Cocktails are fun to drink and can be the perfect end to a long workweek. Different cocktails can make you feel like you’re at a swanky party, on a tropical vacation, or at a hip newl club—all from the comfort of your home. However, you don’t necessarily always want the hassle of making a more complicated cocktail with many ingredients or with a blender. Thankfully, we’ve found five easy cocktails you can make at home:
1. Moscow mule
The Moscow mule is a cocktail that is simple to make and tastes great. The recipe calls for vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. You can also add a little honey for some extra sweetness. Combine the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker, shake, and serve. This cocktail is traditionally served in a copper mug with a handle, but a regular glass is also fine.
2. Mojito
The mojito is a classic cocktail that was developed in Cuba. It contains light rum, mint, lime juice, and a sweetener, such as simple syrup or honey. Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake, and serve with some extra mint as a garnish. Some people like to additionally muddle fruit, such as strawberries or watermelon, in the bottom of their glasses to create a more flavorful drink.
3. Dry martini
A dry martini, made with gin and a splash of dry vermouth, is a simple and classic cocktail. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain the cocktail and garnish with a green olive or twist of lemon. This cocktail is a great choice for people who have a taste for martinis but want something a little lighter than their average martini. If you would like to make your martini wetter (yes, that is the actual terminology), just add dry vermouth until the drink suits your preferences.
4. Gin and tonic
This classic cocktail is fantastically refreshing for a summertime patio. It consists of gin, tonic water, and lime. The ingredients are combined in a cocktail shaker, shaken, and then strained into a highball glass with ice.
5. Manhattan
A Manhattan is a cocktail that consists of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, offering a perfect balance of sweet and sour. The ingredients are shaken in a cocktail shaker with ice, and then poured into a whiskey glass (alternatively known as an “old-fashioned glass”, a “low-ball glass”, or a “rocks glass”). A twist of orange peel can be added to the drink as garnish, but some prefer a maraschino cherry or lemon peel as alternatives.
Mixing cocktails at home is a great, economical way to relax with friends, but it’s also a great way to experiment with classic bar cocktails to learn what you like. The cocktails mentioned above are popular classic drinks, but you can also do some research for cocktail recipes online to get some great ideas for your next house party, backyard barbecue, or relaxing Friday night at home.
