Easy Mixed Drinks – This fabulous lineup features our favorite gin, vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey, and bourbon cocktails that are easy to make and perfect to serve for nearly any occasion!

Simple Mixed Drinks - close up in low ball glass

Why We Love Simple and Easy Mixed Drinks

Whether you are enjoying a quiet night by the fire or hosting a rowdy summer pool party, any occasion becomes a bit more festive when cocktails are involved!

But, thankfully, celebration-worthy drinks do not need complicated recipes.

In fact, with just a few key ingredients and a couple of glasses, you can mix up any number of delicious drinks in a snap! So, without further ado, here are our Favorite Cocktail Recipes that are easy to make with gin, vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey, or bourbon.

Easy Mixed Drinks - close up in low ball glass

Gin Mixed Drinks

Light and floral, cocktails made with sweet or dry gin are always a refreshingly good idea! These drinks are terrific for fancy occasions and to sip on during the spring and hot summer months.

Margarita glass and high ball glass, each filled with clear liquid and lemon rind.
  1. The Best Gin and Tonic – This classic cocktail recipe is always a hit! Make it with quality gin and a twist of lime for a refreshing drink.
  2. Watermelon Cocktail – A cocktail that is the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and herbal flavors, making it a vibrant and summery drink.
  3. White Negroni – A classic gin cocktail recipe that’s light and refreshing, with a bright lemon twist!
  4. Best French 75 – This classic gin and Champagne recipe has a hint of lemon for a drink that’s delightfully light, crisp, and sweet!
  5. Sloe Gin Fizz – Bright and bubbly with just the right touch of sweetness, this iconic cocktail is always a delight at parties and festive gatherings!

    Vodka Mixed Drinks

    If you are looking for a crowd-pleasing cocktail, these classic alcoholic beverages with smooth vodka are sure to be a hit!

    Sloe Gin Fizz - An easy gin cocktail recipe
    1. Salty Dog Cocktail – A retro drink recipe made with vodka and grapefruit juice, plus a splash of bubbly club soda. Enjoy this classic summery cocktail with your fave sweet and salty garnishes!
    2. Perfect Cosmopolitan – This classic cocktail combines premium vodka, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and cranberry juice, shaken to perfection and served in a martini glass with a twist of lemon for a refreshing, sophisticated sip.
    3. Spicy Bloody Mary – This cocktail has the perfect balance of heat, umami, and spice! It’s perfect for happy hour, Sunday brunch, or a weekend with the girls.
    4. Bloody Mary Mix – This bold and zesty Bloody Mary recipe combines Clamato, vodka, citrus, and a kick of spices for the perfect savory cocktail—serve it over ice with your favorite garnishes!
    5. Peppermint Martini (Peppermintini) – This festive peppermint martini combines creamy white chocolate liqueur, vanilla vodka, and a hint of peppermint, served in a candy cane-rimmed glass for the perfect holiday cocktail.
    6. Stormy Donkey Punch – This tropical party punch combines vodka, spiced rum, fresh lime and pineapple juice, a hint of nutmeg, and a bubbly kick of ginger beer for a bold and refreshing crowd-pleaser!
    7. Transfusion Drink – This famous recipe is made with vodka, concord grape juice, and ginger ale. Transfusion cocktails are deliciously fruity and crisp, and perfect for summer!
    8. Sunny D Vodka Seltzer – Turn your favorite childhood orange drink into a bubbly adults-only beverage with only 4 simple ingredients.
    9. Orange Crush Cocktail – This sweet and refreshing drink tastes just like a classic orange soda, but is made with San Pellegrino, fresh juice, and vodka for a more delicious and boozy adult beverage recipe!
    10. Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot – Easy to make with only 3-ingredients, this delicious drink tastes just like an upside-down pineapple cake and is perfect for celebrating any festive occasion.
    11. Espresso Martini – This classic yet versatile cocktail includes Kahlua and vodka for a sweet, strong, and sophisticated drink with a delightful caffeine kick.

      Rum Mixed Drinks

      Ready to party? You certainly will be once you mix up any of these flavorful and festive rum cocktails! (And don’t forget the adorable little mini umbrellas, of course!)

      Easy Vodka Cocktail Recipes - showing grape transfusion drink
      1. Drunken Monkey Cocktails – This cocktail is a playful and tropical beverage that is known for its sweet and fruity profile, creating a delightful punch reminiscent of carefree island life!
      2. Watermelon Rum Punch – Served out of a watermelon punch bowl and made with ripe watermelon, passion fruit rum, orange-pineapple juice, and lime juice! It’s the perfect party cocktail for summer!
      3. Killer Bee Cocktails – This tropical rum punch combines the bold flavors of passionfruit, citrus, and warm spices for a refreshing and slightly spicy twist—perfect for sipping on a sunny day!
      4. Frozen Coconut Mojito – A creamy tropical cocktail that combines the appeal of a pina colada with refreshing mojito flavors of mint.
      5. Mojito Pitcher Recipe – Get the party started with a batch of refreshing mint Mojitos! This easy mojito recipe can be made with rum or vodka, or virgin, and also includes steps for making homemade mint simple syrup.
      6. Bonita Apple (Apple Butter Rum Cocktails) – This Bonita Apple Butter Cocktail combines the rich warmth of apple butter-infused aged rum with bright citrus and tropical flavors, creating a perfectly smooth and refreshing drink—whether blended frozen or served on the rocks.
      7. Bahamian Blaster Party Punch – This large-batch Caribbean Cocktail is the perfect boozy beverage for summer! Nice, cool, refreshing, and delicious!
      8. Large-Batch Goombay Smash Caribbean Cocktails – This tropical rum punch is a bold and refreshing blend of pineapple juice, dark and coconut rum, fresh lime, and orange liqueur, perfect for a crowd and best served over ice with a pineapple garnish!
      9. POG Punch Hawaiian Cocktail – This POG Punch Hawaiian Cocktail combines the tropical flavors of pink guava, passion fruit, and orange juice with Malibu rum and dry champagne for a refreshing, festive drink perfect for any occasion!
      10. Holiday Champagne Punch – This festive punch combines champagne, ginger beer, cranberry juice, and ruby red grapefruit juice, with an optional splash of spiced rum, and is beautifully garnished with fresh cranberries, grapefruit slices, and cinnamon sticks for a perfect holiday drink.
      11. Mai Tai Cocktails – A bright and boozy Hawaiian drink fit for the gods. If you are planning a summer gathering, our Best Mai Tai is just the party punch to get the good times rolling.
      12. Hibiscus Hot Toddy – This Hibiscus Hot Toddy is a fruity and earthy twist on a classic hot toddy, using juicy hibiscus tea, honey, lime, and rum for a soothing yet striking cocktail, perfect for chilly nights!

        Tequila Mixed Drinks

        When you hear “tequila” is in a drink, you just know you are in for a big time! With a distinct (possibly notorious?) sharp earthy taste, this stout alcohol is perfect to combine with both light and bold fruity flavors.

        Original Mai Tai Recipe garnished with mint sprig and a lime slice.
        1. Smoke and Mirrors Classic Cocktail – This Smoke & Mirrors Cocktail blends smoky mezcal with smooth blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, and homemade grenadine, creating a vibrant and flavorful drink with a hint of pomegranate and citrus.
        2. Texas Ranch Water Cocktail – A cold glass of bright, bubbly Texas ranch water is perfect to beat the summer heat. Mix these delightful drinks with 5 simple ingredients and sip the hot day away!
        3. Best Margarita Recipe – These easy homemade margaritas are tangy, slightly sweet, and complex in flavor.
        4. Spicy Pineapple Habanero Margaritas – This fiery yet refreshing margarita combines tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, pineapple juice, and blistered habaneros, offering a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
        5. Bangkok Margarita – This Bangkok Margarita combines the refreshing flavors of apple juice, lime, and lemongrass syrup with a spicy kick from Thai chili, all balanced by the unique touch of Hawaiian black salt.
        6. Frozen Strawberry Margarita – This refreshing strawberry margarita recipe blends fresh strawberries, tequila, lime juice, and mint with a touch of strawberry jam for a sweet and tangy frozen drink.

          Whiskey and Bourbon Mixed Drinks

          These adult beverages with whiskey or bourbon are easy to make, but feel so sophisticated when served in a stylish glass – neat or on the rocks! Savor by the sip as you enjoy the balance of sharp and smooth flavors.

          Hand dropping ice cubes into a cocktail in a tall glass.
          1. Plum Ginger Whiskey Sour – This easy cocktail recipe combines the bold richness of overproof bourbon with the sweet and tart flavors of plum syrup, fresh lemon juice, and ginger, topped with a smooth egg white foam and garnished with candied ginger and fresh plum slices for a refreshing, aromatic drink.
          2. Perfect Manhattan – This bold herbaceous cocktail with bitter-sweet undertones, is the perfect boozy beverage for any occasion.
          3. The Champ – This refreshing cocktail combines the rich flavors of Buffalo Trace bourbon and apple brandy with a tangy kick from fresh lemon juice and a touch of sweetness from simple syrup, garnished with aromatic mint for a perfect finish.
          4. Best Vegas Bomb – This classic Vegas bomb cocktail recipe includes whiskey, peach schnapps, and Red Bull for a fun drink with some serious zing. It’s a winning concoction to enjoy a bit of Vegas anywhere you are!
          5. Sazerac Cocktail – This timeless cocktail recipe includes Absinthe, bitters, and rye whiskey for a deliciously sip-able drink. With a twist of lemon on the rim, it’s ready to enjoy neat or on the rocks!
          6. Rosemary Old Fashioned – This cocktail combines the rich depth of rye whiskey with the aromatic notes of rosemary syrup and a hint of orange bitters for a refreshing and flavorful sip.
          7. Mint Julep – This classic and refreshing cocktail is a Southern favorite, perfect for sipping on a warm afternoon or celebrating the Kentucky Derby in style! Made with smooth bourbon, fresh mint, sugar, and crushed ice, this simple yet elegant drink is both cooling and packed with flavor.
          8. Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey – This PB&J cocktail blends sweet jelly simple syrup, peanut butter whiskey, and a dash of bitters for a fun yet sophisticated sippable drink or shot, perfect for those craving a nostalgic twist on their spirits.
          9. Summer Bourbon Cocktails – This bourbon cocktail combines the warmth of whiskey with the bright citrus notes of limoncello and lemon juice, balanced by the sweetness of apricot jam and the earthy aroma of fresh sage for a smooth, flavorful sip.
          Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey in a glass garnished with grapes.

          Frequently Asked Questions

          What do I need for setting up a bar at home?

          Here is a list of basic equipment items and ingredients that will help you imbibe in style in a hurry!

          Bar Equipment:
          Cocktail shaker
          Muddler
          Cocktail strainer
          Double-sided jigger
          Bar spoon
          Highball glasses
          Lowball glasses
          Martini glasses
          Copper mugs

          Basic Bar Liquors:
          For mixed drinks, it’s best to buy mid-range alcohol. Look for brands with great flavor, but not too expensive.
          Vodka
          Gin
          White rum
          Spiced rum
          Tequila
          Rye whiskey
          Bourbon

          Additional Mixing Liquors:
          Orange liqueur
          Campari or Aperol
          Sweet Vermouth
          Flavored vodka or rum (like lemon vodka or coconut rum)

          Additional Bar Ingredients for Mixed Drinks:
          Simple syrup
          Grenadine
          Ginger beer
          Club soda
          Tonic water
          Fresh lime juice
          Lemon juice
          Orange juice
          Pineapple juice
          Grapefruit juice
          Cranberry Juice
          Tomato juice
          Angostura bitters
          Mint leaves
          Hot sauce
          Horseradish
          Worcestershire sauce
          Maraschino cherries
          Fresh mint
          Fresh citrus for a lemon wedge or lime wheel
          Salt and black pepper
          Sugar

          Can I make my own simple syrup?

          Yes! Homemade simple syrup is easy to make! Try out a few of my simple syrup recipes on the blog: Simple Syrup, Lavender Simple Syrup, and Brown Sugar Simple Syrup.

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