3 Ingredient Mixed Drinks That Taste Amazing

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Twenty-five of the best-mixed drinks to make at home using only 2-3 simple ingredients! Also, we are sharing our basic formula for making any mixed drinks! Keep reading to learn more about mixed drinks.

easy mixed vodka soda.

Mixed drinks are great because they’re easy to make and they’re perfect for parties. You don’t have to be a mixologist to make a delicious mixed drink – all you need is a little imagination and some basic ingredients.

Also, check out our favorite cheap drinks, best brunch cocktail recipestequila cocktailscheap drinks and great cocktails, to make at home!

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

We selected these recipes because they are easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.

Offer Variety – Mixed drinks are great to make because they offer a lot of variety. You can mix different types of liquors, juices, and other ingredients to create unique and flavorful combinations.

Perfect for Parties – These drinks are easy for a host or hostess because they require little effort. All you need to do is mix a few ingredients together, and voila! You’ve got yourself a delicious cocktail that’s sure to please everyone at your party!

Versatile – These drinks are very versatile. You can make them as sweet or as fresh as you like, and they’re always a hit with guests.

Great for All Occasions – There’s a recipe here for everyone, and they’re great for all occasions.

What Are Mixed Drinks?

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

2-3 Simple Ingredients – If it requires more than 3 ingredients it’s not considered simple.

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

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

No Muddling – Keep it simple, with ingredients that are 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!

Recipes for Easy Mixed Drinks

Mimosas in Champagne flutes

Classic Mimosa

Make a simple mimosa at home with our easy recipe, tips, and tricks! This cocktail uses only 2 ingredients and is perfect for all occasions, especially brunch! 

Ingredients: Orange juice, Champagne

Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz

A simple, refreshing, three-ingredient Aperol spritz recipe that is perfect year-round! This classic cocktail couldn’t be easier to make and truly is delicious. Also, try our Lingonberry Aperol Spritz!

Ingredients: Aperol, Prosecco, Club Soda

vodka pineapple

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 cocktail

Tequila and Orange Juice

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

Ingredients: Orange Juice, Tequila

whiskey highball

Whiskey Highball

The easiest cocktail to make! Only two simple ingredients and you have yourself a refreshing whiskey highball!

Ingredients: Whiskey, Soda Water

Three ingredient bees knees cocktail

Bee’s Knees

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 absolutely delicious.

Ingredients: Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup

sea breeze drink

Sea Breeze Cocktail

This is an easy, mixed summer drink made with 3 simple ingredients. It has a vibrant pink color. If you love this drink, also try our sparkling grapefruit martini!

Ingredients: Grapefruit, Cranberry Juice, Vodka

Classic mixed Moscow Mule cocktail

Moscow Mule

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

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

Ingredients: Ginger beer, Vodka, Lime juice

Spritz recipe is an easy mixed drink

French Spritz

An easy cocktail to make that is perfect for a celebration!

Ingredients: Champagne, St. Germain, Sparkling Water

Lemon drop martini

Lemon Drop Martini

The bright, refreshing flavor of the lemon drop martini is a simple, yet easy drink to miss the mark on. We cover everything you need to know to nail this cocktail! 

Ingredients: Lemon juice, Vodka, Simple syrup

Classic, simple daiquiri

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. It’s simple and refreshing!

Ingredients: Lime juice, gold rum, simple syrup

Gin and tonic

Gin and Tonic

A gin and tonic are a classic cocktail recipe made with gin and tonic water poured over ice. It’s refreshing and easy to make. 

If you love gin and tonics as much as we do, check out these 5 amazing gin and tonic recipes!

Ingredients: Gin, Tonic water, Lime juice

Ranch water mixed drinks

Ranch Water

Although this mixed drink has been around for some time, it’s become very popular in the last few years. This Ranch water is a low-calorie cocktail created in West Texas. It’s easy to make and perfect for a hot summer day. We love this easy cocktail recipe.

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

whiskey ginger cocktail

Whiskey and Ginger Ale

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

Ingredients: Whiskey, Ginger Ale, Lime

vodka and orange juice drink

Vodka Orange Juice

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

Ingredients: Vodka, Orange Juice

lemonade and tequila mixed drinks

Spiked Lemonade Mixed Cocktail

One of the easiest and most refreshing mixed drinks are ones mixed with lemonade! You can 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 cocktail in a glass.

Negroni

A classic Negroni cocktail is a simple drink that can quickly be whipped up for an evening cocktail.

Ingredients: Gin, Campari, Sweet vermouth

easy mixed drink

Dirty Martini

Our favorite dirty martini recipe and the history of this classic drink! We’re sharing all of the details about making this cocktail shaken and stirred!

Ingredients: Vodka, Vermouth, Olive Brine

apple martini mixed cocktail.

Apple Martini

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

Ingredients: Apple Vodka, Apple Cider, Lemon Juice

best Jagermeister cocktail recipe

Jagermeister & Grapefruit

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

Ingredients: Jagermeister, Grapefruit, Simple Syrup

paloma cocktail recipe

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 gives it cocktail is a refreshing, slightly sweet drink that’s perfect for summer.

Ingredients: Tequila, Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice

rum and orange juice

Rum and Orange Juice

A two-ingredient cocktail with tropical flavors. This drink is perfect for brunch.

Ingredients: Rum, Orange Juice

Jagermeister Drink

Jagermeister and Root Beer

Another super easy Jagermeister cocktail made with root beer. This is a simple mixed drink you can make within minutes.

Ingredients: Jagermeister, Root Beer

Michelada recipe in a glass with chammy stick and flowers.

Easy Chelada Recipe

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

Ingredients: Beer, Lime Juice, Worcestershire sauce

More Mixed Drinks Recipes

Vodka Cranberry

Tequila Sunrise

Tom Collins

Vodka and Coke

Whiskey and Orange Juice

White Russian

Americano Cocktail Recipe

Create Your Own Mixed Drinks

There is a basic formula for creating your own mixed drinks. We 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 – Very easy to make
  • 2-ounces spirit – Gin, Vodka, Tequila

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

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

Mixed drinks with rosemary.

Popular Juices for Mixed Drinks

Now that we’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 a popular choice 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 some extra vitamins into your diet!

Grapefruit Juice – Common ingredient in mixed drinks, as it adds both 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 that’s perfect for making refreshing mixed drinks. It’s also a popular choice for garnishing.

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

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

Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is used to sweeten cocktails and it’s easy to make. It’s simply 1/2 cup water and 1/2 sugar melted in a saucepan. You can also buy it already made at the store. If you do make it, you can keep it for up to a month in the refrigerator to use in your cocktail recipes.

Cocktail Garnishes for Mixed Drinks

Before we get to the recipes, let’s talk about how to garnish a mixed drink. This is important because, as any experienced bartender will tell you, presentation is everything. The right garnish can take a mixed drink from ordinary to extraordinary.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to garnishes, but here are a few of our favorites:

Fresh Sliced Fruit – Add vibrance and fragrance with citrus slices, cherries, pineapple and apples.

Fresh Berries – They’re often small and brightly colored, which makes them perfect for adding a touch of decoration to your cocktail.

Edible Flowers – A type of garnish that can add a touch of elegance to your mixed drink. They’re also delicious! Some common edible flowers include roses, violets, and daisies.

Fresh Mint Leaves – Mint is a type of herb that’s often used for garnishing mixed drinks. It has a refreshing, cooling flavor that can help to balance out the sweetness of other ingredients. Plus, it looks pretty!

Black and Green Olives – An olive is a type of fruit that’s often used as a garnish for mixed drinks. They come in a variety of colors, but the most common are black and green. Olives can add a touch of sophistication to your cocktail and they’re also delicious!

Maraschino Cherry – A maraschino cherry is a type of fruit that’s often used as a garnish for mixed drinks. They’re bright red and have a sweet, syrupy flavor.

Lemon Zest or Lime Zest – Zest is the outermost layer of citrus fruit. It’s often used as a garnish because it adds flavor and aroma to a drink.

Dehydrated Oranges – Dehydrated oranges are a type of garnish that can add both flavor and decoration to your mixed drink. They’re also a great source of Vitamin C!

Stocking The Bar

When it comes to stocking the bar in your house to make mixed drinks, there are no hard and fast rules. However, having a few basic liquors on hand will ensure that you have the necessary ingredients for creating any type of drink.

Consider stocking up on vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, and tequila – these five spirits are essential for making various mixed drinks.

You can also keep some liqueurs and mixers on hand for added flavor. With the right selection,’ll have everything you need to delicious cocktails in no time!

When to Serve Mixed Drinks

Mixed drinks are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or having friends over for a game night. But if you’re looking for a specific occasion to serve mixed drinks, here are a few ideas:

  • Picnics
  • Girls’ night in
  • Anniversaries

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Most Popular Mixed Drinks?

Do you know what the most popular cocktails are in the United States?
According to Nielson, one of the best cocktails across the nation is the Margarita. Even though a Margarita usually costs a little extra, it’s still one of the most popular drinks on the market.

What Should I Know About Mixed Drinks?

Learning to mix your own homemade cocktails is a great idea for parties. When you make your own mixed drinks at home, it saves time and money.

What is a good mixed drink to have?

A gin and tonic is a great mixed drink to enjoy. It’s easy to make with gin, tonic water, and lime juice and you can alter it to your liking.

  1. Margarita
  2. Martini
  3. Old Fashioned
  4. Mimosa
  5. Moscow Mule

This doesn’t account for all companies in the US. Liquor.com ranked their top 10 picks for the most popular cocktails, and their choices are a little different.

  1. Bourbon Old Fashion
  2. Negroni
  3. Manhattan
  4. Long Island Iced Tea
  5. White Russian
  6. Margarita
  7. Bloody Mary
  8. Dirty Martini
  9. Painkiller
  10. Aperol Spritz

Although the most loved Margarita doesn’t make this top ten list, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy one from the comfort of your own home.

grapefruit and vodka mixed drink.

What Are the 6 Basic Cocktails?

When you think of the most basic cocktails, everyone’s answer is different. If this were a test there wouldn’t be one right answer.

In our opinion, the top 6 basic cocktails everyone should know how to make are:

  1. Old Fashioned
  2. Martini
  3. Daiquiri
  4. Sidecar
  5. Manhatten
  6. Gin and Tonic

Classic Mixed Drinks

Learning how to make a classic cocktail is a great idea when you don’t feel like making something fancy. However, there are a lot of classic cocktails you can make! We’ve pulled together the best classic cocktails to make at home.

Our top three classic mixed drinks are these:

  1. Margarita
  2. Gin and Tonic
  3. Dirty Martini

These three drinks are easy to make and inexpensive, especially if you make them at home. Practice your at-home bartender skills with these easy drinks and recipes.

What Should I Know About Mixed Drinks?

Learning to mix your own homemade cocktails is a great idea for parties. When you make your own mixed drinks at home, it saves time and money.

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

You can also FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK and PINTEREST to see more delicious recipes, cocktails, desserts, and parties!

mixed drink with herbs.

Basic Formula for Mixed Drinks

Create your own version of a mixed drink using our basic recipe. Mix and match and see what you like the most!
4.84 from 12 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1 Cocktail
Calories: 220kcal
Author: Eden

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.

Notes

You have the option to shake or stir your mixed drinks. We personally like them shaken with ice but a good stir will do too. 
Have fun with these mixed drinks. Try different combinations and see what you like the most.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 57IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
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mixed drinks title

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3 thoughts on “3 Ingredient Mixed Drinks That Taste Amazing”

  1. 5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I feel like I can make a million mixed drinks now! Thanks for the run down and formula. I love playing around with flavors.

    Reply

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