There's a version of hosting where you spend the night shaking drinks and another where you actually enjoy your own party. The secret weapon of the second version? A carefully chosen lineup of premixed cocktails that taste like a bartender made them.
Not the shelf-stable, canned malt beverages your guests will politely nurse. We're talking about full-strength, spirits-based cocktails made with real ingredients — the kind that make someone say, "Wait, what am I drinking? This is actually great."
What Makes a Great Premixed Cocktail for Entertaining?
Before you start stocking your bar cart, it's worth knowing what separates a genuinely good RTD cocktail from the ones that taste vaguely of "fruit punch with regrets."
Real spirits base. The best premixed cocktails are made with actual vodka, bourbon, gin, or rum — not malt liquor or fermented sugars masquerading as cocktails. Check the label. If the base spirit isn't named, keep scrolling.
Natural ingredients. Artificial flavors are the enemy of a convincing cocktail. Look for brands that use real juices, natural botanicals, and clean sweeteners. Your taste buds will notice the difference even if your guests can't articulate why one is better.
Full strength. Most great cocktails are made at around 15–25% ABV. Anything significantly lower is probably cutting corners somewhere. Bar-quality premixed cocktails hold up to ice without becoming watery immediately.
Variety. Different guests want different drinks. A good entertaining lineup covers at least a few flavor profiles — something spirit-forward for the whiskey drinkers, something bright and citrusy for the wine crowd, something refreshing and light for everyone else.
Best Premixed Cocktails by Occasion
Dinner Parties
A dinner party calls for cocktails sophisticated enough to hold up against food conversation but approachable enough that no one's intimidated. Black Orchid — a vodka martini with orange blossom and lemon — works beautifully as an aperitif. For something to sip alongside the meal, French 75 (gin, lemon, a touch of honey) bridges the gap between bold and refined.
Summer Cookouts and Backyard Gatherings
You need volume, you need something cold, and you need it to work for beer drinkers and cocktail people alike. The Minted Mule — vodka, fresh mint, ginger, lime — is exactly the right call. Pile bottles in a cooler full of ice, put out some glasses, let guests pour their own.
Holiday Gatherings
The holidays mean a full range of guests with wildly different drink preferences. Leading Role (bourbon, orange, aromatics) reads as festive and spirit-forward without being intimidating. Pair it with something lighter like a Peach Cosmo for guests who want something more playful.
Brunch
Brunch cocktails are the most forgiving — your guests expect something fun, not necessarily serious. The Air Mail (rum, honey, lime) and Peach Cosmo are natural fits. Both are bright, fruit-forward, and complement food without overwhelming it.
How Many Bottles Do You Actually Need?
The general rule: plan for two to three cocktails per guest over the course of an event. A 375ml bottle of Brody's serves about two cocktails over ice. For a dinner party of eight, six to eight bottles gives you comfortable coverage with a little left over. For larger gatherings, stock two or three different options to cover the full range of guest preferences.
Pro Tips for Serving RTD Cocktails at a Party
The biggest mistake people make with premixed cocktails is not chilling them properly. These need to be refrigerator-cold before serving — ideally at least four hours ahead. Serve over ice in proper glassware, and consider a simple garnish like a mint sprig, citrus twist, or fresh herb. A small handwritten card naming each cocktail and its ingredients goes a long way — guests feel taken care of, and it sparks conversation.
Where to Find Brody's for Your Next Event
Brody's Crafted Cocktails are available at 87+ Whole Foods Market locations across 11 states, as well as Total Wine and other premium retailers. You can also shop the full lineup online and have it shipped directly to you in 36 states. All-natural. Full-strength. Award-winning.