These homemade drink recipes include iced tea lemonade, peach lemonade, horchata, smoothies, warm cocoa and several cocktails. Start with the section that suits the occasion. The nonalcoholic choices and adult cocktails are listed separately so you can choose without opening every recipe first.
Preparation ranges from a quick blend to an overnight rice soak or a cooled homemade syrup. Horchata and several other drinks contain dairy; coconut-flavored yogurt is ordinarily dairy-based too. Cocktails in the last section contain alcohol, including spirits, liqueurs or sparkling wine.
Homemade Drink Recipes without Alcohol
These choices use fruit, tea, rice or nonalcoholic cider, with different preparation schedules.
1. Homemade Iced Tea Lemonade with Lemon Slices and Ice
Brewed black tea is combined with a separately cooled sugar syrup, lemon juice and water. The pitcher is chilled before being divided over ice.
2. Homemade Peach Lemonade
Fresh peaches are blended with lemon juice and sugar, then strained into a pitcher. Cold water dilutes the mixture, which is stirred before later pours.
3. Classic Mexican Horchata
Rice and cinnamon soak under refrigeration before blending and straining. Chilled milk, vanilla and sugar finish this horchata, so plan the overnight stage in advance.
4. Slow Cooker Apple Cider with Orange and Whole Spices
Nonalcoholic apple cider warms in the slow cooker with orange slices and whole spices. Remove the fruit and spices before serving in heat-safe mugs.
5. Strawberry Colada Smoothie
A banana-pineapple coconut yogurt base is layered with separate strawberry puree. The two mixtures are gently swirled in glasses for a thick fruit smoothie.
Warm Cocoa and Milkshakes
Choose a warm pumpkin drink, a stored dry cocoa mix or a cold chocolate-mint dessert shake.
6. Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon and Spice
Pumpkin puree and spices are whisked into milk before white chocolate is melted through. Warm gently rather than using a rolling boil, then divide among mugs.
7. Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix with Powdered Milk
Milk powder, cocoa and sugar make a dry mix stored in a labeled jar. The full recipe gives a separate mug measure to dissolve in hot water when needed.
8. Chocolate Mint Milkshake with Cookies and Whipped Cream
Chocolate ice cream, milk and chocolate-mint cookies blend into a dessert shake. Reserved cookie crumbs and optional whipped cream finish the small glasses at serving.
Cocktails for Adults
The following recipes contain alcohol. Compare citrus, coffee and tropical flavors before choosing.
9. Gin and Cucumber Basil Smash with Lemon and Tonic
Gin is shaken with muddled cucumber, basil, lemon and syrup before straining over fresh ice. Tonic water is added afterward for a small carbonated finish.
10. Frozen Pink Grapefruit Prosecco Cocktail with Vodka
Grapefruit juice, vodka and ice are blended into a slush. Chilled prosecco is poured into the glasses afterward rather than blended with the carbonated wine.
11. Espresso Martini with Vodka, Coffee Liqueur and Foam
Cooled espresso is shaken with vodka, coffee liqueur and syrup. Strain into a small glass after shaking, leaving the used ice behind.
12. Homemade Classic Margarita Recipe with Fresh Lime
Tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and syrup are stirred over serving ice. A partial salt rim and lime wedge are optional finishing details.
13. Spicy Paloma Cocktail
A cooled jalapeno syrup brings heat to grapefruit juice and tequila. Measure one drink from the syrup batch, then add sparkling water gently at the end.
14. Pineapple Orange Rum Cocktail
Coconut rum, spiced rum, orange liqueur and two fruit juices are shaken and strained over ice. A small grenadine splash and fruit garnish finish the cocktail.
Before You Choose Your Recipe
Chill brewed tea, syrups and soaked mixtures as directed, and stir pitchers before serving when ingredients settle. Use a blender suited to ice when needed, and add carbonated liquids at the stage given in the recipe. For warm drinks, allow a comfortable sipping temperature before serving.
