You don't need to be a bartender to perfect these easy mixed drinks! In fact, these popular mixed drinks can be made right at home without any fancy equipment or bar tools.
36 Easy Mixed Drinks Anyone Can Master
Updated on Nov. 25, 2024
1
/
36
Spiked Lemonade
We make homemade lemonade for this refreshing cocktail, but you could easily use the best lemonade options from the store instead.Main Ingredients: Lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, rum or vodka
Directions: In a large saucepan, combine sugar, water and lemon zest. Cook and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until chilled. Stir in rum or vodka and serve over ice.
2
/
36
Red Sangria
This sangria is perfect for relaxed get-togethers. It’s a great make-ahead recipe, as it tastes even better if you let the flavors steep overnight.Main Ingredients: Red wine, orange liqueur, brandy, sliced fruit
Directions: In a pitcher, stir together red wine, orange liqueur and brandy. If desired, add sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in sliced fruit and serve over ice.
3
/
36
French 75
The French 75 was created at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris during WWI. The original version of the drink had a powerful kick, like a French 75 mm artillery gun. The version here uses less gin.Main Ingredients: Gin, confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, Champagne
Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add gin, lemon juice and confectioners’ sugar or simple syrup. Shake, then strain into a glass and top with Champagne or sparkling wine.
4
/
36
Moscow Mule
Originally developed in the 1940s, the Moscow Mule has made a big comeback. It’s now one of the most popular mixed drinks. It could be its refreshing taste or it might be that pretty copper mug (or both!).Main Ingredients: Ginger beer, lime juice, vodka
Directions: Combine ginger beer, lime juice and vodka in a pitcher. Serve over ice. If desired, serve with lime slices.
5
/
36
Negroni
Bitter and sweet flavors coexist peacefully in the Negroni cocktail. It’s a great go-to drink for any occasion because it requires only three ingredients.Main Ingredients: Sweet vermouth, Campari, gin
Directions: Pour sweet vermouth, Campari and gin in a mixing glass with ice. Stir, then strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
6
/
36
Mimosa
A standard offering at brunches, Mimosas are as pretty as they are tasty. In this mimosa recipe, the Champagne won’t overpower the orange juice—especially if the sparkling wine is extra dry.Main Ingredients: Champagne, triple sec, orange juice
Directions: Pour Champagne into a champagne flute or wine glass. Pour triple sec and orange juice into the glass. Garnish with an orange slice or orange twist.
7
/
36
Chocolate Martini
Is it a beverage or a dessert? No matter how you classify it, we can all agree it’s downright tasty.Main Ingredients: Half-and-half cream, vodka, chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao
Directions: If desired, give your martini glass a chocolate rim and drizzle chocolate syrup in the glass. Then, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add half-and-half cream, vodka, chocolate liqueur and creme de cacao. Stir, then strain into a martini glass.
8
/
36
Bloody Mary
Horseradish makes this the best Bloody Mary recipe we’ve tasted. Without the horseradish, you’ll have a more traditional Bloody Mary, and without the alcohol, you’ll have a Virgin Mary. Serve with a stalk of celery, dill pickle spear or olives.Main Ingredients: Vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, prepared horseradish
Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, pepper, celery salt and hot pepper sauce. Shake, then strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with celery, pickles, olives or any other Bloody Mary garnish ideas.
9
/
36
Fresh Lime Margaritas
This basic margarita recipe is easy to modify to your tastes. If you’re ready to upgrade from the basic margarita, try our best margarita recipes.Main Ingredients: Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, lemon juice, superfine sugar
Directions: In a pitcher, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, lemon juice and superfine sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Serve over ice in glasses rimmed with kosher salt (if desired).
10
/
36
Brandy Old-Fashioned
The concept of an old-fashioned dates back to the early 1800s and includes whiskey, bitters, cherry juice, sugar and water. This version, which is extremely popular in Wisconsin, uses brandy in place of whiskey and lemon-lime soda instead of water for a milder cocktail.Main Ingredients: Brandy, orange juice, lemon-lime soda, maraschino cherry, bitters
Directions: In a rocks glass, muddle an orange slice, maraschino cherry, maraschino cherry juice and bitters. Add ice, brandy, water, orange juice and lemon-lime soda.
11
/
36
White Russian
This creamy coffee-flavored drink is a star at any occasion and perfect for any season. A White Russian is equally appropriate before or after dinner.Main Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, heavy whipping cream or milk
Directions: Add a few ice cubes to a rock glass and add vodka and Kahlua. Top with heavy whipping cream or milk.
12
/
36
Mojito
Traditional mojitos are made with rum, which is a pleasant and mildly sweet liquor.Main Ingredients: Light rum, club soda, lime wedges, sugar, mint sprigs
Directions: Muddle a lime wedge and sugar in a highball glass. Gently press or slap a few sprigs of mint and add them to the glass along with some ice. Add white rum and top with club soda. Garnish with a lime slice and additional mint, if desired.
13
/
36
Passion Fruit Hurricanes
This is our version of the famous Hurricane beverage that’s so popular in New Orleans.Main Ingredients: Passion fruit juice, lime juice, light rum, dark rum, grenadine syrup
Directions: In a pitcher, combine passion fruit juice, sugar, lime juice, light rum, dark rum and grenadine. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Serve over ice in hurricane or highball glasses.
14
/
36
Paloma
This summer-perfect cocktail is refreshing without being too sweet.Main Ingredients: Tequila, lime juice, grapefruit soda
Directions: In a highball glass filled with ice, combine salt, tequila and lime juice. Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with a lime wedge.
15
/
36
Americano Cocktail
The cocktail contains the bittersweet taste of Campari paired with sweet vermouth and club soda.Main Ingredients: Campari, sweet vermouth, soda water
Directions: Pour Campari and sweet vermouth into an ice-filled glass. Top with soda water and stir gently to combine. Garnish with orange peel.
16
/
36
Pina Colada
This pina colada delivers a velvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics.Main Ingredients: Frozen pineapple chunks, light rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice
Directions: In a blender, process ice, pineapple, rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice until smooth. Pour into a chilled hurricane or highball glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.
17
/
36
Martini
Martinis can be made with either vodka or gin. Our taste panel’s preference was for the gin, but try them both and decide for yourself. Be warned, this is a strong and serious drink.Main Ingredients: Gin or vodka, dry vermouth
Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add gin or vodka and dry vermouth; cover. Shake, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with olives.
18
/
36
Gin and Tonic
This iconic drink is super easy to make. The three-ingredient cocktail is bright, zesty and perfectly refreshing on a hot day.Main Ingredients: Gin, tonic water, lime juice
Directions: Pour gin, tonic water and lime juice over ice in a chilled glass. Stir well.
19
/
36
Irish Coffee
My maternal grandma was never a drinker beyond a glass of champagne at Christmas, but she couldn’t resist Bailey’s Irish Coffee.Main Ingredients: Irish whiskey, brewed coffee, heavy whipping cream
Directions: Add sugar and Irish whiskey to a mug and top with hot coffee. If desired, beat together heavy whipping cream and creme de menthe until a whipped cream forms. Spoon the whipped cream on top of the coffee.
20
/
36
Michelada
This kicked-up beer cocktail is a zesty mix of Mexican lager, lime juice and hot sauce. There are many variations, but this easy recipe is perfect for rookie mixologists.Main Ingredients: Beer, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, Maggi seasoning, hot sauce
Directions: Fill a large glass with ice. Add hot sauce, Maggi seasoning (or soy sauce), Worcestershire sauce, lime juice and Mexican-style beer, such as Corona, Modelo or Tecate. Garnish with lime wedges.
21
/
36
Mudslide
Creamy in texture and rich in taste, the mudslide is basically the equivalent of an adult milkshake.Main Ingredients: Vanilla ice cream, Irish cream liqueur, coffee liqueur, vodka
Directions: In a blender, process ice cream, ice, Irish cream liqueur, coffee liqueur and vodka until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
22
/
36
Whiskey Sour
Don’t let the name fool you: Even though this cocktail contains lip-puckering lemon, the simple syrup and bourbon add extra sweetness. If you want to give it a silky texture, add pasteurized egg whites.Main Ingredients: Bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup
Directions: Fill a shaker with ice and add bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake, then strain into a chilled rocks glass.
23
/
36
Sidecar
Welcome summer by treating yourself to this tart citrus delight.Main Ingredients: Brandy, triple sec, lemon juice
Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add brandy, triple sec and lemon juice. Shake, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
24
/
36
Champagne Cocktail
This amber drink is a champagne twist on the traditional old-fashioned.Main Ingredients: Sugar, bitters, brandy, chilled champagne
Directions: Place sugar in a champagne flute and sprinkle with bitters. Add brandy and top with chilled champagne or sparkling wine. If desired, top with rosemary and cranberries.
25
/
36
Dirty Martini
If the martini is classic, the dirty martini is a seasoned classic. And while asking for a “dirty” cocktail might not sound appealing, trust us: Adding olive brine to this classic cocktail recipe is a smart move.Main Ingredients: Vodka, dry vermouth, olive brine or juice, olives
Directions: Combine vodka, vermouth and olive brine in a mixing glass with ice. Stir, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with olives.
26
/
36
Sazerac
Take a trip to the Big Easy with this sophisticated Sazerac recipe, the official cocktail of New Orleans. It originally used cognac, but when the French liqueur became difficult to procure, rye whiskey took its place and has been the main ingredient ever since.Main Ingredients: Sugar, Peychaud’s bitters, rye whiskey, absinthe
Directions: Muddle a sugar cube and bitters in a mixing glass until the sugar is dissolved. Fill with ice and stir in rye whiskey. Swirl a rocks glass with absinthe, and pour out the excess. Strain the whiskey mixture into the prepared glass. Twist a lemon peel over the drink to release its oils, and add it to the glass.
27
/
36
Gimlet
For the light drinker, we suggest a Gimlet. The blend of slightly sweet and tart flavors is appealing but not overwhelming. You can also use vodka if gin isn’t your favorite alcohol.Main Ingredients: Gin, lime juice, simple syrup
Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add gin, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake, then strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with a lime slice.
28
/
36
Black Russian
No-fuss black Russians are smooth as silk.Main Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua
Directions: Place ice in a rocks glass and top with vodka and Kahlua.
29
/
36
Screwdriver
If you’re looking for a mixed drink that is easy on your budget, look no further than this screwdriver recipe. With just two simple ingredients—vodka and orange juice—you’ll have a classic drink that’s a real crowd-pleaser.Main Ingredients: Vodka, orange juice
Directions: Place ice in a rocks glass and add vodka and orange juice. Garnish with an orange slice.
30
/
36
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is also known as a Negroni with bourbon. This cocktail has a sweetness from the vermouth and a hint of smokiness from the bourbon.Main Ingredients: Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari
Directions: Stir vermouth, Campari and bourbon in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake, then strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
31
/
36
Vesper Martini
The iconic martini ordered by James Bond in Casino Royale is a bracingly crisp combination of gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc (a French aperitif). Serve this classic shaken, not stirred, of course!Main Ingredients: Vodka, gin, Lillet Blanc
Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka, gin and Lillet Blanc. Shake, then strain into a chilled glass. Rub lemon peel along the rim of the glass, and drop it in.
32
/
36
Rum Punch
Similar to planter’s punch, this sweet rum punch also includes orange juice. Add a cherry or pineapple garnish for a festive look.Main Ingredients: Light rum, dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, grenadine syrup
Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the rums, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice and grenadine. Shake, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice.
33
/
36
Mint Julep
It wouldn’t be Kentucky Derby Day without mint juleps! But, really, this cocktail is good anytime.Main Ingredients: Sugar, fresh mint, bourbon
Directions: Make mint simple syrup by cooking sugar, water and chopped mint in a large saucepan until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool, then strain the syrup and discard the mint. Pour the syrup into a metal julep cup or rocks glass filled with ice. Add bourbon and stir until chilled. Garnish with a mint sprig.
34
/
36
Tequila Sunrise
When you really want to relax and enjoy the evening, whip up a mild orange-flavored tequila sunrise.Main Ingredients: Tequila, orange juice, grenadine syrup
Directions: Place ice in a Collins or highball glass. Add tequila and orange juice to the glass, then slowly pour grenadine over a bar spoon into the center of the drink. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
35
/
36
Aperol Spritz
The classic Italian Aperol spritz combines three ingredients—Aperol, Prosecco and club soda—in perfect proportion.Main Ingredients: Aperol, Prosecco, club soda
Directions: Fill large wine or rocks glass with ice. Add Aperol, Prosecco and club soda. Stir to combine and garnish with an orange slice.
36
/
36
Mai Tai
This party favorite has been around for quite some time. It’s not overly fruity and features a good blend of sweet and sour.
Main Ingredients: Light rum, triple sec, lemon juice, lime juice, amaretto
Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add light rum, triple sec, lemon juice, lime juice and amaretto. Shake, then strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with pineapple, lime slice or edible flowers.
