40 Easy Mixed Drinks To Make At Home

Mixed drinks are great because they’re easy to make and perfect for parties. You don’t have to be a mixologist to make a delicious mixed drink – you only need a little imagination and some essential ingredients. A quick mixed drink always hits the spot if I crave a cocktail during the week. 

I’m excited to share more than 25 straightforward mixed drink recipes that require just a handful of ingredients. These are my go-to recipes from Sugar and Charm and are perfect for any season or event.

Check out my favorite cheap drinks, best brunch cocktail recipes, tequila cocktails, summer cocktails, cheap drinks, and great cocktails to make at home!

What Are Mixed Drinks

Mixed drinks are beverages that have 2-3 ingredients mixed into them. I’ve pulled together a list of mixed drinks based on these qualifications: 

2-3 Simple Ingredients – It needs to be considered simple if it requires more than 3 ingredients. 

Essential Ingredients – Simple and easy ingredients you can buy at all grocery stores. 

Quick to Make – A mixed drink should only take a few minutes.

No Muddling – Keep it simple, with ingredients ready to be poured, stirred, or shaken. 

Pro tip – It’s easy to make any of these mixed drinks into a mocktail or non-alcoholic cocktail if you prefer! 

Classic Mimosa

Make a simple mimosa at home with our easy recipe, tips, and tricks! This Champagne cocktail uses only two ingredients and is perfect for all occasions, especially brunch! 

If you want to switch it up for the season, make a Poinsettia, which is made with cranberry juice, or try a Prosecco mimosa.

Ingredients: Orange juice, Champagne 

Vodka Pineapple

A simple mixed drink with two ingredients, this cocktail has tropical flavors and is perfect for sipping any time of the year. 

Ingredients: Pineapple Juice, Vodka 

Tequila and Orange Juice

Tequila and orange juice are a classic combination perfect for summertime sipping. And this cocktail couldn’t be easier to make. 

Mix tequila like Blanco, reposado, or añejo with freshly squeezed orange juice. Add a splash of triple sec or Cointreau for extra sweetness.

Ingredients: Orange Juice, Tequila

Whiskey Highball

The most leisurely cocktail to make! With only two simple ingredients, you have yourself a refreshing whiskey highball. 

The type of whisky you use will vary based on your preference and budget. Since this drink only has two ingredients, get a decent whiskey for the best flavor.

Ingredients: Whiskey, Soda Water

Bee’s Knees

I am sharing all the details for making a bee’s knees cocktail. It’s made with three simple ingredients and is perfect for all year! Easy to make, refreshing, and delicious.

Ingredients: Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup 

Sea Breeze Cocktail

This is an easy, mixed summer drink made with three simple ingredients. It is vibrant pink in color. If you love this drink, also try our sparkling grapefruit martini!

Sea breeze cocktail is one of the most refreshing drinks to enjoy during the hot summer months.

Ingredients: Grapefruit, Cranberry Juice, Vodka

Moscow Mule

Learn how to make a classic Moscow Mule with our three-ingredient recipe. I will share tips on creating different versions and ways to spruce it up! Check out all of our best Moscow mule recipes, too! I especially love our Kentucky Mule.

If you love vodka, check out the best mixers and our favorite vodka cocktails.

Ingredients: Ginger beer, Vodka, Lime juice 

French Spritz

It is an easy cocktail to make that is perfect for a celebration! This simple mixed drink has a hint of floral flavor from the Elderflower liqueur. It can be made with either Champagne or sparkling white wine. 

Ingredients: Champagne, St. Germain, Sparkling Water

Lemon Drop Martini

The lemon drop martini has been a popular drink since its creation in the 1970s. The bright, refreshing flavor of the lemon drop martini is a classic favorite for many cocktail enthusiasts. 

The combination of tart lemon juice, sweet, simple syrup, and smooth vodka creates a balanced and delicious drink that is perfect for any occasion.

You can also use gin if you prefer when making this cocktail.

Ingredients: Lemon juice, Vodka, Simple syrup 

Classic Daiquiri

It doesn’t get easier than a classic daiquiri recipe. No more sweet slushies; this recipe is made the way a daiquiri should be with simple ingredients. It is an easy and delicious cocktail to sip at home.

Ingredients: Lime juice, gold rum, simple syrup 

Gin and Tonic

A gin and tonic is a classic cocktail recipe with gin and tonic water poured over ice. I like to add a splash of fresh lime or lemon juice. 

Use good-quality gin and tonic water, as they work together to create a well-balanced drink. You can also make a vodka tonic! 

If you love gin and tonics as much as I do, check out these five fantastic recipes! 

Ingredients: Gin, Tonic water, Lime juice 

Ranch Water

Although this mixed drink has existed for some time, it’s become trendy recently. 

This Ranch water is a low-calorie cocktail created in West Texas. It’s easy to make and perfect for a hot summer day. I love this easy cocktail recipe.

Ingredients: Sparkling mineral water (like Topo Chico), Tequila, Lime juice 

Whiskey and Ginger Ale

This is another easy whiskey mixed drink for anyone who loves whiskey! This cocktail has three simple ingredients and can be made within minutes. 

If you are a fan of whiskey but want to avoid going through the hassle of making complicated cocktails, this is the perfect recipe.

Ingredients: Whiskey, Ginger Ale, Lime

Vodka Orange Juice

It doesn’t get any easier than a classic screwdriver! This drink is excellent for the morning and quick to make.

Screwdriver is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed by many for decades. It is a simple yet delicious drink made with orange juice and vodka. 

Combining these two ingredients creates a refreshing and tangy flavor, making it the perfect drink for any time of the day.

Ingredients: Vodka, Orange Juice

Spiked Lemonade Mixed Cocktail

One of the most effortless and refreshing mixed drinks is mixed with lemonade! Use store-bought light lemonade and then add in a spirit of your choice, like vodka or, in this recipe, tequila. The key is adding in fresh thyme and a good quality tequila!

Ingredients: Lemonade, Tequila, Thyme (optional) 

Negroni

A classic Negroni is a simple cocktail that can be quickly whipped up for an evening. Its perfect combination of sweet, bitter, and intense flavors makes it popular with many cocktail enthusiasts.

Ingredients: Gin, Campari, Sweet vermouth 

Dirty Martini

The dirty martini is a classic cocktail that has been around for decades. I like to make mine extra dirty with more olive brine, and I also want to garnish it with a few extra olives. It’s so yummy!

You can also try this drink with tequila. A dirty tequila martini is a favorite. 

Ingredients: Vodka, Vermouth, Olive Brine 

Apple Martini

If you’re looking for an easy mixed drink for fall, try our simple three-ingredient apple martini. It’s made with apple vodka and has a crisp, juicy apple flavor.

Ingredients: Apple Vodka, Apple Cider, Lemon Juice 

Jagermeister & Grapefruit

This is a simple cocktail made with grapefruit and Jagermeister. It has botanical, fruity flavors and is super easy to make.

This refreshing cocktail is perfect for a hot summer day and can be enjoyed at home. The grapefruit adds a tangy, citrusy taste to the drink. At the same time, the Jagermeister brings in its unique blend of herbs and spices.

Ingredients: Jagermeister, Grapefruit, Simple Syrup

Classic Paloma Cocktail

A classic Paloma cocktail is a refreshing and slightly sweet drink. It’s made with tequila, grapefruit juice, and soda water. 

The grapefruit juice makes this cocktail a refreshing, slightly sweet drink perfect for summer.

Ingredients: Tequila, Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice

Rum and Orange Juice

Rum and orange juice are classic combinations that create a refreshing tropical drink perfect for any occasion. This two-ingredient cocktail is easy to make and always a crowd favorite.

You only need your favorite freshly squeezed orange juice to make the perfect rum and orange juice. 

You can use any rum for this cocktail, but white or gold rum works best with the sweet and tangy flavors of orange juice.

Ingredients: Rum, Orange Juice

Jagermeister and Root Beer

Another great Jagermeister cocktail is the root beer Jagermeister float. This blended drink combines the flavors of root beer and Jagermeister for a sweet, refreshing, and slightly spicy taste.

Ingredients: Jagermeister, Root Beer

Easy Chelada Recipe

This is a fun twist on a classic Michelada recipe called chelada! This is an easily mixed beer cocktail made with Modelo beer, lime juice, and Worcestershire sauce!

Ingredients: Beer, Lime Juice, Worcestershire sauce

Margarita Mocktail

This margarita mocktail recipe is perfect for those who don’t drink alcohol or want a refreshing and tasty mocktail option. It’s easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Ingredients: Lemon and Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Club Soda

More Mixed Drinks Recipes

Here are a few more of my favorite mixed drinks:

• Vodka Cranberry 
• Gimlet
• Tequila Sunrise
• Tom Collins
• Vodka and Coke
• Whiskey and Orange Juice
• White Russian 
• Vodka Sodas
• Americano Cocktail Recipe

Formula For Three Ingredient Mixed Drinks

There is a basic formula for creating your mixed drinks. I even created a stunning, mix-and-match cocktail bar based on this concept. Here is the formula: 

• 1-ounce citrus – Orange, Lime, Grapefruit, Lemon 
• 1-ounce simple syrup – Straightforward to make 
• 2-ounce spirit – Gin, Vodka, Tequila 

There are two ways of making these drinks: shaken or stirred. I love a shaken cocktail, but a good stir with ice is good, too. 

It’s so simple: add the ingredients into a shaker and shake, then strain over ice OR add them into a glass filled with ice and stir for 20 seconds. 

Popular Juices for Mixed Drinks

Now that I’ve covered garnishes let’s move on to juices! You can use fresh juice or store-bought juice to make mixed drinks. Here are some of the most popular juices for mixed drinks:

Cranberry Juice – Cranberry juice is famous for mixed drinks because it’s tart and slightly sweet. It’s also a beautiful red color, which makes it perfect for festive cocktails. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak extra vitamins into your diet!

Grapefruit Juice – is a common ingredient in mixed drinks, adding sweetness and tartness. It’s also a popular choice for garnishing.

Fresh Lemon Juice – Commonly used to add tartness and acidity. 

Fresh Lime Juice – Lime juice is a tart and acidic fruit juice perfect for refreshing mixed drinks. It’s also a popular choice for garnishing.

Orange Juice – Orange juice is popular in mixed drinks because it’s sweet and refreshing. It’s also a great source of Vitamin C!

Pineapple Juice – Pineapple juice is famous for mixed drinks because it gives them a tropical flavor. It’s also relatively sweet, so it can help balance out other ingredients’ flavors.

These drinks are easy to make and inexpensive, especially if you make them at home. Learning to mix homemade cocktails is a great idea for parties. Making your mixed drinks saves time and money. 

Let me know if you make any of these drinks by leaving a comment and review below!

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