Types of Mixed Drinks

Any social occasion without an array of assorted drinks is as good as a routine ritual to remind each other that you exist and update and get updated about the happenings in each other's lives. It is not necessary that the drinks be alcoholic but a celebratory gathering makes no sense if at least 3-5 drinks aren't served. One may or may not serve a full meal, appetizers may just be fine but drinks are a must! As much as there's no dearth of options in hard mixed drinks and alcoholic cocktails, the number of varieties of mocktails and non alcoholic mixers are far lesser than the former as the base flavor of alcohol leaves much room for innovation.

Here's a list of the most popular types of mixed drinks that you can shake up to add some life to that party you're planning and get the crowd to gravitate towards the bar and beverages stall and get those stuck up, diplomatic tongues to loosen up and indulge in some innocuous as well as outrageous gossip around there!

Different Types of Mixed Drinks

The following segment enlisting the names of mixed drinks is being divided into alcoholic and non alcoholic section for the sake of the reader's convenience. Hope you find it helpful!

Types of Mixed Alcoholic Drinks

Here is a list of categories of alcoholic mixers along with a short description and a few examples of such mixers under each category. Enjoy the crash-course enlightenment!

Cocktails: These mixers are usually made from a combination of water, sugar, liquor, bitters and, occasionally, fruit juices and fruit bits. Bloody Mary and Piña Colada are the most common examples. Cocktail is a pretty broad term which includes most alcoholic mixers.

Highballs: Highballs are any mixture of a non alcoholic beverage with an alcoholic spirit which forms the base and is in a smaller proportion than the soft drink. Popular highballs are gin-and-tonic, Mai Tai, Long Island iced tea and screwdriver.

Cobblers: An alcoholic spirit base, sugar and fresh fruit juice and fruit bits - that's the basic ingredient of any standard cobbler. The base spirit can be sherry, wine, whiskey or bourbon. Popular cobblers include sherry cobbler and whiskey cobbler.

Sours: A sour is made with an alcohol/spirit base with sour citrus juice of lemon or lime added to it along with the white of an egg with a dash of sweetening added by either grenadine, sugar syrup or pineapple juice. Daiquiri, Margarita, Gin Sour and White Lady are some of the most popular sours.

Hard Punches: No, it's not at all about bar fights! A hard punch is a punch that contains some amount of alcohol, besides fruit juices, spices (occasionally) and fruit garnishing. Popular hard punches are the cup, planter's punch and the Southern Bourbon punch.

Wine Coolers: A delectable combination of wine, fruit juice, sugar and soda or a carbonated beverage is what constitutes this alcoholic mixer. Spritzer and sangria come under this category.

Fizz: Mix alcohol, fruit juice and a carbonated beverage together and there, you've fixed yourself a fizz! The alcohol most commonly used is gin. Silver fizz, Ramos gin fizz and Sloe Gin fizz are some common variants.

Pousse-Café: It's a layered drink with an alcoholic base, the other ingredients added separately, one over the other, in distinct layers. The usual ingredients are brandy, yellow and green chartreuse and grenadine. The visual appeal of this mixer makes it one of the top 10 mixed drinks for special occasions. There are as many varieties of this beverage as the number of bartenders that make it!

Mint Julep: Made from sugar, water, bourbon/ vodka and spearmint leaves, this refreshingly cooling mixer is a rocking option for a summer poolside party. The Kremlin Colonel is a popular variant.

Flip: Add beaten egg to a mixture of alcohol and sugar and top it with finely crushed nutmeg - that's flip for you! The alcohol generally used is rum or, sometimes, brandy.

Types of Mixed Non Alcoholic Drinks

Although not as abundant in variety as their big, bad, alcoholic counterparts, there are enough non alcoholic mixers and mocktails to satiate the thirst of the teetotalers - and that's fine, considering they almost always fall in the minority class of drink-seekers in any party!

Fruit Punch: The usual punch recipe sans the alcohol content with or without fruits bits - that's simple and straight fruit punch for you!

Fruit Juice Coolers: A mixture of various fruit and citrus juices with plain or carbonated water with a dash of sugar - there you go with your fruit juice cooler!

Safe Sex on the Beach: Corny as the name sounds, this cranberry juice + grapefruit juice + peach nectar combination is a great choice for all who wish to play safe on the tipsy meter!

Shirley Temple: Ginger ale and grenadine is all that it takes to fix up some of this good old soft mixer! The ginger undertones of this otherwise sweet and fizzy mixer gives its flavor a somewhat hard edge!

Cowboy's Punch: Grape juice, club soda and ginger ale come together in a polygamous matrimony to give you a soft mixer the taste of which, some say, borders on that of the classy champagne!

There, now that you're aware of the different types and varieties of mixed drinks, go ahead and start trying each one out so that you perfect each recipe and get to play the bartender of your own party! After all, the bar is where all the latest gossips are spilled and scandals are revealed! Let's raise a toast to that...