hosting a sophisticated evening soirée, the right drink and glassware combination can truly impress your guests. Here’s a roundup of the top 10 cocktails that are sure to shine on your Instagram feed, along with the best glassware to serve them in, including our range of premium glassware and plastic polycarbonate drinkware for outdoor settings.

1. Margarita

What is it?
The Margarita is a classic cocktail that never goes out of style. Known for its tangy, citrusy flavour, it’s perfect for warm evenings and summer BBQs. Whether you're hosting a pool party or a casual dinner, this cocktail is a crowd favourite.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Tequila
• 30ml Lime juice
• 20ml Triple sec
• Salt for rimming the glass
• Lime wedge for garnish

How to make it:

1. Begin by rimming the glass with lime juice and salt.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice.
3. Shake well, strain into the glass, and garnish with a lime wedge.

Best Glassware:
Pair your Margarita with a stemmed Margarita glass. The classic wide bowl ensures the citrus aroma is concentrated, enhancing your cocktail experience.

For outdoor gatherings, our polycarbonate Margarita glasses are a durable and stylish option, perfect for al fresco settings, without compromising on quality.

2. Pina Colada

What is it?
A tropical delight, the Pina Colada is the quintessential summer cocktail, ideal for beachside gatherings or any event with a laid-back vibe.

Ingredients:

• 50ml White rum
• 30ml Coconut cream
• 90ml Pineapple juice
• Pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry for garnish

How to make it:

1. Blend rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice with ice until smooth.
2. Pour into a glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry.

Best Glassware:
The Hurricane glass is the perfect vessel for this tropical treat, with its curvy shape highlighting the cocktail's creamy texture and vibrant colours.

3. Negroni

What is it?
The Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail, often served as an aperitif. Its bold flavours of gin, vermouth, and Campari make it a popular choice for cocktail enthusiasts looking for something with a bit more depth.

Ingredients:

• 30ml Gin
• 30ml Vermouth rosso
• 30ml Campari
• Orange peel for garnish

How to make it:

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled.
2. Strain into a short glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange peel twist.

Best Glassware:
The Old Fashioned glass is the best choice for a Negroni. Its sturdy, low-profile design complements the cocktail’s strength and offers a great drinking experience.

4. Gin and Tonic

What is it?
A simple, refreshing drink, the Gin and Tonic is ideal for any season but especially during warmer months or outdoor events. It’s the ultimate cocktail for anyone who appreciates light, crisp flavours.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Gin
• 150ml Tonic water
• Lime wedge for garnish

How to make it:

1. Fill a glass with ice, pour in gin, and top with tonic water.
2. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

Best Glassware:
A balloon glass is perfect for a Gin and Tonic, as the large bowl allows the botanicals in the gin to shine. For outdoor use, our polycarbonate balloon glasses provide the same elegance while ensuring safety and durability.

5. Mojito

What is it?
The Mojito is a refreshing, minty cocktail that’s perfect for summer garden parties or daytime events. Its light and zesty flavour make it an easy favourite.

Ingredients:

• 50ml White rum
• 30ml Lime juice
• 2 teaspoons Sugar
• 6-8 Fresh mint leaves
• Soda water
• Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish

How to make it:

1. Muddle the mint leaves and sugar in a glass.
2. Add lime juice and rum, then fill the glass with ice.
3. Top with soda water, stir gently, and garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig.

Best Glassware:
The highball glass is the ideal choice for a Mojito, with its tall, slender shape showcasing the vibrant green of the mint and lime.

6. Cosmopolitan

What is it?
A favourite among cocktail lovers, the Cosmopolitan is a sophisticated, tart cocktail often associated with glamour. It’s perfect for evening events, particularly those with a chic, elegant atmosphere.

Ingredients:

• 40ml Vodka
• 15ml Triple sec
• 15ml Fresh lime juice
• 30ml Cranberry juice
• Lime twist for garnish

How to make it:

1. Combine vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a twist of lime.

Best Glassware:
The Martini glass is the quintessential choice for a Cosmopolitan, its sharp angles and elegant curves enhance the presentation of this refined drink.

7. Bloody Mary

What is it?
A savoury classic, the Bloody Mary is a popular brunch cocktail, often enjoyed as a pick-me-up after a long night. It’s packed with bold flavours, making it the ideal choice for morning or early afternoon events.

Ingredients:

• 45ml Vodka
• 90ml Tomato juice
• 15ml Lemon juice
• 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• 2 dashes of Hot sauce
• Celery stalk and lemon wedge for garnish

How to make it:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake gently.
2. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and garnish with a celery stalk and lemon wedge.

Best Glassware:
The tall highball glass is perfect for serving a Bloody Mary, allowing plenty of space for ice and garnishes.

8. Mai Tai

What is it?
The Mai Tai is a vibrant, fruity cocktail often associated with tiki culture. Ideal for summer soirées or any event with a tropical theme, it’s an instant mood lifter.

Ingredients:

• 30ml White rum
• 30ml Dark rum
• 15ml Lime juice
• 15ml Orange curaçao
• 10ml Orgeat syrup
• Mint sprig for garnish

How to make it:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
2. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Best Glassware:
Serve your Mai Tai in a Tiki mug or rocks glass for a fun and festive presentation.

9. Whiskey Sour

What is it?
A timeless classic, the Whiskey Sour is perfect for colder seasons or evening gatherings. Its balance of sweetness and tartness makes it a versatile choice for any event.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Bourbon whiskey
• 25ml Fresh lemon juice
• 15ml Simple syrup
• Egg white (optional)
• Lemon slice for garnish

How to make it:

1. Combine whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a shaker.
2. Shake well (without ice) to emulsify the egg white, then add ice and shake again.
3. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a lemon slice.

Best Glassware:
A rocks glass works perfectly for this classic cocktail, allowing the flavours to be sipped and savoured slowly.

10. Old Fashioned

What is it?
The Old Fashioned is a staple of cocktail culture, ideal for a sophisticated evening event. Its simplicity and elegance make it a go-to for those who enjoy bold, whisky-based cocktails.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Bourbon or Rye whiskey
• 1 Sugar cube
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

How to make it:

1. Muddle the sugar cube and bitters in a rocks glass.
2. Add whiskey and ice, stir gently, and garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Best Glassware:
The Old Fashioned glass is the ideal choice, showcasing the cocktail's simplicity and elegance.

Glassware for Every Occasion

Whether hosting a vibrant outdoor BBQ or a refined indoor cocktail party, choosing the right glassware elevates your experience. For outdoor settings, our polycarbonate drinkware offers durability and style, ideal for enjoying cocktails in a relaxed, no-fuss environment. For indoor settings, our premium glassware adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to every sip.

Fun Trivia:

Did you know that the Margarita is said to have been invented in the 1930s or 1940s, with various stories of its origin? Some say it was created for a woman named Margarita Sames, while others claim it was the invention of bartender Carlos "Danny" Herrera. Whatever its origins, it's certainly become one of the most beloved cocktails worldwide!

Looking to elevate your next home event? Whether you're serving cocktails in our premium glassware or opting for the convenience of polycarbonate options for outdoor use, we’ve got the perfect drinkware for your occasion. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help make your home gatherings unforgettable.

Explore our collection now at dstill.com.au.