For a long time, cocktails have been used to spice up a dinner patry along with an array of hors d’oeuvres and meals. Some combinations work well, no matter the theme of your gathering. Here are five classic cocktails that are great for entertaining your guests and helping you show off your bartending skills.

Old Fashioned
Developed during the 19th century, the old fashioned is one of the six basic drinks featured in David A. Embury’s The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks . This classic cocktail is a must-know and easy to make as it a sure-shit way of entertaining guests. The main ingredients are

• Bourbon or rye whiskey – 2 ounces
• Angostura bitters – 2 dashes
• Sugar – 1 cube or 1 tsp
• Orange – 2 peels twisted for garnish

Add some sugar in a glass and pour two dashes of angostura bitters. Then add two ounces of whiskey and stir the mixture while the sugar dissolves. Add the ice and stir again. Garnish the drink with twisted orange peels. Ready to be served. 

Whiskey Sour
The original whiskey sour dates back to the 18th century when sailors made this cocktail to water down liquor so the rations would last longer. Later, during the early 20th century, this classic cocktail caught up with style and is now a household for entertaining guests. Here are the ingredients:

• Bourbon – 2 ounces
• Fresh lemon juice – 3/4 ounce
• Sugar – 1 tsp
• Angostura bitters – 2 dashes for garnish
• Ice – 4 cubes

Add all the above ingredients except the ice into a shaker and dry shake for a few seconds. Then add the ice cubes and shake again. Strain the mixture with a coupe into a cocktail glass. Finally, garnish with three dashes of Angostura bitters. 

Cosmopolitan
Also called the Cosmo, this reddish cocktail was popularized by the character Carrie Bradshaw in the hit series Sex and the City . The Cosmopolitan is also a variant of the kamikaze cocktail. This cocktail needs

• Citrus vodka – 2 ounces
• Triple sec – 1 ounce
• Cranberry juice – 1.5 ounce
• Lime juice – 3 tsp
• Ice – 6 cubes
• Orange zest – for garnish

Add these ingredients into the shaker along with the ice cubes. Shake well and then strain the contents into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

Mint Julep
Once a prescription drink for stomach sickness has found its way to being one of the classic cocktails of the country. This is usually served in a silver mug or a highball glass with a straw. You need

• Bourbon – 2 ounces
• Simple syrup – 1/4 ounce
• Mint leaves – 8-10 for garnish
• Crushed ice – as necessary

Place a few leaves of mint at the bottom of a silver mug. Muddle the leaves, add bourbon, and then fill with crushed ice. Stir the cup and garnish with a few mint leaves. It is now ready to be served with a straw. 

Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a classic refresher among cocktails. One of the few cocktails that rely entirely on the gastronomical and calming effects of the ginger. It is also known for its signature copper serving mug. The main ingredients are

• Vodka – 2 ounces
• Ginger beer – 5 ounces
• Fresh lime juice – half ounce
• Ice – 3 cubes
• Lime – a slice for garnishing

Place three ice cubes into a Moscow Mule mug and pour the fresh lime into it. Then pour the vodka and fill it with ginger beer. Stir the mixture and then garnish with a slice of lime.