If you are looking for a way to take your party up a notch, skip the beer and wine and serve fancy cocktails. Served in the appropriate glass with a garnish, mixed drinks are elegant and turn your party into a social event. Before the party, you should check to see if you have the ingredients for the basic cocktails. You will need whiskey, rum, tequila, bourbon, vodka, and gin. Don’t forget to add the mixers such as tonic water, ginger beer, and tomato juice.
The garnishes are essential as well. Check to be sure you have lemons, maraschino cherries, limes for garnishing and juice, and ice cubes. Here are five cocktails every home bartender should know how to make:

1. Moscow mule
Believed to be created in New York in the 1940s, it has become a cocktail hour favorite. Traditionally served in a copper cup, it is a drink that has fizz, slight sweetness, and a bite to it. If you don’t want to invest in copper cups, a Collins glass would also work. To prepare the drink, you’ll need vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. Garnish with lime to add a touch of flair.

2. Whiskey sour
The whiskey sour is one of the most popular drinks. Concocted from just three ingredients, it is the ideal balance of sweet and sour. Serve it on the rocks or straight up in old-fashioned or rocks glass, or take it up a notice and serve it in a martini glass. To finish it, add a maraschino cherry and a lemon slice.

3. Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan is a pretty and delicious pink cocktail. It leaped into fame when it became Carrie Bradshaw’s drink of choice on the TV show Sex and the City. You can be almost sure that this drink will be requested more than once. Fortunately, it’s not a complicated drink to prepare and needs only a few ingredients. In addition to the primary alcohols, make sure your bar has cranberry juice and lime juice. The lime garnish adds both flavor and contrasting color.

4. Gin and tonic
This refreshing cocktail is one of the easiest to make. Since it has only two ingredients, make sure you use the gin and tonic water are of good quality. A lime garnish is essential for a slight citrus flavor and a pop of color. If you like it with more lime flavor, squeeze the lime slice before using it as a garnish.

5. Bloody Mary
The bloody Mary is the drink of choice for guests who enjoy a drink with a spicy tomato juice base. The supporting cast of ingredients are tomato juice, Worcestershire, and Tabasco sauces are the key ingredients. Although the bloody Mary can be prepared from a mix, making one from scratch allows you to prepare the drink with just the right amount of kick for your guests. Garnish the creation with a celery rib, a lemon slice, or a cooked shrimp.