15 Cocktails Every Twenty-Something Should Know How to Make

Learning to make cocktails is an essential part of adulting. When hosting your friends at home, you'll thank yourself for knowing how to whip up a whiskey smash or a margarita on the fly. But instead of learning just the basics, master these 15 creative takes on classics instead. They've got all the fancy flavors to satisfy sophisticated-adult you, and the fun Instagrammable colors for the millennial you not-so-secretly are.

Strawberry Rose Cocktail: Strawberries, gin, and rose syrup look great together and taste even better.

Citrus Mezcal Cocktails: If you've always loved tequila, odds are you're probably a mezcal fan too. They both taste very similar, but mezcal is a bit smokier.

Sparkling Passionfruit Margarita: When plain Champagne just isn't festive enough, this bubbly, tropical marg should do the trick.

Watermelon Cucumber Mimosa: Fair warning: Once you have this refreshing mimosa you may never be able to go back to the original.

Rainbow Mimosas: Each layer of these colorful mimosas is also a different flavor, including cranberry, orange, lemonade, and more.

Clementine Whiskey Smash: Whiskey, clementines, and cinnamon are a match made in cocktail heaven.

Strawberry-Jalapeño Margaritas: This spicy margarita will get you fired up in more ways than one.

Peony Colada: If you like piña coladas, then you're going to love this floral spin on the classic (and also maybe getting caught in the rain).

Spiked Strawberry Basil Lemonade: It just doesn't make sense to drink plain lemonade these days.

Chocolate Martini: Filled with cream, Bailey's liquor, vodka, and chocolate in two forms (shaved and syrup), this martini is equal parts cocktail and dessert.

Raspberry Gin Sparklers: These cute gin cocktails are begging to join your brunch party.

Key Lime Beergaritas: This beer and margarita fusion is quite possibly the most refreshing cocktail ever.

Prickley Pear Margaritas: Use cactus flowers to make these gorgeous margs, then use the cactus to make tender nopales tacos.

La Croix Pimm's Cup: This fruity British fave is even better when combined with the trendiest seltzer water around.

Gin Sorbet Cocktails: When it's hot and you can't decide between sorbet and a cool cocktail, this herby, citrusy treat will save the day.