5 Easy Cocktails You Can Make at Home with Minimal Ingredients

You don't need a fancy bar cart or a degree in mixology to make a solid cocktail. In fact, some of the best drinks are the simplest — a few good ingredients, a shake or stir, and you're sipping like a pro. Whether you're hosting friends, kicking back after work, or just want to impress yourself, here are five easy cocktails you can whip up at home with minimal effort and ingredients.

#5 Whiskey Sour

3 ingredients: Whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup
Why it works: It hits that perfect balance between sweet and tart, with a smooth whiskey base.

How to make it:

• 2 oz (60 ml) whiskey
• ¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup (15 ml) (1:1 sugar to water)

Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Optional garnish: lemon slice or cherry.

Pro tip: Simple syrup = equal parts sugar and hot water, stirred until dissolved.

#4 Margarita

3 ingredients: Tequila, lime juice, triple sec
Why it works: Clean, citrusy, and refreshing. No blender or neon mix needed.

How to make it:

• 2 oz (60 ml) tequila
• 1 oz (30 ml) lime juice
• 1 oz (30 ml) triple sec (or Cointreau)

Shake with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice.

Pro tip: No triple sec? Sub with a splash of orange juice or ½ oz (15 ml) simple syrup.

#3 Mojito

4 ingredients: White rum, lime, mint, sugar
Why it works: Light and zesty — tastes like summer, even if it's not.

How to make it:

• Muddle 6-8 mint leaves with 1 tsp sugar and ½ lime (cut into wedges)
• Add 2 oz (60 ml) white rum
• Shake or stir with ice and strain into a glass with more ice

Pro tip: Add a splash of soda water if you want it lighter and more traditional.

#2 Gin And Tonic

2 ingredients: Gin, tonic water
Why it works: Crisp, botanical, and super easy.

How to make it:

• 2 oz (60 ml) gin
• 4 oz (120 ml) tonic water

Pour over ice in a highball glass. Stir gently. Optional garnish: lime wedge or cucumber slice.

Pro tip: Use a good-quality tonic - it's half the drink.

#1 Vodka Cranberry (Cape Codder)

2 ingredients: Vodka, cranberry juice
Why it works: Tart, easy, and nearly impossible to mess up.

How to make it:

• 2 oz (60 ml) vodka
• 4 oz (120 ml) cranberry juice

Serve over ice in a highball glass. Optional: Squeeze in a wedge of lime.

Pro tip: Go half cranberry, half soda water if you want a lighter version.

Final Sip

No shaker? Use a mason jar with a lid. No jigger? Use tablespoons (1 oz = 2 tbsp; ½ oz = 1 tbsp). These drinks keep it simple and flexible - just focus on good ingredients and solid ratios.

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