When you want to be the host of the season, it helps to know how to make a good drink. It doesn’t have to be complicated – some of the tastiest cocktails are some of the simplest – but having a few recipes under your belt is the ultimate way to impress your guests. Whether you’re making them solo or getting your friends involved.

So next time you’re hosting a cocktail party, dinner and drinks or a casual get together with friends, this curated list of fun cocktail recipes is guaranteed to make the event even better.

Get your shaker ready, pop the ice moulds in the freezer and fill the bar. It’s time to mix, shake and stir your way to unforgettable moments with friends.

Kicking off with a classic. You can’t go wrong with a Whisky Sour. This easy-going cocktail dates back centuries and is a real party pleaser. With only three ingredients, it couldn’t be easier. Yet the foamy top gives it an impressive edge. Sweet, simple and sour, it’s a favourite for whisky lovers and those new to the spirit.

Manhattan’s are a timeless drink that add a sophisticated edge to any event. But if you want to go original, then you’ve got to make the Maraschino Cherry Manhattan. It’s extra sweet and extra bold, with plenty of rich cherry flavour.

Summer drinks should be easy. And it doesn’t get easier than our Whisky Smash. Smooth Scottish single malt pairs with coconut and sour lime to create a cocktail that’s both refreshingly tropical. Make a batch or get friends to help themselves to ingredients.

Introduce your friends to this modern classic. The Paper Plane is a bar menu staple, yet has only been around since 2008. It’s a bittersweet mix of whisky and Aperol, perfect for those who love their Aperol Spritzes in summer.

The Golden Highball is made for easy hosting. Light, citrusy and sparkling, it’s a simpler, more refreshing alternative to heavier creamy serves, making it ideal when guests want something easy-drinking.

The Elderflower Collins is light, fizzy, and full of sunshine in a glass. Mixing the floral sweetness of elderflower with the zesty brightness of lemon, it perfectly complements the smooth depth of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve.

It’s easy to shake up, endlessly refreshing, and looks as good as it tastes: the kind of drink that brings a touch of sparkle to any afternoon spent catching up and laughing together.

Whether you’re celebrating Burns Night or in the mood for a fruity, desert inspired drink, our Cranachan cocktail is a perfect choice. Raspberries and lemon add a fruity kick to single malt scotch, with a dash of balsamic vinegar to balance out the sweetness.

The Umeshu Highball is wonderfully simple yet feels effortlessly refined. With just two ingredients, smooth The Glenlivet 12 Year Old and the sweet, nutty richness of umeshu, it’s quick to mix but full of depth and character.

Light, elegant, and beautifully balanced, it’s the kind of drink that invites easy conversation and a bit of curiosity, making it perfect for sharing and enjoying together.

Give your hosting line-up something moodier with the Weathered Axe. This bold, spirit-forward cocktail combines whisky with lemon, ginger and orange liqueur for a richer, more warming serve that feels ideal for evening drinks with friends.

Move over Mimosas, the Morning Glory Fizz is the ultimate brunch cocktail. Fresh, frothy and a little theatrical, it combines 50ml The Glenlivet single malt, 20ml lemon juice, 20ml egg white, 10ml simple syrup, 15ml crème de pêche, 5ml peach eau de vie and 3 dashes of absinthe, finished with soda water for a long, lively serve.

Dry shake the ingredients first, then shake again with ice, strain into a highball glass and top with soda water. The peachy sweetness and frothy texture make this a genuinely fun one to serve when friends are over.

If you’re hosting this autumn, make sure to whip up a batch of Whisky Punch. Built for sharing, this crowd-pleaser mixes 3 parts The Glenlivet single malt, 1 part orange juice, 1 part lemon juice, 1 part maple syrup, 1 part ginger ale and 48 dashes of Angostura bitters, finished with citrus and cinnamon garnish.

Combine everything in a punch bowl with ice, then garnish with lemon wheels, orange half wheels, grated cinnamon and cinnamon sticks. It’s citrusy, sweet and gently spiced — exactly the sort of serve that gets people hovering around the drinks table.

A whisky sour with an autumnal upgrade, the Maple Whisky Sour swaps classic sugar syrup for richer maple sweetness, creating a deeper, more seasonal twist on the familiar serve.

It’s ideal when you want something recognisable but with a little extra warmth — great for cooler evenings or more relaxed hosting.

The T Stagg Slide is the indulgent one in the line-up. Combining whisky with coffee liqueur, date syrup and cream, it’s rich, dessert-like and perfect when you want a cocktail that doubles as an after-dinner treat.

A fun conversation-starter for hosting, especially when everyone thinks they’ve already seen every whisky cocktail going.

Celebrating with friends doesn’t need a reason. This elegant whisky Champagne cocktail combines 35ml The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, 15ml lemon juice, 15ml honey water and 80ml Champagne, finished with a lemon twist.

Pour the whisky, lemon juice and honey water into a chilled flute, top with Champagne, stir gently and garnish. It’s polished but refreshingly easy to pull together.

The Grapefruit Paloma brings instant sunshine to any get-together. This bright, zesty serve mixes 50ml The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, 45ml grapefruit juice, 10ml lime juice and 15ml sugar syrup, topped with soda water for a refreshing, bittersweet finish.

Shake the whisky, grapefruit, lime and syrup together, strain into an ice-filled highball, top with soda water and garnish with a grapefruit wedge. An easy crowd-pleaser when guests want something lighter.

Gather round the firepit with a classic Hot Toddy. This timeless serve combines whisky, honey, lemon and warming spice for a cocktail that feels instantly cosy without requiring much effort.

Perfect for colder evenings, it’s the sort of drink that works brilliantly as a help-yourself serve from a warmed jug or pot while everyone settles in.

The Blackberry Whisky Sour is a playful twist on a classic, combining 50ml The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, 3 blackberries, 25ml lemon juice, 15ml sugar syrup and 15ml egg white or aquafaba for a rich, fruity serve with a silky finish.

Add everything to a shaker and dry shake first, then add ice and shake again before pouring over ice. It looks impressive, tastes balanced, and feels just special enough for dinner-party drinks.

The Apple Cinnamon Spritz captures everything people love about autumn hosting in one glass. Crisp apple and warming spice bring familiar seasonal flavours, while the sparkling finish keeps it feeling light, celebratory and easy to sip.

We’ve got plenty more recipes to make with friends using The Glenlivet. From dinner party cocktails to batch cocktails, there’s something for every occasion. Discover more including our guide on cocktail food pairings and the best after dinner whiskies.