You don’t have to be a mixologist for these easy mixed drinks to make at home. More than 40 popular recipes that can be at home, with three ingredients or less!
A quick mixed drink always hits the spot if I crave a cocktail during the week. They’re great because they’re easy to make and perfect for parties. You only need a little imagination and some essential ingredients.
I’m excited to share more than 40 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!
Easy Mixed Drinks to Make at Home
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
Aperol Spritz
This simple, refreshing, three-ingredient Aperol spritz recipe is perfect year-round! This classic cocktail couldn’t be more straightforward and genuinely delicious. Also, try our Lingonberry Aperol Spritz!
Ingredients: Aperol, Prosecco, Club Soda
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
Hugo Spritz Recipe
This refreshing Hugo spritz with elderflower and Prosecco is low-alcohol, simple to make, and great to serve any time of the year. It has the perfect balance of refreshing flavors.
Ingredients: Elderflower, Prosecco and Mint
More Mixed Drinks Recipes
Here are a few more of my favorite mixed drinks:
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 easy mixed drinks to make at home are inexpensive but always good! Learning to mix homemade cocktails is a great idea for parties, and making your own 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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Basic Formula for Mixed Drinks
Ingredients
- 1 ounce citrus juice , orange, lime, lemon, grapefruit
- 1 ounce simple syrup , very easy to make using water and sugar
- 2 ounces spirit, vodka, gin, tequila, rum
Instructions
- Add the ingreidnets into a cocktail shaker and shake, then strain over ice.
- OR add the ingredients into a glass filled with ice and give it a good stir for 20 seconds.
- Garnish with an herb or a slice of citrus.
I just sent this to my husband who is in charge of making me drinks! I love this!
Thanks for this classic recipe. I printed it and have it taped onto the inside of our butler pantry cabinet door. I’m ready in a pinch for cocktail hour! Easy and SO easy to customize.
I feel like I can make a million mixed drinks now! Thanks for the run down and formula. I love playing around with flavors.