9 Simple Cocktails to Make at Home
A night at home doesn’t have to mean forgoing your favorite cocktail or breaking the bank on bar essentials, either. There are plenty of simple cocktails you can make at home. So if you find yourself cooped up, you can still enjoy a happy hour with friends using these simple cocktail recipes.
Here are 9 classic cocktails you can easily make at home with a few simple ingredients. If you’re just starting to dip your toe into the world of cocktail making, be sure you get your hands on these home-bar essentials as well!
Caesar
Ingredients: Vodka, Clamato Juice, Worcestershire Sauce, Hot Sauce, Celery Salt
Backstory: It’s a Canadian classic, created by Walter Chell as an homage to his favorite pasta dish, spaghetti vongole. He wanted to create a cocktail that would capture the dishes hearty clam and tomato flavors and, apparently, it took him months to perfect the recipe.
RECIPE
- ice
- 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 3 oz Clamato juice
- 1 – 3 dashes hot sauce
- 1 oz vodka
- celery salt
- salt & pepper
- Lime wedge
- celery, pickles, olives, bacon or a slider (optional garnishes)
In a rimmed glass filled with ice, add the Worcestershire sauce, followed by Clamato juice, hot sauce, vodka, and then season with salt and pepper. Squeeze in one wedge of lime and stir. Garnish with a celery stalk, olive skewer or bacon slice. We’ve even seen garnish’s that consist of lamb sliders, lobster claws and miniature bowls of stew!
Moscow Mule
Ingredients: Vodka, ginger beer, lime
Backstory: The mule was (by most accounts) born in Los Angelas in the early 1940s and made popular by a Smirnoff vodka representative during a time when vodka wasn’t all that popular in the states. Its trademark is being served up in a copper mug that keeps the cocktail icy cold and oh-so refreshing.
RECIPE
- 2 oz Vodka
- 3 to 4 oz Ginger beer
- 2 Lime wedges
Add the vodka and ginger beer to a copper Moscow Mule mug or highball glass filled with ice and stir briefly. Squeeze the lime wedges into the drink before adding them to the glass. Stir & serve!
Mojito
Ingredients: Rum, mint, club soda, simple syrup, lime
Backstory: What use to be a moonshine & mint cocktail was quickly turned into a rum drink when pirates invaded Cuba to create what we know as a Mojito! Arrrrg. Actually, the original cocktail was used to ward off illness!
RECIPE
Muddle mint leaves and 1 lime wedge in a mixing glass to release the mint oil. Add 2 more lime wedges and sugar, and muddle again. Do not strain. Fill the glass with ice, add the rum and fill with carbonated water. Stir and garnish with remaining lime.
Dry Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, dry vermouth, gin, lemon
Backstory: Its origins are murky but the most popular story of the Negroni goes like this. Count Camillo Negroni asked a Café bartender to improve his Americano (made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda) by using gin instead of soda water. We like his style!
RECIPE:
- 1 oz Gin
- 1 oz dry Vermouth
- 1 oz Campari bitters
- Lemon to garnish
Dark ‘n Stormy
Ingredients: Dark rum, ginger beer, lime
Backstory: The only drink (that I know of) that’s actually trademarked by Gosling’s rum. The story is that navy officers started mixing the rum with the ginger beer they were brewing on the ship to combat seasickness. It works for me!
RECIPE:
- 1 part Gosling’s Black Seal rum (or any dark rum)
- 2 parts ginger beer (we love fever tree)
Fill a collins glass with ice, add, rum, then top with ginger beer. Squeeze in, then garnish with a lime wedge.
Dirty Martini
Ingredients: Gin or vodka, dry vermouth, bitters, olives (and juice)
Backstory: Well it was made super popular by James Bond but this classic has been around a lot longer than that! In the 1860s, San Francisco had something called the Martinez that had become a popular local cocktail. The Martinez had gin and vermouth, as well as bitters and Maraschino. The classic Martini emerged once the cherry and bitters were stripped away. A Martini today, is a very personal drink with variations to suit every taste! We love ’em dirty.
RECIPE:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz dry vermouth
- 2 olives
- 1 bar spoon olive juice
Add gin (or vodka) and vermouth to an ice-filled mixing glass or metal shaker. Stir, don’t shake, for about 10 seconds. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass and garnish with olives and juice.
Screw Driver
Ingredients: Orange juice, vodka, ice
Backstory: Like many of our favorite cocktails there are varying stories about it’s origin but I’ll tell you my personal favorite. In the mid 20th century, American oil workers dosed their OJ with vodka but didn’t have a spoon to stir with so they used, you guessed it, a screwdriver. The name stuck.
RECIPE:
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 4-6 oz orange juice
- ice cubes
Add ingredients to glass and stir. Simple and classic!
Margarita
Ingredients: lime juice, tequila, simple syrup, kosher salt
Backstory: The origins of the Marg are murky as well, but the best we can guess (by the tales) is that it originated in Tijuana. It’s name is supposed to be a salute to unrequited love. They say a Tijuana nightclub owner crafted the drink to impress a performer named Margarita Cansino—who would eventually become famous under her stage name Rita Hayworth. These days, the drink can often be found as a sugary (read: gross) slushy drink but when made simply at home it’s a beautifully elegant (and delicious) cocktail.
RECIPE:
- 1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 2 oz Tequila
- 1 oz simple syrup
Rim a glass with kosher salt. Add ingredients to a shaker and shake with ice for 30 seconds. Strain over fresh ice and serve.
Old Fashioned
Ingredients: Whiskey or Bourbon, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, orange peel
Backstory: There’s a lot of debate (of course) but as far as we can tell the “Old Fashioned” cocktail as we know it was created in 1880 in Chicago although a bartender of a gentlemen’s club in Kentucky (in 1881) claims it was his creation. We call bullshit on that because it was printed in Chicago a year earlier. It gets its name from the fact the original cocktails were simply made of spirits, bitters, sugar and little else. When people started asking for a cocktail “the old fashioned way” that’s what they meant.
RECIPE
- 2 oz whiskey or bourbon
- 2 tsp simple syrup
- 1 tsp water
- 1 maraschino cherry
- orange peel
Add simple syrup, bitters, and water to a whiskey glass and stir to combine. Add a large ice cube and pour whiskey over the ice. Garnish with orange peel and cherry.
Would love to win!
Id love to see a variation of mocktails! I dont drink but i do adore mixing things lol
Good idea, we’ll try and work a few in!
Ditto to this – lots of reasons not to have alcohol but still fun to enjoy something a little different 🙂
I’m not usually a drinker, but I’ve enjoyed seeing you try out all these recipes! Has inspired me to dig into our bar and try some of the spirits that haven’t had any attention since we got them lol
Love that you guys do this everyday!! I tried the egg whites with whiskey and now I am a huge fan
These are great…only I am a non drinker.How about some fancy drinks for the non drinkers to whip up?
Excited to learn I can make a mojito at home!!! Gonna perfect it while I’m isolated so I can serve them during the party im having once we’re allowed to have gatherings again
I love having cocktail hour with you every day after watching the Kilted Chef. One of my favourites that I make is called Dirty Mother. Kailua, rum, & whole milk or cream. Delish.
These cocktails have been so much fun to make! My husband and I generally buy premade drinks (beer, wine, coolers, etc), but not so much anymore.
The Old Fashioned is our favorite, hands down!
Drinks look delicious while social distancing
I finally was able to open an email, and I have tried several if these cocktails now. I enjoy catching your show daily, and I’m wat hing the Kilted Chef now too. Thank your for making the days pass more cheerfully!
You’re so welcome Wayne – we love seeing you on the show each day!
Love the happy hours!
Think I’m going to have to try the Dry Negroni. Thanks for this list!
Great drinks 😎😎
Love reading your blogs and catching your videos. Great drink recipes. I am limited to lote ones these days. Coldstream and blue lobster no added sugar vodka sodas. Have also done water with mio. Open for suggestions. Thank you for chance to win a gift card.
I love that we have the recipes now!
these look so good I will have to try your receipes
Truth, my favorite was tonight’s cocktail on the show! You’ll have to check it out on our facebook page!
Agree!! Delicious 😋
These are great! Really loving happy hour, my fav is the blueberry smash!
We are certainly drinking more during this time. Hopefully the weather gets better so we can have a fire an d cocktails. I think I need to make one now!!🍸🍹🍷
Can’t believe I’ve been tried an Old Fashioned before. Think I’ll add that to my list!
*haven’t 😊
Ooooh do it – it’s my (Sara’s) absolute favorite cocktail!
Caesars and Mojitos are my favourites but I’m going to try some of the others. Another great garnish for Caesars is Extreme Beans.
I think I need to make some of these drinks to get me through this. They all look good
First time I made it to happy hour was tonight! Miss hanging with you!
Love anything fruity and made with vodka
These are almost all my favourites. The big one missing is gin and tonic! I’m a big fan and love trying different tonics and garnishes. My favourite these days is Fever Tree’s Mediterranean tonic with Gin Mare. So good!
Some of my favourite cocktails are on this list! Time to add the ingredients to my online grocery shopping order! Thanks!
I love happy hour. Add Malibu rum. Let’s make some beachy drinks and pretend it’s hot, sunny and we are NOT social distancing.
I’ll take one of each. And while you’re at it you may as well make me a couple refills. 😂
haha, we’ve certainly had a few refills during the last few weeks as well!
Mules are my fav! Sometimes I put a splash of cranberry in too.
Happy hour is the best hour!
You guys make me happy! ❤️
Awww thank you so much!
I love trying new cocktails. These all sound great! Stay safe! And cheers 🥂
Mojitos are hands down my favourite!
Gin and tonic! Easy and can be made fancy or plain and simple!
I really enjoy the daily happy hour. Thank you for providing the recipes.
Thank you for sharing these recipes! Can’t wait to try them all!
My fav was on this evening’s live video. Absolutely love whiskey sours and can’t wait to try today’s recipe.
Moscow mule is one of my favs!
LOVE you guys!! These recipes are great, I’ll definitely be trying them! 😍
Love all these cocktails and watching you both make them!! 😁
ive made a few of these!Nice to add some recipes to my go to list!
My go to in the summer is a margarita with crushed ice. Makes me think of the ocean and relaxation. I will definitely try this recipe.
Great ideas for home bartending! Really missing going out and getting a great cocktail, this is a wonderful way to recreate the experience a bit.
Me too! But for now, home cocktails will have to do
I don’t drink much, but I will have to try some of these.
Definitely need to have happy hour with these cocktail recipes 🍸
Have been enjoying this little 4pm distraction!
We’re so glad!
These are great!!!! Something to look forward to after a busy day at work that I can enjoy from the comfort of my home!!!
I’ve been making the Caesars almost nightly since I watched Brett making one. I want to try all of them
great drink recipes tried quite a few
Dark & Stormy? Heck yes! Love the recipes!
I keep thinking I should have a cocktail night, but then I never get around to it. I am such a lightweight now, but I do enjoy a good drink now and then, especially a well-made Caesar or frozen Margarita! Pickled asparagus spears make great garnishes for Ceasars, too!
Love these cocktail and simply laid out.
I’d love to see another with just different types of martinis too!
Wow lots of fabulous drinks/recipes all in one place to find.Definitely saving/bookmarking this blog lol Thanks for the chance to enter as well 🤞☺️
Amazing, enjoy!
Mmmm these look tasty. Now to decide which one to try first
You both entertain me every day while mixing up these delicious looking drinks! How about a pina colada?
You know how I feel about alcoholic beverages! Your marg is my fav!
Your drinks are delicious I plan on trying a few of them over the summer. This is very kind of you guys to do in a time of crisis thank you for the opportunity. #dashboardliving
You’re so welcome!
I’ll have to send this article to my brother..he loves a good cocktail
Wonderful!
You left out Whiskey Sours 😄
haha, I’m saving that one for another post 😉
Thanks for sharing these recipes! Yum!
So many of my favourites!! Thanks for sharing these recipes!
You’re so welcome! Enjoy!
Makes me wish this is Friday!!
I love this idea! Great for this isolation time and thinking of new things to do for fun with my hunny! I’ve always been looking for a blog with these recipes and now I’ve found one with all my favs!!
Perfect! We’ve got more coming down the pipe… dessert cocktails and fizz cocktails! Woot!
I don’t make cocktails often but these all sound so good. Makes me want to stock the bar and try some. Thanks.
Want to know about the ‘black and tan’ you mentioned today.
Love making margaritas in the blender with shaved ice
Love watching your virtual happy hour everyday!! You guys are so awesome!!! 😄
This is the BEST blog to read during quarantine! Brb while I make a mojito 🤤 🍸
I love the drink recipes thanks
I first had a Dark and Stormy at a wedding in California. I am hooked now!! They all look so good!
We are having Manhattan’s on the weekend.
love the happy hours!
It’s my 40th birthday on Friday and since I’ll be celebrating at home I might just make everyone of these! 😆🥳🥴
Happy Birthday! You totally should 😉
Loved your blind taste taste of the screwdriver. You were so much nicer than I would have been after the palate cleanser…lol
May have to whip a couple of these up on the weekend! Thank you 😊
Take pictures and tag us! Can’t wait to see which ones you tackle!
Looks yummy.
Sound yummy!! 🍸🍹
I have enjoyed each one, however, the Caesar and the Mule are two of my all time favourite drinks.
Hey you guys! One positive of all this craziness is it’s given me time to actually follow you guys and join some of your live shows when they’re actually live! Of course I know/saw a lot of what you did before but it’s super nice to have some time to read your blog posts and invest a little deeper with all the wonderful things you guys put out (many of which are shared interests of ours, as you know!) Specifically I’m loving tuning into your daily live Happy Hour! Super fun! I’ve been watching everyday while I eat my lunch. And I’m super happy I signed up for your emails and got the Cocktail Recipe list for them all… so happy in fact that Pat and I are at the store right now stocking up on some essential items so we can try them all out! Another one of my favs is a Tequilla Sunrise! Thanks for the great recipes and daily entertainment!
Yay! Amazing! Another silver lining of us all being home right now! xoxo
I have been joining you daily. They sound delicious, but I can’t have citrus. Any non-citrus ones coming up? Ironworks raspberry liquor & vodka drink?
Hmmmm, you’re right – we haven’t done a ton of non-citrus drinks but it’s a great idea! We’ll add them to the list!
Thank you for sharing these drink recipes, can’t wait to try some.
You two have too much fun!🍸🍹🥃🍺🍷
Hey, but it’s educational and entertaining too!☺️
Mmm mojitos! I’ll have to make one and sit in my bathing suit in the bathtub for my next vacation 😂
haha, OMG please send a picture if you do!
LOVE that you guys included the backstory for each drink! It’s a nice touch that I have yet to see on a blog post about drinks (and I’ve read quite a few lol!). Great job- as always☀️
Amazing! Thanks for sharing – I went back and forth on the backstory bit so I’m glad you liked it!
My favourite is the Pina Colada.
Yes! Pineapple is on the list for our next grocery run so we can tackle Pina Coladas next!
Great ideas for being stuck in on a quarantine!! Thanks guys!
Thanks for this. Definitely need some ideas now. Hope everyone is staying safe!
Most of these sound so yummy I’m not sure where to start! Thank you for some new ideas to try out!
Thanks for sharing all your yummy recipes! We have been having fun trying new drinks every night. I genuinely forgot how much I love mojitos!
Some great classics – Definitely will be revisiting these recipes!!
I haven’t tried many varieties of drinks, so thanks for posting these recipes.
All look great except the Caesar! Keep up the tunes on the videos! Support local!
Thanks for posting the recipes guys! These all look delicious, looking forward to trying the ones I have never made before 😀
Dirty Martini with a twist is my favorite!
I feel a home based happy hour coming!
Margaritas are my fave! The only other ingredient I add to mine is Triple Sec!
😊
Margaritas are my fav drink to make at home!! Sometimes I feel like they’re better than ones at a bar honestly 🙈
There are some great ideas here! Thank you!
Thank-you for all the new recipes! The Lemon Drop you two made, today, looks delicious!
Enjoying your Cocktail hour, daily.
I’m usually a simple vodka soda drinker, but I really want to try making my own simple syrups… Trying to decide which to try first!
Thanks, again, for sharing your recipes!!
Craving a good Cesar now!
These are awesome! Will need to get some supplies on my next grocery run! Lol
Love the Crazy for Coconut Liqueur from Coldstream Distillery! The best with pineapple juice 🙂 Super simple!
So Many yummy drink recipes and fun to watch you guys making them, you’re so much fun!
Awww thanks Peggy – we’ve been having tons of fun!
OMG – these look delish! We’ve been consuming our fair share of quarantine cocktail too…
We’ll be using your Margarita recipe on Tuesday for Taco Tuesday meets Cinco De Mayo!
I can’t wait to get stocked up on some supplies and dove into a few of these cocktails!!
I’d love to see some yummy sangria recipes too for this upcoming summer at home 🙈
Yes! We did sangria the other day on the show but haven’t’ published the recipe yet…it’s coming!
Oh, gosh! These all looks so great! I’ve been wanting to plant mint in my garden this year for mojito-making!
Haha, we’re on the same train – planning our herb balcony garden now
Mmm my favorite summery drink right now is Pimm’s and Fresca.
Love all the cocktail recipes so fun
They all look soooo yummy!
I love the happy hours! If I miss them I try to tune in later, I love the banter and the crazy all bets off substitutions!
I’ve been receiving wine deliveries from Nova Scotian wineries these last few weeks, but winning this would really help me to ‘Mix It Up’.
Love Dark n’ Stormy!!
Great giveaway and yummy recipes
Can’t wait to try some of these.
Those cocktails all look amazing ! It’s inspired me to make some margaritas this weekend !
Love watching you both everyday! Even tho I don’t drink too much, I love learning with you. You guys are so great, and it brings a bit of happiness and relaxation to my day watching your lives. Thank you!