Most of us love enjoying simple mixed drinks and cocktails from time to time, and we love it when we discover easy alcoholic drinks to make at home.
Creating no-muss, no-fuss mixed drinks is super easy, and there’s almost no way to mess up when using the proper measurements. These are also great cocktails to impress your guests and build your confidence for taking on more sophisticated recipes down the road. Best of all, they all taste incredible!
Mixology is a fun art to learn, and you don’t have to be a professional bartender to follow mixed drink recipes.
It’s the perfect time to enjoy refreshing mixed drinks with friends and family. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply winding down after a long day, having an array of easy-to-make mixed drinks at your disposal can transform any gathering into a memorable occasion.
In this article, you’ll discover a selection of straightforward mixed drink recipes that require minimal ingredients and preparation. These simple concoctions showcase the best flavors of the season, suited for all taste preferences. So get ready to embrace your inner mixologist and impress your guests with your newfound skills in crafting delightful beverages.
From easy drinks to make to those that require a little more finesse, we’ve got you covered in this list of easy drinks to make.
Are you ready for some amazing mixed drink ideas? Let’s learn how to make these 36 easy mixed drinks!
Source: haveacocktail.com
1. Hawaiian Shooter Cocktail Recipe
When you want super fruity mixed drinks with a grown-up taste, try the Hawaiian Shooter.
This cocktail has all the wonderful fruit flavors, including Midori Melon Liqueur, orange juice, and pineapple juice.
However, the Southern Comfort gives it a decidedly grown-up flavor.
You can strain this cocktail through a strainer and drink it straight up. However, the Hawaiian Shooter is also wonderful served in a tall glass with ice cubes.
Cranberry juice or peach schnapps is also good in this mixed drink.
Garnish with lemon slices, orange slices, cherries, or strawberries.
Source: thechunkychef.com
2. Mint Julep
An iconic cocktail from Kentucky, the Mint Julep is a classic that will win your heart.
The Mint Julep is the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby, and over Derby weekend every year, more than 120,000 Mine Juleps are allegedly served.
To make a homemade Mine Julep, here is what you need: fresh mint leaves, good bourbon, simple syrup, crushed ice.
Garnish your Mint Julep with more fresh mint leaves.
Source: moodymixologist.com
3. Gimlet
The classic gin Gimlet is one of our favorite easy cocktail recipes and its simplicity is utterly elegant.
While there are tons of variations in Gimlet recipes, the classic is quite simple.
To make the classic Gimlet recipe, you need gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup.
You can also make your Gimlet with Rose’s Lime Juice.
Other popular variations include the Vodka Gimlet and the Cucumber Gimlet.
Source: acouplecooks.com
4. Mudslide
A classic Mudslide is easy to make and it’s oh so decadent.
The original recipe is made in a cocktail shaker and calls for Irish cream liqueur such as Baileys and coffee liqueur (Kahlua or similar).
However, the Mudslide has also become popular in frozen form blended with vanilla ice cream.
Either way, a Mudslide is delicious and tastes like a rich dessert.
You need heavy cream and vodka to make a Mudslide.
Source: acouplecooks.com
5. Americano Cocktail Recipe
Although the Americano cocktail is a gorgeous mixed drink, it only has three ingredients: Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water (club soda).
The Americano cocktail inspired the Negroni, another hugely popular cocktail.
This mixed drink is bubbly, complex, and bitter, all at the same time.
In the 1860s, the Americano cocktail was created by the owner of a bar in Milan, Italy called the Caffe Campari.
The name of the Americano came about because it was so popular with American tourists.
Source: thelittleepicurean.com
6. Fresh Lime Margaritas
A margarita is a classic Mexican cocktail, and our favorite way to enjoy this sweet and salty mixed drink is on the rocks.
This recipe for a fresh lime margarita calls for only all-natural ingredients, and this recipe is quite different from the margarita many of us are accustomed to drinking in restaurants.
To make this margarita, all you need is fresh lime juice, high-quality tequila, orange liqueur such as Triple Sec, and simple syrup.
You can drink your margarita with salt on the rim or leave it off.
Garnish your margarita with lime wedges.
Source: minimalistbaker.com
7. Red Sangria
Red sangria was a gift to the world from the people of Spain, and what a wonderful gift it was.
Historians believe that the earliest sangria probably originated when Romans planted vineyards on the Iberian Peninsula more than 2,000 years ago.
This sangria recipe is loaded with fruit like oranges and apples.
Use Spanish red wine to make this sangria, and be sure to add some high-quality brandy.
The sweetness comes from organic brown sugar and orange juice.
Source: culinaryhill.com
8. Tequila Sunrise
Did you know that the beloved Tequila Sunrise has a fun rock and roll history?
This yummy cocktail was served for the first time in 1970’s Sausalito when it was created by two bartenders named Billy Rice and Bobby Lozoff.
When Mick Jagger tried it once at a party, he loved it so much that the band made sure it was available everywhere they played in the U.S.
A Tequila Sunrise is best when it’s made with fresh lime juice, in addition to the traditional orange juice, tequila, and grenadine.
Source: acouplecooks.com
9. Black Russian
The Black Russian cocktail doesn’t come from Russia. Rather, the Black Russian was invented at a Brussels hotel bar for an American ambassador.
This delicious classic cocktail gets its name because it contains vodka, a favorite liquor in Russia.
To make a Black Russian, you need vodka and Kahlua. You can use another coffee liqueur if you want.
Serve your Black Russian over ice with a Maraschino cherry as a garnish.
Source: vinepair.com
10. Whiskey Sour
The Whiskey Sour peaked in popularity in the hundred years between 1860 and 1960, and this classic cocktail remains a favorite.
In 1862, a famous bartender named Jerry Thomas published a book titled “The Bartender’s Guide” and the book included a recipe for a Whiskey Sour.
In Thomas’s classic recipe, egg white is used to create a balanced silky texture.
You can make your Whiskey Sour without the egg white, but we include it here.
Source: acouplecooks.com
11. Piña Coladas
The beloved piña colada was created in the 1950s and it continues to be wildly popular today.
This recipe is the real way to make the perfect piña colada, without all the variations that some restaurants have applied.
You need rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, frozen pineapple, and fresh lime juice.
The world has come to love a frozen piña colada, but the original piña colada was served either straight up or over ice.
Garnish your piña colada with a Maraschino cherry or a pineapple wedge.
Source: simplywhisked.com
12. Brandy Old-Fashioned Sweet
The cocktail known as the Old Fashioned dates back to the early part of the 19th century, and this sweet version is a beloved cocktail in the state of Wisconsin.
This Old Fashioned recipe calls for cherry juice, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, seltzer water (or grapefruit soda), and good brandy.
The classic Old Fashioned is usually garnished with Maraschino cherries and an orange slice, but feel free to try things like green olives if you want.
Source: acouplecooks.com
13. French 75
The beloved French 75 cocktail was created by a bartender at Harry’s New York Bar, a popular bar in Paris, France.
The French 75 has been around since World War II and the original cocktail had such a powerful kick that it was named after a French 75 mm artillery gun.
This mixed drink has botanical flavors, and it’s bubbly and tangy.
Fresh lemon juice adds the wonderful zing, and champagne gives it a bubbly vibe.
Source: gimmesomeoven.com
14. Negroni
A classic Negroni is made with just four ingredients: gin, Campari, semi-sweet or sweet red vermouth, and orange peel.
Although it has simple ingredients, a Negroni is not simple in flavor.
A Negroni is not overwhelmingly sweet because the bitterness of the Campari and gin balance out the sweet vermouth.
This recipe is great for when you want a quick and easy cocktail recipe.
Source: inspiredtaste.net
15. Screwdriver
One of your first cocktails may have been the Screwdriver because it has just two easy-to-find ingredients: vodka and orange juice.
The best tip we can give you for making the perfect Screwdriver is to use good vodka and freshly squeezed orange juice. It really does make all the difference in the world.
Garnish your Screwdriver with orange slices and it’s perfect.
Source: acouplecooks.com
16. Sidecar
The story of the Sidecar cocktail goes like this. Apparently, in 1918, an American Army captain was serving in World War I and was stationed in Paris, France.
This soldier allegedly rode around town in a motorcycle sidecar and this cocktail was named after him.
Like many other classic cocktails, the Sidecar was invented at the famous Paris bar Harry’s New York Bar.
Use a classic cognac such as Cointreau or XO to make the classic Sidecar.
Source: liquor.com
17. Martini
When it comes to classic cocktails, the Martini is the king (or queen).
A classic Dry Martini is what most people have experienced, but this recipe is for a Dirty Martini.
Liquor experts believe the Dirty Martini originated in New York in 1901 when a bartender named John O’Connor was inspired by the classic Dry Martini’s olive garnish.
For a Dirty Martini, all you need to do is swirl the olive in the Martini and add a dash of olive juice.
Source: inspiredtaste.net
18. White Russian
The cocktail known as a White Russian is basically a Black Russian with cream added. A White Russian is one of the first layered cocktails.
Neither the Black Russian nor the White Russian has roots based in Russia, but they get their names because they call for vodka, the official liquor of Russia.
To make a White Russian, you need Kahlua or a similar coffee liqueur, such as Trader Vic’s Kona or Tia Maria.
Vodka is a must, and you can use heavy cream or half and half for the cream.
Source: cookieandkate.com
19. Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule was developed originally in the 1940s but it has become popular again in recent years.
Traditionally, the Moscow Mule is served in a copper mug.
The legend has it that the bartender who created this cocktail had a girlfriend who owned a copper factor, but it’s impossible to know if this story is true.
Another story says that the Moscow Mule was created as a marketing scheme to sell more copper mugs.
The Moscow Mule has only three ingredients: vodka, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer.
Source: foodiecrush.com
20. Mimosa
A Mimosa is a classic brunch drink, and you can make it with either good champagne or bubbly sparkling wine.
The Mimosa is a great cocktail to serve at bridal showers, Mother’s Day lunches, or any other time you need a reason to celebrate.
If you opt for champagne, choose a semi-dry or dry sparkling wine from Oregon, California, or Washington.
Prosecco or Spanish Cava is great, too.
Source: food52.com
21. Boulevardier
At first glance, the Boulevardier cocktail looks something like a Negroni that’s made with bourbon.
However, there are some subtle differences between a Negroni and a Boulevardier.
For one thing, the Boulevardier has more spirit, with a 2:1:1 ratio.
This allows the sweet bourbon taste to tame the Campari’s bitterness.
To make the Boulevardier even more mellow, use good vermouth like Carpano Antica.
Source: acouplecooks.com
22. Zombie Cocktail
The ingredient list for the Zombie cocktail is super long, but it’s totally worth the trouble.
This classic cocktail recipe originated in the 1930s and was one of the first fruity cocktails to achieve wide acclaim.
In 1934, the Zombie was created by Donn Beach, a man who owned a restaurant in Hollywood called Don the Beachcomber.
Apparently, Donn made the drink for a man with a hangover, but it was so strong that the businessman said that it made him a “zombie.”
Source: acouplecooks.com
23. Gin and Tonic
If you’re looking for a timeless classic cocktail with minimal ingredients, the gin and tonic may have been made for you.
To make a gin and tonic, it’s best to use high-quality gin such as Tanqueray gin or Bombay gin.
Also, a gin and tonic is best when it’s served in a stemmed glass because it keeps the cocktail ice cold.
Garnish your gin and tonic with a lime wedge.
Source: loveandlemons.com
24. Mojito
The mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail that makes the most of fresh mint leaves.
To really make your mojito stand out, you need to middle your mint by placing it into the bottom of a glass or cocktail shaker and using a cocktail muddler to press it. This makes the mint super aromatic and flavorful.
For making a mojito, you need fresh mint leaves, white rum (or coconut rum), fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Source: preppykitchen.com
25. Chocolate Martini
How does a boozy dessert served in a martini glass sound to you? We’re here for it!
For a chocolate martini, the chocolate liqueur is combined with vodka to create the perfect cocktail when you want something decadent.
We love that to make this cocktail perfect, you put some chocolate syrup on the rip of the glass.
This chocolate martini is made with Baileys Irish Cream, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, vodka, and chocolate syrup.
Source: acouplecooks.com
26. Mai Tai
Sometimes nothing will do but a delicious fruity tropical rum cocktail, and that’s when we reach for a Mai Tai.
The Mai Tai dates from the 1940s and the original version isn’t as sweet as some of the variations that we see in restaurants now.
A classic Mai Tai should be a complex cocktail that features orange liqueur (Triple Sec), rum, and fancy almond syrup.
When you float a tiny bit of dark rum on top, the Mai Tai becomes even more sophisticated.
Source: liquor.com
27. Vesper
Channel your inner James Bond with the famous Vesper Martini cocktail.
This cocktail was invented by the author who created the James Bond character, Ian Fleming.
The Vesper first appeared in “Casin Royale,” a book published in 1953.
James Bond is very specific when he orders his cocktail, so you should do it exactly as he says for authenticity.
Here is how Bons says to make the Vesper: three measures of Gordon’s, one measure of Vodka, and only half a measure of Kina Lillet.
Source: acouplecooks.com
28. Champagne Cocktail
If you want festive mixed drink ideas to celebrate, consider trying a classic Champagne Cocktail.
To make a Champagne Cocktail, you need champagne, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, brandy or cognac, and a Maraschino cherry for garnish (or a lemon twist).
The Champagne Cocktail gets even more sparkle from the sugar cube that’s dropped into the bottom of the glass right before you serve it, so don’t skip it!
Source: irelandstolemyheart.com
29. Irish Coffee
In recent years, people started making Irish Coffee with coffee and Bailey’s Irish Cream.
There’s nothing wrong with that and we love us some Bailey’s.
However, traditionally, Irish Coffee is made with Irish whiskey and this recipe is for classic Irish Coffee.
A travel journalist named Stanton Delaplane brought this cocktail to the U.S. via the San Francisco Chronicle in 1951.
Ingredients for the classic Irish Coffee are strong coffee, boiling water, brown sugar, Irish Whiskey such as Jameson’s, and lightly whipped cream.
Source: spicysouthernkitchen.com
30. Passion Fruit Hurricanes
When you think of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, you may think of Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, and the French Quarter.
However, if you picture New Orleans in a glass, you probably conjure up the famous Passion Fruit Hurricane cocktail.
For Passion Fruit Hurricanes, you need passion fruit juice, fresh lime juice, light rum, dark rum, sugar, and grenadine syrup.
Garnish your Hurricane with Maraschino cherries and orange slices.
Source: acouplecooks.com
31. Spiked Lemonade
On a hot summer afternoon or evening, there is nothing more refreshing than a tall frosty glass of lemonade.
Well, we like to spike ours with some spirits.
You can spike your lemonade with lots of different liquor, but the most popular liquors to use for spiked lemonade are bourbon, vodka, or gin.
We love this recipe that we found because it also calls for Limoncello liqueur, which adds some extra lemony goodness.
Source: realhousemoms.com
32. Pineapple Rum Punch
Pineapple Rum Punch is a popular Caribbean aperitif and is traditionally made with five elements: alcohol, lemon, sugar, water, and spices or tea.
For the simple Bacardi rum punch, you can use a simple “1, 2, 3, 4 formula”: 1 sour, 2 sweet, 3 strong, 4 weak.
This Pineapple Rum Punch recipe has six ingredients: orange juice, pineapple juice, dark rum, mango nectar, grenadine, and pineapple rum.
Source: thespruceeats.com
33. Sazerac
The beloved New Orleans cocktail known as the Sazerac was invented by an apothecary named Antoine Amedie Peychaud in 1838.
Peychaud mixed his own Bitters with cognac and created this cocktail, which became the signature drink at the New Orleans Sazerac Coffee House.
To make the classic Sazerac, you need Peychaud’s Bitters, rye whiskey, absinthe (or another anise liqueur), and a sugar cube.
Garnish your Sazerac with a lemon twist.
Source: chilipeppermadness.com
34. Michelada
A Michelada Cocktail is a zesty mix of fresh lime juice, Mexican lager, and hot sauce.
However, we found this amazing recipe that kicks things up a notch.
This Michelada Cocktail recipe calls for Clamato juice, fresh lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and hot sauce.
The beer to use is any light Mexican beer. For example, you can use Sol, Corona, Modelo, or Tecate.
Garnish the glass with a chili powder and salt rim, plus a lime wedge or lemon wedge.
Source: drizzleanddip.com
35. Paloma
Another popular Mexican cocktail, the Paloma is sophisticated and delightfully refreshing.
The Paloma cocktail is a great cocktail to serve with Mexican food as an alternative to a margarita.
This mixed drink is super easy to make. All you need is a good quality Blanco tequila, ruby grapefruit juice, agave syrup (or sugar syrup), fresh lime juice, and club soda.
The Paloma cocktail is stirred, not shaken.
Garnish the Paloma with lime wedges.
Source: foodiecrush.com
36. Bloody Mary
A Bloody Mary cocktail doesn’t have to be loaded up with tons of garnish, but it sure is fun to create a loaded Bloody Mary.
To create the basic Bloody Mary cocktail, you need tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, garlic salt, black pepper, Tabasco sauce, and vodka.
For fun, you can also use pickle-infused vodka.
Garnish your Bloody Mary with just a celery stick or lime wedge.
Or you can get super creative with a Bloody Mary bar that includes tons of ingredients, including bacon, olives, cooked shrimp, and even eggs or cheese.
Have you ever wondered which mixed drinks are the most famous cocktails of all time? Watch this fun video below to find out.
Our 35+ BEST Easy Mixed Drinks (+Mint Julep)
Ingredients
- 4-5 roughly torn fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
- ½ to 1 oz simple syrup
- Cold water splash
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 spring fresh mint garnish
Instructions
- Add simple syrup and mint leaves to bottom of serving glass.
- Muddle ingredients.
- Top with crushed ice.
- Add splash cold water.
- Add bourbon.
- Stir and garnish.
Notes
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.
Nutrition
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