I used to always order from the cocktails menu whenever I went out with friends. I loved (TBH I still do love) the cocktail menu. However, cocktails can get really expensive and are often small in volume. I didn’t want to look awkward, having no drink. Also, I like sipping on something so I’d get cocktail after cocktail. After a while, in order to maintain my budget and still go out with friends, I resorted to ordering the cheap beers and ciders. However, there’s something about a well made cocktail that beers and ciders couldn’t accomplish. Therefore, I started making my own simple cocktails to fill the void. I found that most recipes of cocktails don’t require many ingredients. Additionally, it is impressive when you can make a good cocktail for guests. Here are some recipes of cocktails that are 3 ingredients or less (ice doesn’t count).
Disclaimer: Many of these recipes of cocktails are modified so they’re only 3 ingredients or less. Their actual recipes may contain many more, but I’ve modified them to have the least amount of ingredients possible.
1. Manhattan
Fun Fact: No one’s really sure about the origins of this cocktail, but it originated around the late 1800s in Manhattan, New York. I think it’s cool that after so long, it’s still an extremely popular cocktail.
Ingredients:
2 oz whiskey (usually rye, but can use what’s available)
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes bitters (add a couple more if you like it more bitter)
Maraschino cherries or orange peel (optional)
Small handful of ice.
Instructions
Combine all whiskey, bitters, and vermouth in a glass with ice and stir until chilled
Strain the ice or keep it on the rocks
2. Negroni
Fun Fact: The main bitter taste of the Campari is a citrus fruit called the chinotto. Few people actual recipe for the Campari is a closely guarded secret.
Ingredients
1 oz gin
1 oz Campari
Small handful of ice
1 oz sweet vermouth
Orange peel (optional)
Instructions
Combine ingredients
Stir ingredients together chilled
Strain the ice or keep it on the rocks
Optional: Garnish with orange peel
3. Moscow mule
Fun Fact: The cocktail and signature mule that it is usually served in, was popularized by a marketing campaign to get more Americans to drink vodka.
Ingredients
1.5 oz vodka
0.5 oz lime juice
6 oz ginger beer (Can use ginger ale but not as tasty)
Handful of ice
Instructions
Combine ingredients.
Stir together with ice
4. Tequila sunrise
Fun Fact: It was largely popularized my Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones after trying it once at a party. As they toured, they’d share the cocktail at places they’d stop
Ingredients
4 oz orange juice
2 oz tequila
½ grenadine
Handful of ice
Instructions
Stir the orange juice and tequila together with ice.
Tip the glass over and pour the grenadine on the side of the glass so it runs down the glass to the bottom
5. Sidecar
Fun Fact: It’s named after the motorcycle sidecar, but no one really knows why
Ingredients
2 oz cognac (or bourbon)
1 oz cointreau ( but any cheaper triple sec should work)
0.75 lemon juice
Sugar rim (optional)
Handful of ice
Instructions
Optional: wet the rim of the glass and coat with sugar
Combine ingredients
Stir ingredients together chilled
Strain the ice or keep it on the rocks
6. Whiskey sour
Fun Fact: It was originally made as a way for sailors to prevent scurvy. Water was usually not clean, hence the liquor, and the sailors needed a way to get vitamin C.
Ingredients
2oz bourbon
2 oz lemon juice
1 oz simple syrup
Handful of ice
Instructions
Combine ingredients
Stir ingredients together chilled
Strain the ice or keep it on the rocks
7. White Russian
Fun Fact: This cocktail saw a huge rise in popularity after the movie The Big Lebowski
Ingredients
2 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
0.75 oz heavy cream (whole milk if more convenient)
Handful of ice
Instructions
Combine Ingredients
Stir together and serve with ice
8. Dark N Stormy
Fun Fact: The name “dark ‘n’ stormy” is actually trademarked which prohibits other US marketers to use the name
Ingredients
2 oz rum
4 oz ginger beer
Splash of lime juice and lime lime wedge (optional)
Handful of ice
Instructions
Combine Ingredients
Stir together and serve with ice
Optional: Splash of lime juice in the cocktail or garnish with lime wedge
9. Gimlet
Fun Fact: It was developed by the British Royal Navy as a way to prevent scurvy. Very similar origins to the whiskey sour. I find this is the simplest of all the recipes of cocktails on this list. Mostly because you really don’t need much. They’re mostly things you already have in your kitchen
Ingredients
4 oz gin or vodka
1 oz lime juice
0.5 simple syrup
Handful of ice
Instructions
Combine ingredients
Shake with ice until chilled and strain into glass
10. Paloma
Fun Fact: It is believed the drink originated in Mexico
Ingredients
3 oz grapefruit soda
1 oz tequila
0.5 oz lime juice (or more depending on your taste and the grapefruit soda you use. I find some grapefruit sodas are more sour than others.)
Handful of ice
Instructions
Combine Ingredients
Stir together and serve with ice
11. Martini
Fun Fact: June 19th is National Martini day
Ingredients
3 oz gin
0.5 dry vermouth
Lemon slice or olive
Handful of ice
Instructions
Combine Ingredients
Stir with ice until chilled and strain into a glass
Garnish with olive or lemon slice
12. Daiquiri
Fun Fact: One month after National Martini day is National Daiquiri day on July 19th. Who knew cocktails have official days?
Ingredients
2 oz rum
1 oz lime juice
0.75 oz simple syrup
Handful of ice
Instructions
Combine ingredients
Shake until chilled and strained into glass
If you like this list, check out our list of unconventional cocktails to make. It gets extremely creative with your cocktail making. And remember no more keeping empty liquor bottles as decor
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