Easy Cocktails to Make at Home: Mixology Made Simple

A selection of cocktails to start your at-home cocktail journey!

Mixing cocktails at home can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, allowing you to experiment
with flavours, impress guests, and unwind with your favourite concoctions. While the world of
mixology may seem daunting to some, creating delicious cocktails doesn’t have to be complicated. In
this article, we’ll explore a selection of easy-to-make cocktails that anyone can master, from classic
favourites to modern twists. Whether you’re a seasoned home bartender or a novice looking to
elevate your drink game, these recipes will have you shaking and stirring with confidence.

Classic Cocktails:

Martini:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz dry vermouth
• lemon twist or olive for garnish

Instructions: In a mixing glass with ice, stir gin and vermouth. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist or olive.

Margarita:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• salt for rimming (optional)
• lime wedge for garnish.

Instructions: Moisten the rim of a glass with a lime wedge and dip in salt (optional). Shake tequila,
lime juice, and triple sec with ice. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Old Fashioned:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1 sugar cube or 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• orange twist and/or cherry for garnish

Instructions: Muddle sugar cube and bitters in a glass. Add whiskey and ice. Stir until well chilled.
Garnish with an orange twist and/or cherry.
Easy Twists on Classics:

Berry Mojito:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• 4-6 fresh berries (e.g., strawberries, raspberries)
• club soda

Instructions: Muddle mint leaves and berries in a glass. Add rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. Fill
with crushed ice and top with club soda. Stir gently. Garnish with a mint sprig and berries.

Paloma Spritz:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz agave syrup
• club soda
• grapefruit wedge for garnish

Instructions: Shake tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave syrup with ice. Strain into a glass
with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Cucumber Gin Fizz:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 3-4 slices cucumber
• club soda

Instructions: Muddle cucumber slices in a shaker. Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake with
ice. Strain into a glass with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

Mocktails:

Virgin Piña Colada:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 2 oz coconut cream
• 1 oz cream of coconut
• 1 cup crushed ice
• pineapple wedge and cherry for garnish

Instructions: Blend pineapple juice, coconut cream, cream of coconut, and crushed ice until smooth.
Pour into a glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry.

Sparkling Mint Lemonade:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz lemonade
• 2 oz sparkling water
• 3-4 fresh mint leaves
• lemon slice for garnish

Instructions: Muddle mint leaves in a glass. Add lemonade and sparkling water. Stir gently. Garnish
with a lemon slice.

Mixing cocktails at home is a delightful way to unleash your creativity and indulge in refreshing
libations. With a few essential ingredients and basic equipment, you can craft a wide range of
cocktails to suit any occasion. Whether you prefer timeless classics or inventive twists, these easy-to-
make recipes are sure to impress your guests and elevate your home bartending skills. So gather
your favourite spirits, fresh ingredients, and get ready to shake, stir, and sip your way to cocktail
perfection. Cheers!

About the Author:

Shannon: As someone who loves whisky, I began my journey of discovering spirits in 2020. My passion for whiskey has been a journey of exploration and appreciation. With new distilleries and styles emerging, it only gets more interesting. I enjoy unraveling the tales behind each whisky bottle, inviting readers to join me in a celebration of the art, history, and exploration cherished by whisky aficionados.