When friends are coming over and you need a cocktail that will impress, the upscale drinks on this list won’t disappoint.
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It’s easy to pull together inexpensive and simple cocktails, but sometimes you may want to serve an upscale mixed drink that will impress. Upscale drinks are also great for occasions such as family holiday parties. Whether you want an upscale cocktail for a summer or winter party, we have something for you.
The classic margarita or gin and tonic are great for having a quick drink at night but when it’s time to step up your game, you need some fancy cocktails.
Not only will fancy drinks make you feel like you’re out on the town but they don’t cost nearly as much at home compared to buying them at a bar.

As you venture into the world of upscale drinks, prepare to be enthralled by the exquisite collection of sophisticated beverages that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. These luxurious concoctions are typically crafted with high-quality ingredients and display a unique blend of flavors, elevating your drinking experience to new heights.
Whether you are planning to impress your friends at a dinner party or simply wish to indulge yourself in the elegant flavors of these beverages, you will discover an array of delightful options. From classic cocktails to contemporary creations, the upscale drink scene offers something for every discerning palate.
In your pursuit of the finest drinks, remember that presentation is key. The experience is enhanced by the stunning glassware, intricate garnishes, and artistic displays, making every sip a visual and sensory delight. Embark on this journey with an open mind, and you may just discover your new favorite drink.
And classy cocktails don’t take as long to make as you might think. You don’t need to go to bartending school to learn your spirits either.
With the fancy alcoholic drinks below you can whip up a cocktail in minutes for your entire party and still have time to mingle.
Take a look through the fancy cocktail recipes below and pick out a few favorites to try the next time you have guests coming over.

Source: hgtv.com
1. Liam’s Midnight Toast
Celebrations call for something special and Liam’s midnight toast is just that drink.
This is a blended drink that includes only the nicest of ingredients like Grand Marnier, Cognac, Champagne, and Campari. You could even add some soda water to the drink to water it down.
Serve this in a flute to get the most reaction because the beautiful red color will immediately make a statement when you place this drink on the table.
Don’t forget to garnish it with an orange peel and just make sure you have plenty of ingredients because everyone is going to want a second glass.

Source: seriouseats.com
2. Boulevardier
The boulevardier has been around since the 1920s and the taste is just as good today as it has ever been.
This is basically an upscale version of the negroni and will have your guests craving a second glass once they have their first sip.
To make it you’ll need bourbon whiskey, Campari, and sweet vermouth (or dry vermouth), and the flavors all blend together perfectly. It has the color of an old fashioned but with a different flavor profile.
This one goes best in a short glass with a maraschino cherry sitting in the glass for your end of the drink treat.

Source: mybartender.com
3. Martinez
When you want a subtle looking drink where the taste does all the talking, the Martinez is the drink to make.
This drink hits all the right notes and will be your perfect sipping companion at the end of the night.
With subtle hints of cherry and cinnamon, you won’t be able to have just one sip and you’ll probably end up adding this to your regular drink rotation.

Source: bhg.com
4. Pisco Sour
Sour drinks, like the whiskey sour, are a great way to add sophistication to your great cocktail party because there is something about the different textures that really sets the drink apart.
A pisco sour is perfect for any occasion because it has a smoothness from the egg whites and a little bit of spice from the ginger.
You’ll need pisco, simple syrup, lime juice, ice cubes, egg whites, and bitters for this one, plus if you want it to have that extra sour taste add in a splash of egg white.
This one only needs a short glass but try to pour the bitters directly on the foam to give yourself a beautiful finish like they would at a cocktail bar.

Source: tasteofhome.com
5. Golden Cadillac
When you want the Cadillac of drinks you have to try this refined blend of Creme de Cacao,
Creme de Menthe, cream, and an orange peel garnish.
This is a drink that has been around since the 1950s and stood the test of time because of its luxurious taste.

Source: gardenandgun.com
6. Corpse Reviver
Despite the wicked name, the corpse revived is full of flavors and is an upscale drink that you’re sure to make again and again.
To make this one you’ll need gin, lemon juice, Lillet Blanc (this is optional but it adds great flavor), absinthe, and simple syrup.
You can make this drink really fun with some gelatin that you can turn into the foam to place on top of the drink. Use red food coloring to make it look like blood and people will love it!

Source: cocktailkit.com.au
7. Ward 8 Cocktail
The ward 8 is a perfect cocktail to try when you don’t have a lot of time but want to bring a fancy drink to the table.
It contains whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, grenadine syrup, and an orange peel garnish on top.
You just pour everything in the glass and you’re ready to start drinking.

Source: savoryexperiments.com
8. French Martini
Ever since James Bond hit the big screen people have associated martinis with the rich and exclusive.
These days anyone can get their hand on one and this French martini recipe is the perfect upscale drink to get started on.
You’ll need vodka, Chambord (you could use coffee liqueur for an espresso martini), and lemon juice beaten with egg white for a creamy texture.
Pour all of these ingredients into a shaker over ice and shake vigorously before pouring into martini glasses and garnishing with lemon zest.

Source: liquor.com
9. Last Word
When the cocktail revival started to happen the last word was one of the drinks that withstood the test of time and stayed on people’s cocktail lists.
It’s made with gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice so it has a lot going on in the flavor department.
In order to taste all those flavors, you’ll put everything in a cocktail shaker ahead of time and then pour out the mixture into your glass.

Source: liquor.com
10. Pegu Club
Not as well known as some of the other upscale drinks on this list, the pegu club is sure to be a hit with your guests.
The mix of orange liqueur, lime juice, and bitters blended together is sure to give everyone that extra kick they need.
To make it you’ll need bourbon whiskey, Cointreau (you could try triple sec instead but this will not give you the same results), Angostura bitters, and lime juice.
You can make this one in a shaker with ice or serve it up like they do at the bar in a fancy glass.

Source: moodymixologist.com
11. Vesper Martini
It may be surprising that the Vesper martini was actually created by the fictional character James Bond in the Casino Royale book.
Ever since then, people have been taking this recipe and running away with it because of its simple but luxurious taste.
This drink is made with equal parts vodka and gin, a few dashes of Lillet Blanc (a French dry wine flavored with herbs), and some lemon juice.

Source: mybartender.com
12. Ramos Gin Fizz
This one may not look as fancy as the others on the list but the taste screams upscale sophistication.
It’s served in a tall glass and is bursting with a variety of flavors including a little bit of tartness from the lemon juice.
To make this one you’ll need gin, lemon juice, lime juice, heavy cream, sugar syrup, simple syrup, orange blossom water (this is optional), and egg white.
Pour everything into a shaker filled with ice and stir well before pouring into a tall glass. This drink tastes just like lemon meringue pie.

Source: punchdrink.com
13. Siesta Cocktail
This beautiful drink is just waiting for someone to grab it by the stem and take a sip.
The siesta cocktail includes tequila, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and Campari.
Serve it in a nice martini-style glass and garnish it with a lime wedge so you can get those green and bright red colors mixing together.
This is another drink that will have your guest feeling pampered with as soon as you bring it to the table.

Source: creativeculinary.com
14. Hemingway Daiquiri
This delicious drink is so good that even the celebrated writer Ernest Hemingway himself would enjoy it.
Made with white rum, maraschino liqueur, grapefruit juice, and lime juice, this drink is as tasty as it gets.
The thing that makes it so unique is the tartness from the grapefruit and the sweetness of the maraschino.
You can serve this one up in a craft acocktail or champagne glass and garnish with a grapefruit peel. This isn’t one you’re going to find in dive bars, it’s meant for the more sophisticated crowd.

Source: simplyrecipes.com
15. French 75 Cocktail
This classic cocktail is wonderfully simple and has a combination of flavors that are sure to please any palate.
Made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne, this one is a classic that never gets old.
You can serve it up in a cocktail glass or even champagne flutes for something slightly more elegant.
This one is best if you use high-quality ingredients so your guests know you made the extra effort.

Source: allrecipes.com
16. Sazerac
The sazerac craft cocktail was invented in New Orleans and is a really complex drink that will impress your guests.
It’s made with rye whiskey, absinthe or pastis, simple syrup, Peychaud’s bitter, and an orange peel.
You have to pour the absinthe in first so it can coat the glass and give it a nice aroma.
This one is for those who have a refined palate that doesn’t mind the mix of flavors from all the ingredients.

Our Best Upscale Drinks (+Ramos Gin Fizz)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce whipping cream
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 dashes orange water
- Club soda
- 1 whipped egg white
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and dry-shake for 10 seconds.
- Shake with ice for 15 more seconds.
Notes
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.
Nutrition
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