Simple Cocktail Recipes to Make at Home
Mixing a drink at home can be a soothing and fun experience! Whether you like vodka, bourbon, champagne, beer or more, we’ve gathered 10 of our favorite unique cocktails to mix at home that require minimal, simple ingredients.
My, oh, my. What times we live in, friends.
I don’t know about you, but most evenings, I want to decompress on the couch with my husband at my side, my dog at my feet and a chilled drink in hand.
Maybe you want to do this (or a variation) of this, too?
Today, I’m sharing several simple cocktail recipes that are perfect for making at home… and you might even have the ingredients on hand right now. Since, you know, we’re all keeping close to home these days. (Which is weird but also strangely invigorating.)
You might be like me and have a stocked pantry and a stocked bar because that’s how you live your life. And if so, I bet you can make a significant amount of the simple cocktails below, just depending on the fresh ingredients you have on hand.
If you don’t have a stocked pantry or bar, it might be more challenging to make several of the simple drinks at your house, but that doesn’t mean you cannot try. If you have a liquor and a mixer (and maybe a fruit, because I love to add fresh fruit to a drink), you can make a homemade mixed drink pretty easily!
Things to keep in mind when mixing cocktails at home:
- Some recipes will make a single drink while others will make more than one. Make note of it, especially if you’re making one for a significant other (or another family member or roommate) to enjoy, too.
- Substitutions are fine… up to a point. (For example, swapping blackberries for strawberries? Acceptable. If you plan to swap the liquor and the mixer, it might not work out so well.) I’ve tried to make note of things that would work below to make things easier on you.
- Different drinks require different tools. So you might need a blender for one while you’ll need a cocktail shaker for another. If you don’t have something, you can find workarounds, but some workarounds are more complicated than others.
- Have fun with it! Part of the fun of mixing drinks at home is discovering the things you like and the stuff you’re not a fan of.
Here are some simple cocktails you need to make at home ASAP…
BOOZE: Champagne
FRESH INGREDIENTS: Orange juice
SUBSTITUTIONS: No OJ? Use your favorite type of juice that you've got on hand.Throw OJ, champagne and ice together in the blender for an icy mimosa treat! A little different than the type of mimosa we've become accustomed to, this twist is fun and unique! Also, who doesn't love a frozen drink?
BOOZE: Vodka
FRESH INGREDIENTS: Lime juice (can use the jarred variation if you don't have fresh)Three ingredients for the win! A classic Moscow Mule is a simple and flavorful cocktail for sure. Serve it over ice in whatever glass you have on hand, no copper mug needed.
BOOZE: Beer
FRESH INGREDIENTS: N/A
SUBSTITUTIONS: No Bloody Mary mix? Use tomato juice and spice it up with black pepper and hot sauceIf you're a fan of a heated cocktail, this one is for you! A twist on the classic Bloody Mary, a Bloody Beer calls for the the same ingredients and is completely customizable. Not a heat fan? Skip the pepper and hot sauce. Got pickled veggies for garnish? COOL. Customize it to your tastebuds for a fantastic, bubbly drink.
BOOZE: Tequila
FRESH INGREDIENTS: Strawberries
SUBSTITUTIONS: Substitute another berry if you don't have strawberries on handBlitz those strawberries (fresh or thawed) in the food processor before throwing 'em with your favorite margarita mix and tequila. BOOM–you've got a Strawberry Margarita that's beautifully refreshing! The only question is: Will you salt the rim of your glass or not?
BOOZE: Tequila
FRESH INGREDIENTS: N/A
SUBSTITUTIONS: No Bloody Mary mix? Use tomato juice and spice it up with black pepper and hot sauceLike a Bloody Mary, but you have no vodka on hand? Try it with TEQUILA! We add a little heat to ours, but this recipe is totally customizable to your tastebuds, so have fun with it and make something that works for you.
BOOZE: Beer
FRESH INGREDIENTS: Strawberries (to make a strawberry syrup), lemon
SUBSTITUTIONS: Substitute another berry if you don't have strawberries on handThis refreshing beer cocktail calls for a strawberry syrup. Use fresh or frozen strawberries in that (or substitute another berry because YUM) to make this tasty cocktail.The syrup recipe makes enough for a few, so you'll be set for drinks for a few days!
BOOZE: Champagne
FRESH INGREDIENTS: Strawberries
SUBSTITUTIONS: Substitute another berry if you don't have strawberries on hand; any type of champagne or proseccoStrawberries are added to the simple syrup to make this champagne drink extra special! Use fresh or frozen berries to add a little color AND fruity sweetness to your champagne.Also, if you don't have rose champagne, use what you've got on hand. I promise it'll still be delicious.
BOOZE: Gin
FRESH INGREDIENTS: Lemon (Only 1/2 needed for a single drink)This classic gin cocktail, which is similar to a gin and tonic, calls for four simple ingredients. Mix 'em up in your glass for the ultimate refreshing gin drink that's reminiscent of lemonade.
BOOZE: Bourbon or whiskey
FRESH INGREDIENTS: Lemon juiceThis hearty wintertime cocktail is comfort in a glass. Calling for just four ingredients, it's easy to make at home, too. Leave out the lemon slices and cranberries for garnish if you don't have that on hand. The goodness in this cocktail is all in the mixture.
BOOZE: Vodka
FRESH INGREDIENTS: Lemon, celery (which is garnish, so it's not 100% necessary)
SUBSTITUTIONS: No Bloody Mary mix? Use tomato juice and spice it up with black pepper and hot sauceThis cocktail is a classic for a reason… and it's incredibly easy to make at home! You can spice this as mildly or as hot as you'd like, and it's fun to taste the variations.
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
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