20 Cocktails to Get Your Galentine's Party Started

January 22, 2019
Photo: Ryan Moriarty; Styling: Callie Blount
Galentine's Day is one of many blessings Leslie Knope, formerly of the Pawnee Parks Department, has bestowed upon the world. If you're not a fan of Parks & Recreation, here's what you need to know about Galentine's Day: What started as a passing joke on a sitcom is now celebrated in real life on February 13. Its meant to promote "ladies celebrating ladies."  So, grab your gals and your 'tines, whip up a few of these cocktails, and get the party started!
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Rosy Apple Sparkler

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl
Rosy Apple Sparkler Recipe

Apple flavors pair with rosé to create a perfectly refreshing and satisfying cocktail. 

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Marionberry Mojito

Photo: Neil Dacosta
Marionberry Mojito Recipe

Marionberries, an exceptionally juicy, slightly tart blackberry variety developed by Oregon State University, are perfect for this fizzy summer refresher. You can also use regular blackberries.

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Classic Gin Martini

Photo: Ryan Moriarty; Styling: Callie Blount
Classic Gin Martini Recipe

The classic martini was made as a gin cocktail, but you can substitute for vodka if preferred.

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Pear and Pomegranate Bellini

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Pear and Pomegranate Bellini Recipe

For an elegant and fruity cocktail ready in just 5 minutes, try this easy bellini made with brandy, pomegranate juice and prosecco.

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Raspberry Rosé Bellini

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey
Raspberry Rosé Bellini Recipe

This simple and elegant spring cocktail is the perfect accompaniment to a special brunch spread, such as our Ultimate Eggs Benedict. Though the recipe was developed with Mother’s Day in mind, the rosé simple syrup used to create this cocktail offers a multitude of delicious possibilities any day of the week. The boozy syrup is incredibly simple to make and can be used to enhance the simplest of cocktails, as well as add an extra special touch when poured over desserts.

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La Croix “Backwards” Bellini

Sara Tane
La Croix “Backwards” Bellini Recipe

Rather than a traditional bellini, which consists of fresh peach purée and Prosecco or sparkling wine, we flip-flopped the bubbly beverages and opted for a sparkling peach seltzer (such as La Croix) along with a sweet white wine, like Riesling or Moscato. Fresh, crisp, and irresistably summery, this fruity spritzer is practically made to be sipped by the pool or tended to after a long day out in the sun.

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Strawberry Bellini

Strawberry Bellini Recipe

The original version of this cocktail hails from Harry's Bar in Venice. Our rendition substitutes strawberries for the traditional peaches. You can prepare the strawberry base up to one day ahead. Make sure to give it another spin in the blender just before mixing the cocktails.

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Raspberry "Sangre" Margaritas

Photo by Kelsey Hansen; Prop styling by Audrey Davis; Food styling by Torie Cox
Raspberry "Sangre" Margaritas Recipe

Serve this margarita for a party—you can make the raspberry mixture up to a day ahead, then simply add tequila and triple sec and blend with crushed ice before serving. Add a sugar rim and fresh raspberry garnish, and call it this summer's signature cocktail.

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Whole-Lime Margaritas

Time Inc. Video Studio
Whole-Lime Margaritas Recipe

 

These refreshing big-batch margaritas using entire limes—peel, pith, flesh, and all—take food waste reduction to the next level. Just dump all of your ingredients into a blender, give them a good whirl, and strain into a pitcher for the easiest, and likely most delicious, batch of margaritas you’ve ever made. 

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The Martinez

Photo by Victor Protasio; Prop styling by Audrey Davis; Food styling by Torie Cox
The Martinez Recipe

A sweet (but not cloying) precursor to the martini, this cocktail dates back to the 1880s. At Alfred's Steakhouse in San Francisco, the bar manager, Aaron Paul, scales up the booze and chills it ahead of time, so it's simpler to serve a crowd. For just 1 cocktail, use 2 oz. gin, 3/4 oz. vermouth, 1/4 oz. maraschino, and 2 dashes bitters.

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Grapefruit Beergaritas

photo by Greg DuPree
Grapefruit Beergaritas Recipe
Hold onto summer for just a little longer

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Berry Limoncello

Photo: Caitlin Bensel Styling: Lindsey Lower
Berry Limoncello Recipe

Raspberries and strawberries really brighten up the flavors in one this berry cocktail. Serve it up at a party for a perfectly summery and refreshing sip.

Sugars 18g (est. added sugars 17g)

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Strawberry Hibiscus Cooler

Photo: Iain Bagwell
Strawberry Hibiscus Cooler Recipe

With or without the vodka, this sweet-tart drink deserves a spot at brunch.

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Grapefruit Elderflower Cocktail

Photo: Greg Dupree Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas 
Grapefruit Elderflower Cocktail Recipe

Elderflower is the hidden treasure in this rum-spiked take on the traditional Salty Dog.

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Sparkling Citrus Cocktail

Sparkling Citrus Cocktail Recipe

Serve a company-worthy holiday cocktail made with fruit juices, sparkling wine, and sugar.

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Warm Spiced (and Spiked) Cabernet

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks
Warm Spiced (and Spiked) Cabernet Recipe

From the Kitchen of…Rachel Lasserre, Art Director

"If my cousin is in charge, then our warm wine punch goes especially boozy. Either way, it's got to have the oranges with the little cloves."

Garnish this punch with a cinnamon stick or orange slices.

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Sherry-Cava Citrus Fizz

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks
Sherry-Cava Citrus Fizz Recipe

From the Kitchen of…Scott Mowbray, Former Cooking Light Editor

"I wanted the Spanish flavors of Catalonian cava and Jerez sherry to mingle in a holiday punch. The syrup, called an oleo saccharum, pulls essential oils from the orange peel and perfumes the cocktail."

Make this punch up to 4 hours ahead, but wait to add the cava until just before serving.

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Blood Orange Mimosas

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower/Claire Spollen
Blood Orange Mimosas Recipe

We love the color blood oranges give this classic brunch cocktail. A dash of bitters adds depth. Look for orange bitters--such as Fee Brothers or Stirrings--at liquor stores or specialty grocers. ­The sugar cube dissolves as you sip, balancing the bitters and giving off bubbles for a festive touch. Juice the oranges and keep chilled up to a day ahead.

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Sweet Heat Arnold Palmer

Photo: Jennifer Causey Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Sweet Heat Arnold Palmer Recipe

The trick to layering beverages is to add liquids to the glass in order of most to least dense. We put most of the sugar into the lemonade (the denser liquid)­, so be sure to swirl before swigging.

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Cherry Berry Cocktail

Photo: Ryan Moriarty; Styling: Callie Blount
Cherry Berry Cocktail Recipe

This vodka cocktail is berry bliss. Garnish with a handful of your favorite berries skewered on a cocktail pick or straw. 

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