For King's Day, it is best to choose a mix of three to five orange classics: a signature orange cocktail, a light spritz, a mimosa for brunch, and an espresso martini for the evening, supplemented with a non-alcoholic mocktail for guests who do not drink. Those who want to save time or are serving a large group should opt for ready-to-drink bottles or cocktail boxes from Cocktails by Nina. Keep an eye on the Dutch age limit and ensure there is plenty of water available.
In summary:
- Only Dutch cocktails with jenever or orange liqueur provide a more national atmosphere for King's Day.
- For large groups or when time is short, ready-to-drink cocktails and boxes offer great convenience and consistency.
- Above all, drink plenty of water and set up a water station to prevent dehydration and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Order well in advance, as web shops are busy around King's Day and must strictly enforce age checks.
- No alcohol under the age of 18 and check your municipality's rules regarding drinking in public.
Table of Contents
- Six quick, festive King's Day recipes and easy variations
- Ready-to-drink cocktails and mocktails: why and how to order them in the Netherlands
- Serving tips, responsible drinking, and the rules you need to know
- Why Cocktails by Nina is suitable for King's Day orders
- Which Dutch snacks go well with your King's Day cocktails
- What I learned myself from previous King's Day parties
- Order your King's Day cocktails and accessories now
- Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions
Six quick, festive King's Day recipes and easy variations
These recipes are designed to be quick to make and easy to scale up for a garden or street party.
- Signature orange cocktail: 5 cl vodka, 3 cl orange liqueur, 2 cl lemon juice, and a splash of orange juice, served over ice with a slice of orange.
- Orange spritz: 6 cl orange bitter, 9 cl prosecco, and a splash of club soda in a large wine glass, garnished with an orange wedge.
- Mimosa for brunch: equal parts cold cava and freshly squeezed orange juice, served directly in a flute or a large pitcher for the group.
- Espresso martini: 5 cl vodka, 3 cl coffee liqueur, and 3 cl fresh espresso, shaken well with ice; this type of coffee cocktail is gaining strong momentum, according to 2025 search trends.
- Orange punch for groups: per liter, mix 400 ml orange juice, 300 ml orange liqueur, 300 ml prosecco, and plenty of ice cubes and orange slices in a large bowl.
- Non-alcoholic orange mocktail: orange juice, ginger beer, and a dash of grenadine syrup over ice, finished with mint.
Those who prefer not to manage a homemade punch can find similar orange-hued recipes and summery variations in the summer cocktail guide for inspiration.
A few standard rules apply to every recipe:
- Scale up simply by multiplying the ratios by the number of guests.
- Replace vodka with jenever for a more Dutch touch, especially in the signature cocktail and the punch.
- Serve the mimosa and spritz in pitchers so you don't have to mix individual glasses constantly.
Pro-tip: Make the punch and the mocktail an hour in advance and add ice just before serving so the flavor remains concentrated and nothing becomes watered down.
Ready-to-drink cocktails and mocktails: why and how to order them in the Netherlands
For a large group or when you have little preparation time, a ready-to-drink cocktail is often smarter than mixing them yourself. You save time, every guest gets the exact same flavor, and you don't have to keep a stock of loose bottles and syrups. Cocktails by Nina offers several categories for this: ready-to-drink cocktails in bottles, cocktail boxes for those who want to offer multiple flavors, a shots pack for a quick celebratory moment, and mocktails for guests who do not drink.
Order in time, as the days around King's Day are busy ordering periods for every web shop. When ordering alcohol in the Netherlands, the Alcohol Act dictates that web shops may offer a maximum of 25% discount and must verify age both during the ordering process and upon delivery.
When ordering, pay attention to:
- The number of bottles or boxes relative to the number of guests and the duration of the party.
- Adequate cooling upon delivery, especially if the party is outdoors and during the day.
- Allergens in liqueurs and syrups, especially for guests with nut allergies.
- Gift packaging, if you want to give a bottle as a present.
Serving tips, responsible drinking, and the rules you need to know
In the Netherlands, you may buy alcohol and have it in your possession in public from the age of 18; for minors, possession is a punishable offense and can lead to a fine, as stated by the Dutch government. Furthermore, some municipalities have their own local ordinances (APV) that restrict drinking in specific squares or streets during King's Day, so check your local municipality's rules in advance.
When ordering online, there is an additional layer of control: web shops must verify age during the ordering process, and the courier may ask for identification upon delivery.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) advises adults to drink enough fluids daily to stay properly hydrated, typically between one and a half and two liters, and that advice is at least as relevant during a holiday: alternate alcoholic drinks with water or tea.
A practical approach for a successful and responsible party:
- Set up a visible water station next to the cocktail bar.
- Work with a fixed serving schedule instead of allowing unlimited refills.
- Agree on a designated driver in advance (the "Bob" approach).
- Stop serving when there are signs of clear intoxication.
Why Cocktails by Nina is suitable for King's Day orders
There are Dutch web shops that deliver bar-quality ready-to-drink cocktails and mocktails, along with accessories and catering services for events.
- The range of cocktails and mocktails aligns directly with the orange recipes in this article.
- Cocktail boxes and the shots pack are practical for larger groups who want to taste different flavors.
- Glassware and cocktail accessories complete the presentation without needing to shop at multiple stores.
- For corporate parties or large King's Day events, the web shop also offers custom solutions and catering.
More background information on quality control when serving at home can be found in the bar-quality tips.
Which Dutch snacks go well with your King's Day cocktails
An orange cocktail gains character with the right snack beside it. Bitterballen and cheese straws go well with the signature orange cocktail and the punch, as the salty and savory contrast balances the sweet orange flavor. With the mimosa, a light brunch table with sandwiches, smoked salmon, and fresh fruit works better than heavy snacks, because the cocktail itself is already fresh and light.
The espresso martini requires a different kind of accompaniment: choose almond cookies, chocolate, or a small piece of apple pie, as the coffee flavor pairs well with sweet, creamy accents. For the orange spritz, a board with aged cheese, sausage, and olives is a classic choice that you can set up quickly at a street or garden party without needing to cook.
Those seeking inspiration for a more extensive list of snacks for a party can find practical ideas in this overview of festive dishes for event planners. For a garden party with many guests, it is smart to count one cocktail per two snacks so that no one drinks on an empty stomach.
What I learned myself from previous King's Day parties
During previous outdoor parties, I noticed that chilled bottles warmed up too quickly as soon as the sun really broke through, and no one took that into account when packing the cooler. Always have more ice ready than you think you need, and keep a few bottles aside in the shade. For more practical ideas regarding scale and quantities, I refer to the guide on cocktails for a garden party.
— Ruud
Order your King's Day cocktails and accessories now
Those who do not want to waste time mixing on King's Day can simply order ready-made drinks from Cocktails by Nina and organize a complete party in minutes, from orange cocktails to matching glassware.
- View the ready-to-drink cocktails and mocktails for every guest.
- Choose a cocktail box or the shots pack for variety in large groups.
- Complete your bar with glassware and cocktail accessories.
There are suppliers who deliver custom solutions for both small private parties and larger corporate King's Day events. View the full range at Cocktails by Nina and order in time for April 27th.
Sources
- Can I carry alcohol in public? | Dutch Government
- Rules for the sale of alcohol | NVWA
- Fluid balance | Voedingscentrum
- Research: Top 10 most popular cocktails in the Netherlands in 2025 | Misset Horeca
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular cocktails in the Netherlands?
Classics like the mojito and gin-tonic remain popular, but coffee-based cocktails like the espresso martini and brunch drinks like the mimosa gained significant ground in 2025 according to search trends from Misset Horeca. This makes both a logical choice for a King's Day party.
What is a typical Dutch cocktail for King's Day?
A typical Dutch interpretation combines an orange base, such as orange liqueur or orange bitter, with a local spirit like jenever instead of vodka. This gives the cocktail a recognizable Dutch character that fits the holiday.
Where do I order ready-to-drink cocktails for King's Day?
Ready-to-drink cocktails and mocktails for King's Day can be ordered from the Dutch web shop Cocktails by Nina, with options in bottles, boxes, and shots. Order well in advance, as demand is high around King's Day.
Can I drink alcohol as a 16-year-old on King's Day?
No, the legal age for buying and possessing alcohol in the Netherlands is 18, even on King's Day. Minors found carrying alcohol in public risk a fine according to the Dutch government.
How much water should I drink between cocktails?
The Nutrition Centre advises adults to drink at least 1.4 to 1.8 liters of fluid daily, and that advice applies fully during a holiday involving alcohol. Therefore, alternate every cocktail with a glass of water or tea.
