Making cocktails is a must-have skill to get through the summer, but there’s one small hiccup – there are tons of cocktails. Well, you don’t need to know how to make them all. You just need to know everyone’s favorites, the classics, especially if you’re entertaining guests for a house party. From a Margarita to a Mojito, nothing beats the heat like a refreshing glass of cool spirits. Here are some classic cocktail recipes for entertaining your guests by the pool:

Cosmopolitan cocktails
A perfect concoction of vodka, cranberry juice, citrus, and orange liquor, a cosmopolitan is the perfect cooling drink for the summer. The citrus flavor comes from the orange zest that can be added as a garnish, depending on your taste. Don’t forget to add some ice and shake the ingredients before straining the drink into a cocktail glass, and you can also use a lime wedge at the rim of the glass for a tangy twist.

Vodka martini
If you’re hosting a James Bond theme party, there’s nothing better than whipping up some delicious vodka martini, a classic cocktail recipe for entertaining guests. All you need is some vodka and a few tablespoons of dry vermouth. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker along with some ice, shake, and then strain into a chilled martini glass. Add an olive or a twist of lemon to the glass to garnish before serving.

Long Island iced tea
This is the perfect summer drink, and who does not love coke? Get that vodka, tequila, rum, gin, and triple sec, and pour each of them in equal parts. Don’t forget to squeeze in some fresh lime juice and add some cola and ice. Stir the drink, drop some fresh lime wedges, and pour to serve.

A mojito pitcher
Mojitos are super refreshing drinks and one of the classic cocktail recipes for entertaining guests at your house party. You’ll need limes, sugar, mint leaves, white rum, and some sparkling water. Chop up the limes and squish them with a muddler, add the mint leaves, and pour in the rum. Don’t forget to add the sparkling water and stir before serving.

Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary is one of the most complicated cocktails out there, but it is totally worth it. The perfect Bloody Mary has a whole lot of ingredients, so you’ll need vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, and celery salt, and you definitely cannot forget the Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces. For added flavor, add some liquid smoke and stir all the ingredients well. Garnish with green olives and serve.

Piña colada

If you like piña coladas, you should learn how to make this classic cocktail recipe, especially for entertaining guests at that house party you’ve been planning. Stock up on one part pineapple juice, and half parts each of white rum and coconut cream. To get the creamiest and most delicious pina colada, blend all the ingredients with some ice until smooth. To garnish your drink, use a pineapple wedge.