Whether you’re new to mixing drinks or just want simple and delicious cocktails, this list has you covered. These 19 easy cocktails require minimal ingredients and effort but deliver maximum flavor. Perfect for any occasion, from casual nights to celebrations!
1. Classic Mojito
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp sugar
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Ice
- Muddle mint leaves and sugar in a glass.
- Add lime juice and rum.
- Fill the glass with ice and top with soda water.
- Stir gently and garnish with more mint.
History
The Mojito is a Cuban classic, believed to date back to the 16th century. It was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway and remains a popular choice for warm-weather sipping.
Tips
Use crushed ice for a more authentic texture, and avoid over-muddling the mint to prevent bitterness.
2. Gin and Tonic
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz gin
- 4 oz tonic water
- Lime wedge
- Ice
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in gin and top with tonic water.
- Gently stir and garnish with a lime wedge.
History
Originally consumed by British soldiers in India, the Gin and Tonic was created to make quinine (used to prevent malaria) more palatable.
Tips
Try different tonic waters for unique flavor profiles, and always use fresh lime for the best taste.
3. Whiskey Sour
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz whiskey
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Cherry or orange slice for garnish
- Shake whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a cherry or orange slice.
History
The Whiskey Sour has been around since the 19th century and is one of the most beloved classic cocktails.
Tips
For a smoother texture, add an egg white and shake well before serving.
4. Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz tequila
- 4 oz orange juice
- 1/2 oz grenadine
- Ice
- Orange slice and cherry for garnish
- Fill a glass with ice and pour in tequila and orange juice.
- Slowly drizzle grenadine down the side so it settles at the bottom.
- Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
History
This cocktail originated in the 1970s in California and quickly became a favorite for its vibrant look.
Tips
For a more layered effect, don’t stir after adding the grenadine.
5. Mule
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Fill a copper mug with ice.
- Add vodka and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
History
The Mule was invented in the 1940s as a way to promote vodka in the U.S.
Tips
Always serve in a copper mug to enhance the cold, crisp flavor.
6. Piña Colada
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz white rum
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz coconut cream
- Ice
- Pineapple wedge and cherry for garnish
- Blend all ingredients with ice until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry.
History
The Piña Colada originated in Puerto Rico and became its official national drink in 1978.
Tips
Use fresh pineapple juice for a more authentic taste.
7. Rum and Coke
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz rum
- 4 oz cola
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add rum and top with cola.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
History
Also known as a Cuba Libre, this simple yet delicious drink became popular in the early 1900s.
Tips
Use Mexican Coke for a richer flavor, as it contains real sugar.
8. Aperol Spritz
Ingredients and Instructions
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz soda water
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add prosecco, Aperol, and soda water.
- Gently stir and garnish with an orange slice.
History
Originating in Italy, the Aperol Spritz is a light and refreshing aperitif cocktail.
Tips
Adjust the ratios to suit your taste; more Aperol for a bolder flavor or more prosecco for a lighter sip.
9. Paloma
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz tequila
- 4 oz grapefruit soda (or fresh grapefruit juice + soda water)
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- Ice
- Salt for rim (optional)
- Grapefruit wedge for garnish
- Rim a glass with salt if desired.
- Fill with ice, add tequila and lime juice.
- Top with grapefruit soda and stir.
- Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
History
The Paloma is one of Mexico’s most popular cocktails, believed to have been created in the mid-20th century.
Tips
For a fresher version, use fresh grapefruit juice and soda water instead of grapefruit soda.
10. French 75
Ingredients and Instructions
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz Champagne
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
- Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
History
Named after a World War I artillery gun, the French 75 was first recorded in 1915 in Paris.
Tips
Use a dry Champagne to balance the drink’s sweetness.
11. Dark and Stormy
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz dark rum
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add rum and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
History
The Dark and Stormy originated in Bermuda and is the official drink of the island.
Tips
Use a high-quality dark rum like Gosling’s for an authentic taste.
12. Mimosa
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz orange juice
- 4 oz Champagne
- Orange slice for garnish
- Pour orange juice into a champagne flute.
- Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
History
The Mimosa was created in the 1920s at the Ritz Hotel in Paris.
Tips
For a less sweet version, use freshly squeezed orange juice.
13. Tom Collins
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Club soda
- Ice
- Lemon slice and cherry for garnish
- Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and cherry.
History
The Tom Collins dates back to the 1800s and is a classic gin-based cocktail.
Tips
Use a high-quality gin for a smoother flavor.
14. Sea Breeze
Ingredients and Instructions
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 3 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice.
- Stir well and garnish with a lime wedge.
History
The Sea Breeze became popular in the 1980s as a light, refreshing vodka cocktail.
Tips
Use unsweetened cranberry juice for a tarter taste.
15. Bellini
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz peach purée
- 4 oz Prosecco
- Pour peach purée into a champagne flute.
- Top with Prosecco and gently stir.
History
Created in Venice in the 1940s, the Bellini is a refreshing brunch cocktail.
Tips
For the best taste, use ripe, fresh peaches for the purée.
16. Screwdriver
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz orange juice
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add vodka and top with orange juice.
- Stir well and garnish with an orange slice.
History
Originally popular among American oil workers, the Screwdriver is a simple yet tasty cocktail.
Tips
Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor.
17. Black Night
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- Ice
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add vodka and coffee liqueur.
- Stir gently and serve.
History
The Black Night was created in the 1940s and paved the way for the White Night.
Tips
Try different coffee liqueurs for unique flavors.
18. Malibu Sunset
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz Malibu rum
- 4 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz grenadine
- Ice
- Cherry for garnish
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add Malibu and pineapple juice.
- Slowly pour grenadine to create a layered effect.
- Garnish with a cherry.
History
A tropical favorite, the Malibu Sunset is a visually stunning cocktail.
Tips
Use fresh pineapple juice for a richer flavor.
19. Spritz Veneziano
Ingredients and Instructions
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz soda water
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add prosecco, Aperol, and soda water.
- Stir gently and serve.
History
Originating in Venice, the Spritz is an Italian classic.
Tips
Use a dry prosecco for the best balance.
These 19 easy cocktails are perfect for any occasion! Whether you’re in the mood for something citrusy, bubbly, or tropical, there’s a simple recipe for you to enjoy.
