If you are looking to impress your friends next time they come over for drinks, this list of 17 easiest 2-3 ingredient cocktails anyone can make at home is perfect for you. Not only these cocktails are easy to make, but they are also aren’t expensive and, for the most part, can be made out of ingredients found in almost any home. So, instead of just serving beer, try spicing the evening a bit and make a list of cocktails you’ll serve. With a little practice, you’ll be making them just like a professional bartender.
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All six of basic drinks David A. Embury mentions in The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks (AKA the Cocktail Bible) are present. All 17 are listed as IBA (International Bartenders Association) official cocktails. Not that it makes them any more or less delicious, but there’s a comfort in knowing you aren’t just making things up as you go, as my friends like to accuse me when I tried to improve their drinking habits.
Drowning the sorrow of an existential crisis in alcohol has been a cliché of almost every office for a long time and Insider Monkey is no exception. Now, when people hear word cliché, they almost invariably have a negative connotation, but, to be honest, some clichés are good. Drinking in office while your bosses think you are hard at work is one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about hiding your moonshine in a file cabinet and taking a sip every time no one is looking. No, what I have in mind is waiting for your boss to leave and throwing a small office party. After years of this practice, the staff at Insider Monkey has developed a list of simple and easy cocktails you can easily make in your home (or office, we don’t judge).
The criterions for this list are simple. First, the cocktail has to be easy to make, regardless of how drunk you are. This means that all cocktails that require mixing with your right hand while standing on your head or some sort of equipment not usually found in a home are out. Second, the list of ingredients has to be simple, without any arcane stuff, like Absinthe and similar hard-to-obtain things, especially any of the most expensive alcohol brands in the world. Also, ingredients need to be flexible. These 17 easiest 2-3 ingredient cocktails anyone can make at home are listed in order of personal preference.
17. Americano
Ingredients: Campari, sweet vermouth, club soda
One of the oldest cocktails on our list, Americano was created in the 1860s, under the name of Milano-Torino. It was popularized by the American tourists in Italy at the beginning of the 20th century (and consequently named after them by the Italians), Americano is also one of the drinks James Bond orders in the first novel of the series by Ian Fleming, Casino Royal.
16. Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients: Champagne or sparkling wine, sugar cube, bitters
This is something for the wine lovers. The original recipe for Champagne Cocktail doesn’t include brandy, like the IBA version and is considered a classic version. We haven’t tried the brandy version, but people who did claim that the taste is exquisite. Since brandy is made from wine, it make sense that it should go well with Champagne, however, the resulting mix may be quite potent. If overdone, it will probably result in a mother of all hangovers. Try at your own risk.
15. Dark ‘n’ Stormy
Ingredients: Dark rum, ginger beer, lime
Listed under New Era Drinks in IBA cocktails collection, Dark ‘n’ stormy is licensed recipe by Gosling Brothers in the USA. It calls for Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, but any dark rum will do. As with many other cocktails, the precision is the key to preparation, exactly 2 ounces of rum and 3 ounces of ginger beer. Too much beer and it will drown the rum, too little and it won’t be as delicious. Half an ounce of lime juice can be added, but it is optional. Few drops of bitters can be added for those who like to experiment.
14. Daiquiri
Ingredients: White rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, sugar
Daiquiri is a very versatile cocktail that allows many variations that will suit a variety of tastes. We prefer white rum and lime juice, but any combination of rum and citrus juice will do. Daiquiri is responsible for acceptance of rum as a socially acceptable drink, as opposed to sailors’ drink, for which it was considered, due to British Navy and their grog. Hemingway and John F. Kennedy enjoy it, and Hemingway even had his version named after him. It includes half a grapefruit and six drops of maraschino liqueur. He didn’t use sugar in Hemingway Daiquiri.
13. Sidecar
Ingredients: Cognac or brandy, orange liqueur, lemon juice
Sidecar was probably created during the First World War. The cocktail was named after a motorcycle sidecar, a very popular transport at the time. Among other, Ritz Hotel in Paris claims the invention. Is also listed in The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks. But none of that is important. What is important is that it takes under a minute to prepare it and that it tastes wonderful. There are several recipes, with a different ratio of main ingredients. Getting one that you like may require some experimentation, which of often the most fun part of the evening.
12. Cuba Libre
Ingredients: dark rum, cola, lime juice
The origin of Cuba Libre, one of the most popular drinks in the world, is unclear. Some sources say it can be attributed to the Spanish-American War in late 19th century, although it is unknown if Coca-Cola was available in Cuba at that time. There are plenty of variations throughout the world, the most common one being Rum-Cola, without lime juice. Another popular variant include white rum and 7up or Sprite.
11. Manhattan
Ingredients: Bourbon or rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters
If a cocktail has a movie named after it, you know it is a popular one. Manhattan cocktail was invented in 1870, in honor of Lady Churchill, mother of Sir Winston Churchill. Sir Winston didn’t care much for cocktails, preferring few pints of Johnnie Walker Red Label a day, although he did make an exception for Martini. The cocktail is listed in The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks as one of the 6 basic drinks.
10. Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, sweet vermouth, gin
Invented by Count Camillo Negroni, who, having a bad day, decided that his favorite drink Americano just wasn’t cutting it. In a spur of the moment, the Count asked the bartender to use gin instead of club soda and Negroni cocktail was born. Just think of it as a fortified Americano. The mix of vermouth and gin provide an interesting taste, but not everybody will enjoy it.
9. Gimlet
Ingredients: Gin or vodka, lime juice
The original recipe says that a Gimlet is made with gin, lime juice, and club soda. These days vodka is often used as a substitute, although Raymond Chandler in his novel The Long Goodbye claims that a proper Gimlet is equal parts of gin and Rose’s lime juice. We say go with what you enjoy the most (or what will get you drunk the fastest).
8. White Russian
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, cream
Very popular during the 1950s and 60s, White Russian somehow lost its prominence until it was brought back by The Big Lebowski and The Dude. Jeff Bridges’ character refers to it as Caucasian and can rarely be seen in the movie without one in his hand. Just like with every other cocktail that calls for Kahlua, you can use just about any coffee liqueur. Thickening the cream by shaking it is optional move, but highly desirable.
7. Old Fashioned
Ingredients: sugar, bourbon, bitters
Old Fashioned in a pinch can be made with whiskey instead of bourbon if you happen to run out of it. If you want to impress your friends, you can invest few dollars into a muddler, but mortar and pestle work just fine as well. David A. Embury proposes using syrup instead of sugar and Angostura bitters. Muddling sugar in a glass can become risky operation if you already had few drinks, so syrup seems like a reasonable option.
6. Moscow Mule
Ingredients: vodka, ginger beer, lime juice
Also known as Vodka Buck, Moscow Mule is traditionally served in a copper mug. You probably don’t have one of those at home, but any mug will do just fine. Just be careful of the mule’s kick.
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5. Revolver
Ingredients: Kahlua, whiskey, bitters
Another Kahlua cocktail, with whiskey, added for a punch. Bitters make for an interesting combination of tastes. It is a modern cocktail, introduced in the early 2000s.
4. Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients: Tequila, orange juice, grenadine
If it got tequila in it, we love it. Bonus points if it is easily made. There are several variations, depending on the main ingredient. With rum, it is Caribbean Sunrise, with vodka it is Russian Sunrise etc.
3. Gin & tonic
Ingredients: London Dry gin, tonic water, lime wedge
High third place on our list for one of the most loved cocktails in the world. Gin & tonic is a staple of any fancy dinner party. Usually, as the party progresses, the ratio of gin to tonic increases. Once you reach 1:1 ration, you know it is time to go home.
2. Martini
Ingredients: Gin or vodka, dry vermouth, orange bitters
If you have watched any James Bond movie, then you know how to make a martini. Shaken, not stirred is how 007 prefers it, but we have discovered that after fifth or sixth glass it really doesn’t make any difference. As long as you can keep them coming, your guests won’t question your methods.
1. Margarita
Ingredients: Blanco tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, orange liqueur or triple sec
Number one on Insider Monkey’s list of easiest 2-3 ingredient cocktails anyone can make at home is a margarita. Many a late night deadlines have been breached due to this delicious cocktail. Although some would have you believe that vodka can be used instead of tequila, do not trust them. Stick with the original recipe.
