The Best Birthday Cocktails

Celebrate another trip around the sun in style with one of these celebratory birthday cocktails in hand! These drinks are truly a treat, but only for 21st birthdays and up, of course.

A bowl of rainbow sprinkles next to a birthday cocktail.

Your ultimate guide to birthday cocktails

Birthdays. Some people prefer skip the celebration. Me? I say bring it on! Why wouldn’t you want a day dedicated to you, especially if it comes with special drinks, treats and presents?!

A birthday is a day to sip something special, and these drinks are certainly a treat for your taste buds! Some embody a birthday cake in their flavors while others transform your favorite dessert into drink form.

Reference these recipes anytime you want to host a birthday bash, for you or for someone else. Don’t forget the candles!

Birthday cocktail ideas

When you’re picking a birthday cocktail for someone else, there are a few things to consider:

  • Consider the birthday person’s tastes. An introvert may prefer a small, intimate gathering while an extrovert might enjoy a big surprise bash. If they have a favorite drink, like a margarita or whiskey, you can make that the signature drink of the night. Wine drinkers might love it if everyone brought a bottle of wine for a wine tasting party.
  • Offer an activity. Whether it’s a drink station with all of the ingredients everyone needs to make their own drink or a photo station to capture memories, giving people something to do can help break the ice and get the conversation flowing.
  • Pick a theme. Whether it’s a decades party celebrating the guest of honor’s favorite decade or a costume party focused on their favorite film, a theme is a fun way to keep the party focused. In addition to the decorations, you’ll want to tailor your drinks and snacks to the theme too.
Cupcake with frosting and sprinkles on a stand, paired with two glasses rimmed in sprinkles for a birthday cake shot vibe. Colorful pencils add flair to the white surface scattered with vibrant sprinkles.

Quick tips for hosting birthday parties

Birthday parties are so fun to host! You get to celebrate a special person in your life with a party dedicated to them. Here are a few tips that I follow to ensure things go smoothly:

  1. Drinks should complement the menu. Once you have a theme and a menu picked out, add drinks that go with the food you’re making.
  2. Your presence is a present. Prep things ahead of time, like pre-mixing cocktails or setting up the snacks, so you’re able to enjoy the celebration with your guests.
  3. Options aren’t optional. Provide those in attendance with a couple of drinks to choose from in addition to the birthday cocktail you serve. Infused water is great for keeping everyone hydrated and a good mocktail goes a long way for those who prefer not to imbibe that’s a level up from soda.

Birthday cocktail garnishes

Here are some ways you can dress up your birthday cocktails up to feel ultra festive.

  • Rim the cocktail in frosting & sprinkles. Roll the edge of the glass in frosting. I love this buttercream frosting, but you can also use cream cheese frosting or even royal icing. (See this sugar cookie martini for instructions on how to rim a cocktail with frosting and sprinkles.) This is a fun and delicious garnish to make any drink feel festive.
  • Use fancy sprinkles. Oh, and let’s talk about the sprinkles. Did you know you can make your own sprinkles? It’s super easy and you can have fun customizing the colors to match the birthday theme.
  • Add a birthday candle. You can stick a regular birthday candle in a drinking straw to use as a stirrer, or invest in these wish clips that stick to the edge of the glass.
  • Use a fun drink stirrer. Use colorful rock candy or a festive, sparkly drink stirrer to dress up the cocktail glass.
Celebrating another year? Blow out your candles, make a wish and take a sip of a Birthday Cake White Russian! With extra sprinkles on the rim and a birthday candle cocktail stirrer, of course. (via feastandwest.com)

What to serve with birthday drinks

If you think birthdays require a cake, think again! There are so many desserts that would be the perfect way to keep the party going.

Dessert first. Champagne cupcakes are an elegant option, but are so easy to make. Champagne buttercream frosting provides a perfectly boozy topper that everyone will love! If you’re starting the celebration early in the day with a breakfast or brunch, try a batch of birthday cake cinnamon rolls. You can even add a candle for extra pizzaz!

For something guests can grab and go, birthday cake popcorn is a colorful and sweet party snack. Pair it with a bowl of movie theatre popcorn for a sweet and salty combo that’s hard to beat.

It can’t all be cake! If you need something more substantial, I prefer to stick with appetizers that are easy to eat. This lets guest mingle more and keeps the energy of the party high. Pizza pinwheels and air fryer mozzarella sticks are definite crowd pleasers. For a fancier menu, you can never go wrong with a charcuterie board — you can even add the guest of honor’s favorite bites — or open-faced margherita sandwiches.

The best birthday cocktails

The perfect birthday cocktail will impress guests and make the guest of honor feel special. With a few small touches, you can mix up the best present of the night!

1
A white cocktail in a stemless martini glass on a gold tray with sprinkles and birthday candles.
Birthday Cake Martini
This Birthday Cake Martini tastes just like a slice of frosted cake in a glass! It's sweet, festive and perfect for toasting to another fabulous year.
Get the Recipe
2
Chocolate Cake Shooters next to chocolate squares and chocolate cake.
Chocolate Cake Shot
The Chocolate Cake Shot is a little boozy trick — even with ingredients that don't sound like they'd go together, it somehow tastes exactly like cake, no baking required. It’s quick, fun and always gets people talking!
GET THE RECIPE
3
sprinkles rimming a birthday cake white Russian
Birthday Cake White Russian
A fun twist on a classic, this Birthday Cake White Russian adds a creamy, cake-flavored flair to your celebration. It’s rich, smooth and totally party-worthy. It's easy to batch ahead for parties.
Get the Recipe
4
Small cups of creamy dessert topped with whipped cream and star-shaped sprinkles on a white tray.
Rumchata Pudding Shots
These RumChata Pudding Shots are creamy, boozy and fun-sized — ideal for birthdays and get-togethers. They’re like grown-up snack packs with a kick! Add rainbow sprinkles for a birthday touch.
GET THE RECIPE
5
www.thespeckledpalate.com
Funfettini Martini
This Funfettini Martini is basically a birthday party in liquid form! With sprinkles and cake flavor, it’s as fun to drink as it is to look at.
Get the Recipe
6
A shot glass filled with a creamy birthday cake shot, rimmed with colorful sprinkles. Cupcakes sit in the background, while candles flicker nearby.
Birthday Cake Shots
These Birthday Cake Shots are a guaranteed hit at any party. They’re sweet, creamy and go down smooth — like a mini celebration in each glass!
Get the Recipe
7
Two champagne margaritas sit on a gold tray along with lime wedges and a champagne cork.
Champagne Margarita
Bubbly meets bold in this Champagne Margarita, perfect for a festive birthday toast. It’s crisp, citrusy and just the right amount of fancy.
GET THE RECIPE
8
www.loveandoliveoil.com
Unicorn Hot Chocolate
This magical Unicorn Hot Chocolate is like a warm, colorful hug in a mug. It’s great for birthday mornings and winter birthdays alike, or anytime you want something sweet and whimsical!
Get the Recipe
9
A creamy coffee cocktail topped with chocolate shavings sits in front of a slice of chocolate cake.
Mudslide Cocktail
A Mudslide is like an adult milkshake that never disappoints. With creamy chocolate and coffee notes, it's perfect for dessert or sipping during a birthday party.
GET THE RECIPE
10
Carrot cake slice on a plate with two small glasses of creamy beverage adorned with coconut flakes, accompanied by whole pecans.
Carrot Cake Shot
This Carrot Cake Shot has all the spiced, creamy goodness of the real thing — just in cocktail form. It’s perfect for spring birthday celebrations and totally unique!
GET THE RECIPE
11
A Tiramisu Martini sits on a gold coaster with a lady finger dessert to the right
Tiramisu Martini
The Tiramisu Martini is elegant, smooth and full of rich coffee and cocoa flavor. It’s the perfect birthday or dessert alternative for a birthday dinner party.
GET THE RECIPE
12
a candy cane cookie garnishing a sugar cookie martini next to baked and frosted sugar cookies and a cocktail shaker
Sugar Cookie Martini
The Sugar Cookie Martini tastes just like your favorite soft cookie — sweet, buttery and cozy. It’s a delightful way to raise a glass on anyone's big day. Use rainbow sprinkles for the ultimate birthday look.
GET THE RECIPE
13
A glass filled with a creamy chocolate drink topped with chocolate shavings. A chocolate stick garnish rests on the rim. Another similar glass is blurred in the background.
Chocolate Martini
The Chocolate Martini is a smooth, decadent treat for any chocolate lover. It’s rich, indulgent and a total crowd-pleaser at birthday celebrations. It goes exceptionally well with chocolate birthday cake!
GET THE RECIPE
14
A shiny gold tray sits on a white marble surface holding two martini glasses filled with coffee-colored liquid. Coffee beans are scattered around
Espresso Martini
Every coffee lover needs an Espresso Martini at their birthday party. This popular pick is bold, smooth and guaranteed to keep the celebration going.
GET THE RECIPE
15
A glass of creamy brown drink topped with ground nutmeg is placed beside another similar glass, a brass jigger, and some almonds on a white surface.
Toasted Almond Cocktail
Creamy and smooth with notes of almond and coffee, this retro cocktail is an easy sipper that feels like a heavenly slice of almond cake in a glass. Serve it over ice for a rich yet refreshing birthday drink.
GET THE RECIPE
16
Two bowls of coffee ice cream with gold spoons.
Easy Affogato
Part dessert, part nightcap, this classic Italian treat pours hot espresso over vanilla ice cream for an easy, elegant finish. Add a splash of liqueur like amaretto or coffee liqueur — and maybe a few sprinkles — to make it party-ready.
GET THE RECIPE
17
Glass of milk with a stack of oat cookies on the left and more cookies on a plate in the background.
Oatmeal Cookie Shot
The Oatmeal Cookie Shot tastes just like the real thing — sweet, spiced and totally nostalgic. It’s a fun, easy choice for toasting with friends at any birthday bash.
GET THE RECIPE
18
Closeup of a chocolate old-fashioned cocktail in a rocks glass with chocolate rim and chocolate out of focus in the background
Chocolate Old-Fashioned
This Chocolate Old-Fashioned gives a sweet, cocoa twist to a classic cocktail. It’s bold and smooth with just the right touch of chocolate. Serve it with chocolate or peanut butter cupcakes for a delicious pairing.
GET THE RECIPE
19
www.mybakingaddiction.com
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Cocktail
The Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Cocktail brings tropical birthday cake vibes to your glass. With layers of pineapple, cherry and vanilla, it’s fruity, festive and fun to sip.
Get the Recipe
20
Two S'mores Martinis alongside graham crackers and chocolate squares.
S’mores Martini
The S’mores Martini is a grown-up nod to childhood campfires, perfect for marking another trip around the sun. With chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker flavors, it’s nostalgic in the best way.
GET THE RECIPE
21
Two small jars of creamy drink with cinnamon rims, next to a gold jigger, a blue bowl of cereal, and scattered cereal pieces on a white background.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot
The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot tastes like your favorite childhood cereal with a boozy kick. Sweet, cinnamon-y and easy to make, it’s a playful way to start the birthday fun.
GET THE RECIPE

About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

decorative icon of a beer stein.

The Golden Ratio Guide:

Mix the perfect cocktail, every time

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!