There are many kinds of cocktail recipes you can make at home, both for yourself and to entertain friends. If you have a decent bar rail stock (i.e., gin, vodka, rum, and whiskey), you can make almost any cocktail by adding the right mix and garnishes (i.e., maraschino cherries, lemon or lime slices or twists, etc.). However, these classic cocktails are the biggest crowd pleasers that will have your guests coming back for more:

1. Moscow mule
The Moscow mule was first made in the 1950s. It is a vodka-based cocktail. The recipe for it is 2oz of vodka, 3oz of ginger beer, and the juice of half a lime. Add all the ingredients into a highball glass over ice and garnish with a slice of lime.

2. Whiskey sour
The history of the whiskey sour goes back to the days of the Lincoln administration. This is how to make one. Take 2oz bourbon 3/4oz fresh lemon juice and 1/2oz simple syrup. Put all of the ingredients into a shaker with some ice and shake. Strain the drink into a highball glass and garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

3. Cosmopolitan
The cosmopolitan became popular in the 1990s due to a television show that was popular at the time. It is made by mixing 1 1/2oz citrus vodka, 1oz Cointreau, 1/2oz fresh lime juice, and a dash of cranberry juice. Put the ingredients into a shaker with some ice and shake. Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

4. Gin and tonic
In the 19th century, gin and tonic were used as antimalarial medicine for the British soldiers. For this drink, you need 2oz gin and 4oz of tonic water. Put the gin into a highball glass that has ice in it. Then top with the tonic water and garnish with two lime wedges or slices.

5. Bloody Mary
The bloody mary is a vodka-based drink that is often used at breakfast as a remedy for a hangover. This drink takes a little longer to make than a usual drink. You will need a lemon wedge, a lime wedge, 2oz vodka, 4oz tomato juice, 2 dashes of Tabasco sauce (optional), 2tsp prepared horseradish (optional), 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of celery salt, a pinch of black pepper, and a pinch of smoked paprika (optional). Pour celery salt onto a small plate. Then rub the juicy side of a lemon or lime wedge around the lip of a pint glass. Roll the outer edge of the rim of the glass in the celery salt until it is fully coated. Fill the glass with ice and set it to the side. In a shaker squeeze the lemon and lime wedges and drop them into the shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients to the shaker and shake gently. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with two green olives that are speared along with a lime wedge. Add a celery stalk or a dill pickle spear.