Mixed drinks are a fun way to enjoy alcohol. They combine different ingredients to create tasty flavors.
You can make many mixed drinks at home with just a few items.
Learning some basic mixed drink recipes will let you make great cocktails for yourself and friends.
This article will cover over 16 easy recipes to try. You’ll find classic drinks and new creations to suit different tastes.
With these recipes, you can become a home bartender in no time.
1. Mojito
The mojito is a refreshing Cuban cocktail perfect for warm days. You’ll need white rum, fresh lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and club soda.
Start by muddling mint leaves with sugar and lime juice in a glass. This releases the mint’s oils and flavors.
Add white rum and fill the glass with ice.
Top it off with club soda and stir gently.
Garnish your mojito with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge. The result is a crisp, minty drink with a hint of sweetness.
Try variations like strawberry or coconut mojitos for a fun twist. These add extra fruit flavors to the classic recipe.
2. Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan is a classic cocktail that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add 1.5 oz vodka, 0.5 oz triple sec, 0.5 oz cranberry juice, and 0.5 oz lime juice.
Shake the mixture well for about 30 seconds. This ensures your drink is nice and cold.
Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass. For extra flair, garnish with an orange peel.
The Cosmo should have a pretty pink color and a tart, refreshing taste. You can adjust the cranberry juice to make it sweeter or more sour.
3. Margarita
The margarita is a popular cocktail you can easily make at home. It combines tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur for a refreshing taste.
To make a classic margarita, mix 2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, and 1 oz triple sec.
Shake with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass.
For a frozen version, blend the ingredients with ice until slushy.
You can add fresh fruit like strawberries or mango for extra flavor.
When entertaining, try making a pitcher. Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need. This lets you enjoy time with guests instead of mixing drinks all night.
4. Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, bitters, and ice.
Start by placing a sugar cube in a glass.
Add a few dashes of bitters and muddle them together.
Pour in 2 ounces of whiskey and stir well.
Add a large ice cube or a few smaller ones to the glass.
Garnish with an orange peel and a cocktail cherry if you like. Stir gently before sipping.
Some people prefer their Old Fashioned with a splash of soda water. You can try this variation to see which style you enjoy more.
5. Piña Colada
The Piña Colada is a tropical favorite that brings a taste of the Caribbean to your glass. This creamy cocktail blends rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice for a sweet and refreshing drink.
To make a Piña Colada, mix 2 ounces of white rum, 2 ounces of coconut cream, and 2 ounces of pineapple juice in a blender with ice.
Blend until smooth and frosty.
Pour the mixture into a tall glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry.
For a fun twist, try using coconut rum or adding a splash of lime juice.
You can also make a non-alcoholic version by skipping the rum. This mocktail is perfect for hot summer days or when you want a tropical treat without the alcohol.
6. Whiskey Sour
The whiskey sour is a classic cocktail that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need bourbon whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup or maple syrup.
Mix 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce of lemon juice, and 3/4 ounce of syrup in a shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
For a twist, try adding egg white to create a Boston Sour. This gives the drink a silky texture and frothy top.
You can also experiment with different whiskeys. Rye whiskey adds a spicier flavor, while Irish whiskey gives a smoother taste.
Remember to use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice won’t give you the same bright, tangy taste.
7. Manhattan
The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Rye whiskey is traditional, but bourbon works too.
Start by chilling your glass.
Mix 2 parts whiskey with 1 part sweet vermouth in a mixing glass.
Add a dash or two of Angostura bitters.
Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for about 30 seconds.
Strain into your chilled glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry or a twist of lemon peel.
For a twist, try a Cherry Manhattan. Add a splash of cherry juice to the mix. Or make a Dry Manhattan by swapping sweet vermouth for dry vermouth.
8. Mai Tai
The Mai Tai is a classic tropical cocktail that brings a taste of paradise to your glass. To make one, you’ll need white rum, dark rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat syrup.
Fill a shaker with ice and add all ingredients.
Shake well for about 30 seconds to chill and mix thoroughly.
Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
Garnish your Mai Tai with a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint.
For an extra tropical touch, add a pineapple wedge or a cocktail umbrella.
This drink pairs wonderfully with seafood dishes or spicy Asian cuisine. Its sweet and tangy flavors complement grilled shrimp or Thai food nicely.
9. Daiquiri
The daiquiri is a classic cocktail that’s simple yet elegant. You’ll need white rum, fresh lime juice, and sugar syrup.
Mix 2 ounces of rum, 1 ounce of lime juice, and 3/4 ounce of sugar syrup in a shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into a chilled glass.
For a fruity twist, try adding fresh strawberries or bananas.
Blend these with the other ingredients and ice for a frozen version.
You can adjust the sweetness by changing the amount of syrup. Some prefer a tarter drink with less sugar.
The key to a great daiquiri is using high-quality ingredients. Fresh lime juice makes a big difference compared to bottled versions.
10. Gin and Tonic
The Gin and Tonic is a classic mixed drink that’s easy to make. You’ll need gin, tonic water, and a lime wedge.
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Pour in 2 ounces of gin.
Top it off with 4-5 ounces of tonic water.
Squeeze a lime wedge into the drink and drop it in. Give it a quick stir.
For the best taste, use a quality gin and cold tonic water.
You can try different gin brands to find your favorite.
Some people like to add more lime or use a cucumber slice instead. Feel free to adjust the gin-to-tonic ratio to suit your taste.
11. Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary is a classic brunch cocktail that packs a flavorful punch. You can easily make this savory drink at home with a few key ingredients.
Start with a base of vodka and tomato juice.
Add a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
Season with Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.
Garnish your Bloody Mary with celery, olives, or pickled veggies.
For an extra kick, rim the glass with celery salt. Adjust the spices to suit your preferences.
You can customize this versatile drink in many ways. Try adding horseradish for heat or beef bouillon for richness. Experiment with different garnishes like bacon or shrimp.
12. Martini
The martini is a classic cocktail that’s simple yet sophisticated. You can make it with gin or vodka, plus dry vermouth. Shake or stir the ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled glass.
For a traditional martini, use a 2:1 ratio of gin to vermouth.
Garnish with an olive or lemon twist.
Try a dirty martini by adding olive brine for a salty kick.
Experiment with flavored martinis like the French martini.
Mix vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur for a fruity twist.
Or try a chocolate martini with vodka, chocolate liqueur, and cream for a decadent treat.
Remember to chill your glass before serving for the best martini experience.
13. Sangria
Sangria is a refreshing Spanish drink that’s perfect for parties. You can make it with red or white wine. Add fresh fruit like oranges, apples, and berries.
Mix in some brandy or rum for an extra kick.
Pour in fruit juice or soda water to taste.
Let it chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
Sangria is great for summer gatherings.
You can easily adjust the recipe to suit your preferences. Try different fruits or wine types for variety.
Serve sangria in large pitchers with ice. It’s a crowd-pleasing drink that’s sure to impress your guests.
14. Mint Julep
The Mint Julep is a classic cocktail perfect for sipping on a hot day. You’ll need bourbon, fresh mint leaves, sugar, and crushed ice.
Start by muddling mint leaves with sugar in a glass.
Add crushed ice and pour in 2 ounces of bourbon.
Stir until the glass frosts.
Garnish with more mint leaves on top.
For the best experience, serve your Mint Julep in a silver julep cup. This keeps the drink extra cold.
You can try variations like adding peach syrup for a fruity twist.
The Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, so enjoy it while watching the races!
15. Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise is a vibrant cocktail that looks as good as it tastes. To make one, you’ll need tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup.
Start by filling a tall glass with ice.
Pour in 2 ounces of tequila and 4 ounces of orange juice.
Stir gently to combine.
Slowly pour 1/2 ounce of grenadine down the inside of the glass. It will sink to the bottom, creating a sunrise effect.
Don’t stir after adding the grenadine. This keeps the layers separate for that iconic look.
Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry if you like.
The Tequila Sunrise is perfect for summer parties or anytime you want a fruity, refreshing drink. Its sweet and tangy flavor makes it a crowd-pleaser.
16. Sex on the Beach
Sex on the Beach is a fruity cocktail perfect for summer sipping. It’s easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.
You’ll need vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice.
Mix them together in a tall glass filled with ice.
The drink has a sweet, tropical taste from the fruit juices and peach flavor. Its bright orange-pink color resembles a sunset at the beach.
For the best flavor, use fresh juice if possible.
You can adjust the amounts to make it stronger or sweeter to your liking.
Garnish with an orange slice or maraschino cherry for a fun finishing touch. Serve in a hurricane or Collins glass to show off the pretty colors.
Understanding Mixed Drinks
Mixed drinks combine different ingredients to create flavorful cocktails. You need to know the key components and popular mixers to make tasty drinks at home.
Components of a Mixed Drink
A mixed drink typically has a base spirit, mixers, and garnishes. The base spirit is usually vodka, rum, gin, tequila, or whiskey. You’ll add 1-2 ounces of the spirit to your glass.
Mixers dilute and flavor the drink. Common mixers are juices, sodas, and syrups.
Garnishes add visual appeal and extra flavor. Popular garnishes include:
- Citrus wedges or twists
- Cherries
- Olives
- Fresh herbs
Ice is also important. It chills the drink and provides dilution as it melts. Use large cubes for slower melting.
Types of Mixers
Mixers come in many varieties to suit different tastes. Here are some popular options:
- Fruit juices: Orange, cranberry, pineapple
- Carbonated drinks: Tonic water, club soda, ginger ale
- Dairy: Milk, cream
- Syrups: Simple syrup, grenadine
- Bitters: Aromatic or fruit-flavored
You can also use fresh ingredients like muddled fruit or herbs.
Experiment with different mixers to find your favorite flavor combinations. Start with classic recipes, then try your own creations.
Essential Bartending Techniques
Mastering key techniques will help you make great drinks. Proper methods ensure your cocktails taste and look their best.
Shaking vs. Stirring
Shaking is best for drinks with fruit juices, cream, or egg whites. It mixes ingredients well and creates a frothy texture. Use a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
Stirring works for drinks made only with spirits. It keeps the drink clear and silky. Use a mixing glass and long bar spoon. Stir gently for 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute properly.
For both methods, strain the drink into a glass. Double strain shaken drinks to remove ice chips.
Glassware Selection
Choosing the right glass enhances the drink’s presentation and taste.
Martini glasses are for “up” cocktails without ice. Their wide rim lets aromas shine.
Highball glasses work for tall drinks with lots of mixer.
Old Fashioned glasses are for spirit-forward cocktails served over ice.
Copper mugs keep Moscow Mules extra cold. Champagne flutes preserve bubbles in sparkling drinks.
Match glass size to drink volume. Don’t overfill or underfill. Leave room for garnishes.
Chill glasses before use for best results.