10 Easy Cocktails For Whenever
While some cocktails may look complex, many of your favorites are probably easier to make than you think. When you have limited supplies, alcohol, or time, these 10 easy cocktails are the best to have under your belt. Remember: cocktails don’t have to be complicated, they just have to taste good.
And if you want to make things even easier on yourself, we suggest getting these ingredients delivered (of course we do).
To the cocktails we go!
Gin & Tonic
Fill a glass with a handful of ice, and then add gin and tonic water. Stir. Keep stirring. Stir more. Just kidding, you’re good now. Add a nice-sized lime wedge for good measure.
- 2 oz. Tanqueray Gin
- 6 oz. tonic water (to taste)
- 1 lime wedge
White Russian
Grab your glass and combine coffee liqueur, vodka, and ice together. Stir. Now, for the fun part, slowly pour the cream on top. Some people like to stir the cream in, while others like to leave it swirling around – that part is up to you.
- 1.5 oz. Ketel One Vodka
- .75 oz coffee liqueur
- 3 oz. cream or milk
Vodka Martini
Chill a cocktail glass in the freezer. Grab your cocktail shaker and add ice, vodka, vermouth, and bitters. Shake it like you’ve never shaken before (you’ve never looked cooler.) Get your cocktail glass out of the freezer and strain the cocktail into your glass. Last but not least, add some olives.
- 2 oz. Smirnoff Vodka
- .5 oz dry vermouth (to taste)
- 2 dashes of bitters
- 3 olives
Old Fashioned
In a small glass, add your bitters, water, and a sugar cube. Stir. Add a big ice cube if you have it. If not, use a few ice cubes, and then add the bourbon. Stir again. Then add your orange peel as a garnish. Note: If you don’t have an orange peel, we’d recommend orange bitters so you can kill two birds with one stone.
- 2 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
- 3-4 drops of bitters (your choice – we recommend Angostura)
- 1 sugar cube
- A few drops of water
- Orange peel to top it off
Negroni
Grab a glass and pour in your Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth. Add ice and garnish with an orange peel. Simple as it should be.
- 1 oz. gin
- 1 oz. Campari
- 1 oz. sweet vermouth
- 1 orange peel
Moscow Mule
Who doesn’t love a mule? Squeeze half a lime into a glass, then add vodka, ginger beer, and ice. Add a couple of lime slices to garnish for a more citrus flavor. Thank us later.
- 2 oz. vodka
- 4-6 oz. ginger beer (to taste)
- ½ fresh lime
Whiskey Sour
In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, lemon juice, and syrup. Shake until your hands feel cold. Then, strain into a small glass and add ice, an orange peel, and maraschino cherry. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- .75 oz maple syrup or simple syrup
- 1 orange peel
- 1 (or 10) maraschino cherry
Paloma
Mmm. Add a handful of ice to a tall glass, then pour in your tequila and grapefruit soda. Stir her up. Add a lime on top if you’re feelin’ fancy.
- 2 oz Don Julio Blanco Tequila
- 6 oz grapefruit soda
- 1 lime wedge (optional)
Manhattan
Chill a cocktail glass in the freezer while you make this one. Grab your mixing glass if you have one, use whatever if you don’t. Add rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters, and a large ice cube. Stir and then strain into your chilled cocktail glass. And for the cherry on top, a handful of maraschino cherries.
- 2 oz. Bulleit Rye Whiskey
- .75 oz. sweet vermouth
- 1-2 dashes of bitters
- 1 (or 10) maraschino cherry
Tom Collins
Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to your drink glass. Stir. Add club soda and stir again. A lemon slice on top will pull it all together.
- 1.5 oz. gin
- 2 oz. club soda
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- .5 oz simple syrup
- 1 lemon slice
Whether you want compliments from your friends, or want to start up a new hobby, you’ll surprise yourself with any of these ten. Making your own cocktails is all about having fun and finding out what you like. Enjoy the journey!
