There are a variety of easy cocktails to make at home, including several that only require one step. Some recipes even call for ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!
Try a Dirty Martini with Stuffed Olives for an elegant cocktail that’s sure to impress. Or, if you’re craving something fruity and bubbly, whip up a strawberry martini.
Coffee Cocktails
According to Instabooze, an alcohol delivery service in Toronto, a cocktail is a beverage that can help us start our day, keep it going, or prolong the night. Adding coffee or other caffeinated ingredients adds another level of flavor and function to a drink and opens up new combinations of alcohol and caffeine.
While these drinks might seem complicated, most of them are easy to make at home using simple bartending techniques that everyone can master. Many of them are also easy to customize for whatever ingredients you have on hand. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer refresher or something to sip during happy hour, you can find the perfect easy cocktail to suit your mood.
One of the best examples of a coffee cocktail is an espresso martini, which is simple and delicious. It requires three ingredients: espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup. The key to a smooth, frothy drink is using real espresso made with a machine that produces a good crema. You can substitute with iced coffee or even hot water for a less-frothy version of the drink.
The Black Russian is another classic cocktail you can easily make at home with vodka and Kahlua. You can experiment with the amounts of each to see how you like it, but more Kahlua will create a sweeter, creamier drink, while more vodka will give you a stronger punch.
If you want to try a slightly different twist on the martini, you can add one egg white to your shaker to create a light, frothy drink with a distinctive, elegant look. The egg white isn’t essential, but it helps thicken the drink and create the textured foam that makes this cocktail special.
Vodka and Lemonade
A lemonade vodka cocktail feels deceptively basic, but it can be tricky to get right. With too little lemonade, it can taste flat and watery. Too much lemonade and it becomes a sugar bomb that tastes nothing like lemons. The best recipes are balanced and smooth, with the right ratio of lemonade to vodka.
This recipe uses a 2:3 ratio of lemonade to vodka for an easy sip with a smooth finish. You can make it your own using flavored vodka or adding a splash of elderflower liqueur for floral flavor. You can also muddle some fresh strawberries in the bottom of your glass to add a punch of color and fruity flavor.
To make this refreshing lemonade vodka drink, start with a tall highball glass or Collins cup filled three-quarters of the way full of ice. Add one ounce of lemonade and an ounce and a half of vodka. Stir to combine, then top with club soda and serve. This is a great drink to make in batches if you’re hosting a party. Combine the lemonade, vodka, and a splash of lemon juice in a pitcher or jug and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
You can even make a mocktail by skipping the vodka and replacing it with lemon-lime soda. You can also try experimenting with other flavors and mixers to see what you come up with. The possibilities are endless!
Tonic
Many classic cocktails, like margaritas and Manhattans, don’t require a bartending school diploma to make at home. You can whip up a few with nothing more than a few ingredients and easy bartending techniques, such as stirring your drink over ice or shaking a martini in a Mason jar. Stock your cocktail tray with fresh ice cubes (and a spare ice catcher for the leftover cubes) and your favorite vodka or gin, and you’re ready to start mixing up some great drinks.
If you want to add a touch of elegance or simply a bit of flavor to your cocktails, try a garnish like edible flowers. These delicate herbs, such as roses, daisies, and violets, are a way to top off a drink without making a fancy sauce or syrup.
Aside from berries and edible flowers, other tasty garnishes to try include lemon wedges and orange twists. The citrus fruits can brighten up a cocktail, and the peels lend a pleasant aroma to your drinks as they’re being poured.
Tonic water is a versatile mixer used in both alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails. Its dry profile makes it a great pairing with gin, but it’s also a refreshing choice for a vodka and tonic or whiskey and tonic. You can even use it as a nonalcoholic beverage to help cleanse your palate after dinner with a simple lime and tonic.
Try a strawberry Hennessy cocktail with smooth cognac and bubbles, topped with homemade strawberry syrup for an upscale drink. Or make a bourbon sidecar to add some richness to your evening. A kir cocktail is another easy wine-based drink, and it can be made with any brandy, cognac, or whiskey you have on hand.
Wine
The good news is that you don’t have to be a professional mixologist to whip up quick cocktails at home. These easy cocktail recipes require little more than the ingredients and tools you already have in your bar cart. They’re perfect for entertaining guests for a dinner party, weekend brunch or even a Super Bowl watch party. You can make your favorite drinks into something extra special and impressive with a few simple tweaks.
If you’re looking for a refreshing and flavorful drink that’s easy to make, try this light and zesty tropical classic. A muddle and shake is all it takes to create this colorful and fruity cocktail.
Champagne and blackcurrant liqueur combine to create this sophisticated, summer-friendly drink. It’s the kind of drink that will make you feel like you’re on holiday – perfect for a special occasion or a fun drink to enjoy with friends.
In an Old-Fashioned whiskey glass, add sugar cubes and bitters to muddle. Stir in bourbon, then top with ice and serve with an express orange peel garnish.
If you’re trying to cut down on alcohol or simply avoid it completely, these low-alcohol cocktails are the way to go. They still pack a punch of flavor and can be enjoyed on their own or as the base for a mocktail version of your favorite alcoholic drink.
Tea
Tea has long been incorporated into cocktails, from basic tonics to the ever-popular naval punch. But it’s only in recent years, with the resurgence of orthodox whole-leaf tea and the resurgence of cocktail culture (with a focus on properly crafted drinks), that tea is getting its due as a thoughtfully employed cocktail ingredient.
Infusing a spirit with tea adds an herbaceous note that can complement a wide range of ingredients, and with a little trial and error, it’s not difficult to master. Tea can also act as a natural sweetener and can be used to tame a cocktail’s tannic edge. It’s a particularly good partner with gin, which has a tendency to overwhelm the astringency of strong teas but can be just as easily paired with vodka or whisky.
Hibiscus is a perfect tea to use for cocktail infusions because it reads less tannic than more savory options like green or black tea. It’s refreshing and pairs beautifully with citrus juice and lime in this hibiscus-based cocktail.
You can make this cocktail up to three days ahead of time, and you can store it in the refrigerator or even chill it in the freezer for easy serving.
Tea syrups can be used in a variety of cocktails and are as simple to make as regular syrup – just replace the water with equal parts brewed tea and strain before adding it to your drink. A few ice cubes made from different teas can be a nice way to vary the color of a tall glass, and building a drink over several large tea ice cubes can create an elegant visual presentation for any cocktail.