Happy Pride Month, guys, gals, glitter kittens, every lovely enby, allies, and each individual who finds themself in the LGBTQIA+ family. Let's be real, these cocktails are a fabulous choice even outside of Pride month, but when you have the spotlight on you, there's no time like the present to shake, garnish, and sip your way through the festivities. Love is love is love. And these Pride cocktails are nothing but love.
Into the Wine, Not the Label
Like David Rose famously says, "I do drink red wine. But I also drink white wine. And I've been known to sample the occasional rosé. And a couple summers back, I tried a merlot that used to be a chardonnay ... I like the wine and not the label." Pride month is all about celebrating, so kick things off with a sangria cocktail.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces red wine
- 2 ounce cranberry juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 ounce vanilla liqueur
- Ice
- Blueberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, red wine, cranberry juice, orange juice, and vanilla liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with blueberries.
Say Gay
Life isn't about following all the rules and traditions people expect. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "One has a moral responsibility to disobey just laws."
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 4 ounces watermelon juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, watermelon juice, lime juice, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Trans Rights Are Human Rights
The Human Rights Campaign estimated there are 2 million transgender people across the United States. All deserving of rights, protection, and safety. And that number only represents those who feel safe enough to step forward or live their truth. How many people is 2 million? It's the population of Trinidad and Tobago, five times the population of Iceland, the population of Chicago, double the population of Dallas, three times the population of Boston, and seven times the population of Buffalo.
Ingredients
- Rosemary, sugar, and lemon wedge for rim
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces pomegranate juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce rosemary simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
- With the dried rosemary and sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar mix to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and rosemary simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with cranberries.
Stonewall
The 1969 Stonewall riots changed everything. From June 28th to July 3rd, the gay community in New York City at the Stonewall rioted against police raids. By the final day, there were more than 1,000 supporters at the Stonewall Inn. History considers these riots as the catalyst to the gay rights movement in the United States.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces peach-infused whiskey
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce peach liqueur
- 1 egg white
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add peach whiskey, lemon juice, peach liqueur, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Netflix and Actually Chill
The sometimes forgotten people of the LGBT community are those who are asexual - people who do not experience sexual attraction towards individuals of any gender. Not to be confused with celibacy, asexuality is a spectrum. People who identify as ace often have little to no interest in sex but do seek love, emotional intimacy, and relationships.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- 1 ounce raspberry liqueur
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Crushed ice
- Club soda or tonic water to top off
- Raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add gin, raspberry liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Fill glass with crushed ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with raspberries.
Ban Hate, Not Drag
Celebrate the queens that came before and those still perform today.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces white rum
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- 3 ounces coconut milk
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Pineapple chunk and pineapple leaf for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple chunk and pineapple leaf.
Pride
Taste a rainbow of flavors as you celebrate Pride and all the joy, love, and acceptance it brings.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blueberry vodka
- 6 ounces lemon-lime soda
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, blueberry vodka, lemon-lime soda, and cranberry juice.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Girls Love Girls and Boys
Bisexuality isn't a phase. And it isn't indecision. Who knew Panic! At the Disco could say it so well, "But girls love girls and boys. Love is not a choice."
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ ounce blue curaçao
- Ice
- Orange club soda to top off
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, add ice, vodka, and blue curaçao.
- Top off with orange club soda.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Boys Love Girls and Boys
Bisexual guys, we see you. And you're certainly in good company: Billie Joe Armstrong, Brendon Urie, Jason Mraz, Pete Townshend, and David Bowie all identify as bi.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- ¾ ounce pomegranate liqueur
- Ice
- Lemon club soda to top off
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, add ice, vodka, and pomegranate liqueur.
- Top off with lemon club soda.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Chosen Family
If your family doesn't accept you, don't underestimate the chosen family you make along the way in life. What better time to toast to their health and love than with a cocktail during Pride month?
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- 1 ounce sour apple liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce vanilla simple syrup
- Ice
- Apple slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, apple vodka, sour apple liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with an apple slice.
All of the Above
Those who are pan are attracted to people of all genders, regardless of their gender identity -- and that attraction can be romantic, sexual, or emotional. Bella Thorne, Cara Delevingne, Kesha, Sarah Paulson, and Janelle Monáe have all stepped forward as being pansexual.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and salt for rim
- 1½ ounces mezcal
- 1½ ounces watermelon liqueur
- 3 ounces watermelon juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce agave syrup
- Ice
- Watermelon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
- With the salt on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the salt to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, watermelon liqueur, watermelon juice, lime juice, and agave syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a watermelon wedge.
Bi the Way
There's a world of bisexual puns and one-liners, but being bi isn't a joke or temporary. Bi energy is there whether you're with someone of the same gender or the opposite gender. And being bi isn't something someone needs to prove. Oh, and it's not a phase.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce blueberry liqueur
- 1-2 dashes simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Blueberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktial shaker, add ice, gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Add blueberry liqueur.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with blueberries.
We're All Born Naked
Famous for the phrase "We're all born naked, and the rest is drag," RuPaul changed the way America, and the world, saw drag. RuPaul explains his infamous quote: "We are all more than just what it says we are on our driver's license." What better time than Pride to raise a drink to that?
Ingredients
- 2 ounces fig-infused rye whiskey
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, fig whiskey, sweet vermouth, and cherry bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
Out and Proud
You don't need to be out and proud this Pride month to enjoy this cocktail. Sometimes you're not ready for the out step, and that is more than okay. You're still valid, you still matter, and you're still loved.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Empress gin
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce lavender simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, Empress Gin, lemon juice, and lavender simple syrup.
- Top off with club soda.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Let’s Get One Thing Straight, I’m Not
Relatable drink name. Relatable look. You don't need to add the sprinkles, but at least give this Pride cocktail a pop of color with an orange or lemon peel.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge and rainbow sprinkles for garnish
- 1½ ounces citron vodka
- ½ ounce cranberry juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
- With the sprinkles on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, citron vodka, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and orange liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
You Want a Lamborghini? Sip Martinis?
Then you better work ... it. And blast Britney Spears this Pride month while sipping a cocktail or two.
Ingredients
- Orange wedge and edible silver glitter for rim
- 1 ounce pineapple vodka
- 1 ounce peach liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- Small pinch orange petal dust
- Ice
- Prosecco to top off
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the orange wedge.
- With the sparkles on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sparkles to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pineapple vodka, peach liqueur, orange juice, and petal dust.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Mother
Mother is far from a new term coined by modern gay communities. GayTimes defines mother as "a term of respect for powerful, confident femininity" and can even be a label for cishet women who are queer icons. At its core, a Mother is a (sometimes older) caregiving member of the LGBT+ community, and started as a sign of affection among drag queens.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- 4 ounces lemonade
- ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Mint sprig and cucumber wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, vodka, lemonade, and elderflower liqueur.
- Top off with club soda.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and cucumber wheel.
Boston Marriage
Pride month is about celebrating all those relationships that no longer need to live in secret. Just like the Boston Marriage and all those other "close female friendships" in history.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Pronouns Aren't Optional
She/her, he/him, they/them, xe/xem -- pronouns aren't a fashionable addition to a social media profile. And using them is a sign of respect.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces lemon vodka
- 1 ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Ginger ale to top off
- Lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, lemon vodka, and grenadine.
- Top off with ginger ale.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon slice.
Here Lies My Dead Name
Remember how Margaret went by Maggie as a kid and now she wants to go by Margaret as an adult? The concept is no different except for the significance. A deadname is the former name, the birth name, a transgender person formally used. Use their current name. It costs nothing to be respectful. What better Pride cocktail for this than a riff of a riff on a cocktail called the Last Laugh.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce maraschino liqueur
- Ice
- Prosecco to top off
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, lime juice, and maraschino liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Ticket to Provincetown
A long-time haven for the LGBTQIA+ community, P-town is an oasis for any and all sexualities and genders on the tip of Cape Cod. With a population of just under 4,000 year-round, nearly 60,000 people flock to these shores in the summer. Now that's pride, and all the better reason to have a cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces citron vodka
- 3 ounces limeade
- 1½ ounces cranberry juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, citron vodka, limeade, cranberry juice, and orange liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
Stand With the Queens
Drag in the United States stretches far, far back to the 1800s. So many of them have been fearless leaders of the gay rights movement, including Marsha P. Johnson.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces prosecco
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 1 ounce cherry simple syrup
- 1 ounce club soda
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass or highball glass, add ice, prosecco, Aperol, cherry simple syrup, and club soda.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
Can't, I Have Plans With The Golden Girls
Even if you don't cancel your plans to hang with the Golden Girls, you know you'll have that theme song stuck in your head. And, remember, Pride is a marathon and not a sprint -- so have a night in with a cocktail to recoup and recharge.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces strawberry rum
- 4 ounces strawberry lemonade
- ¼ ounce jalapeño simple syrup
- Ice
- Mint sprig and strawberry slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, strawberry rum, strawberry lemonade, and jalapeño simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and strawberry slice.
Born This Way
To paraphrase Lady Gaga, we all entered into this world as superstars, you're beautiful in your own way, you're on the right track, you were born this way. Rejoice and love yourself today. Is this not the ultimate hype song for Pride?
Ingredients
- 2 ounces coconut rum
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Lime club soda to top off
- Lime wheel and mint leaf for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks or highball glass, add ice, coconut rum, and lime juice.
- Top off with lime club soda.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and mint leaf.
Acceptance
At the end of the day, the most important person to accept who you are is you. No, that doesn't mean you aren't ready to love someone until you love yourself. It means knowing you're a star, taking up the space you deserve in the world, and living your best life.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cinnamon whiskey
- 4 ounces cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, cinnamon whiskey, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
Pride Cocktails to Celebrate
Pride is a riot. That's the truth. Today, Pride month takes place in June as a nod to the Stonewall Uprising that started it all. What was once a single Gay Pride Day in June is now a 30-day celebration of all sexualities, genders, love, and the impact that the LGBT community has on the world. Kick of your pride party with our delicious cocktails.
It can be difficult or even unsafe to come out of the closet, but no matter where you are on your journey - even those who are allies - the world loves you. And you aren't alone. From The Trevor Project, who you can text (text 'START' to 678-678) or call (1-866-488-7386), or the LGBT National Help Center (1- 888-OUT-LGBT or 1-888-234-7243), you have a community and chosen family in your corner.
