It can be so easy to host a party (or come home after a long day) and just open some wine or a beer. Or maybe you want some liquor but take the easy route with a vodka soda or Jack and Coke. But what if you could up your cocktail game with minimal extra effort? And in doing so feel and seem a whole lot fancier. That’s right, there are plenty of simple 3-ingredient cocktails that won’t take you any time to make. But they will take your drinks to the next level. Many of these can be made with the bar supplies you already have at home, though a couple may require a trip to the liquor store. But you probably needed to restock anyway.
One of the drinks on my list, is actually what I think will end up being my drink of summer 2023- the Aperol Spritz. You’ll also find recipes for some classics, as well as some drinks you’ve probably ever ordered from a bar. No need to wait for date night or girls’ night out to enjoy a drink. No matter what kind of liquor you prefer one of these simple cocktails is sure to be your new go-to!
Manhattan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whiskey
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Simply mix the three ingredients, stir, and pour into a glass. If you’d like to be a little more fancy add a brandied cherry or lemon twist.
Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Prosecco
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 1 ounce club soda
Add the prosecco, Aperol, and club soda to wine glass with ice and stir. Serve with a garnish of orange if desired.
Gimlet
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
Add the three ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well, then strain into a chilled glass. If desired garnish with a lime.
Dry Martini
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
- 1 dash orange bitters
Add the ingredients to a mixing glass, stir with ice then strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon.
Negroni
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
Add the ingredients to a mixing glass, mix with ice until chilled and pour into a serving glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
Amaretto Sour
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces amaretto
- 2 ounces simple syrup
- 1 ounce lemon juice
Combine the ingredients, shake with ice, and strain into a drinking glass. Garnish with an orange or cherries.
Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 3 ounces ginger beer, chilled
Fill a copper mug with ice, then pour in vodka and lime juice. Top with ginger beer.
Paloma
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- Grapefruit soda, chilled, to top
Add tequila and lime juice to a glass, top with grapefruit soda, and stir gently. Garnish with a salted rim and a lime wedge if desired.
Dark N Stormy
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Gosling’s rum
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- Ginger beer, to top
Combine rum and lime juice in a tall glass with ice, then top with ginger beer and garnish with lime.
