Starting with a twist on simplicity, 2 ingredient cocktails offer an uncomplicated path to refreshing drinks. They fuse minimalism with taste, blending two straightforward components into something special. From a tangy Gin and Tonic to a rich Rum and Coke, these drinks cover all taste preferences. They excel in both ease and flavor, making them perfect for quick fixes or relaxed sipping. My personal go-to is the classic Gin and Tonic for its crisp, clean taste. It’s hard to beat the convenience and versatility of these mixes. For those eager to explore simple yet satisfying drink options, this roundup is a must-see.
Cape Cod includes cranberry juice and vodka. It tastes tart and slightly sweet with strong cranberry flavors. This particular recipe calls for cranberry juice, vodka, and ice and goes into the history of this popular, often misnamed beverage. This simple cocktail is an excellent choice for brunches, lunches, and dinners alike.
A Greyhound requires grapefruit juice but allows you to choose between vodka and gin. With either liquor choice, it tastes citrusy, tangy, and slightly bitter from the grapefruit flavor. This recipe includes grapefruit juice, vodka (or gin), ice, and an optional lime for a delicate garnish.
Vodka sodas are arguably the most popular 2-ingredient drinks, perhaps because they're straightforward and low-calorie. This recipe calls for vodka and club soda, with a lime wedge as an optional garnish. You can add a few drops of lime or lemon juice or leave it as is for a more citrusy flavor.
A screwdriver is a well-loved option that's easy to prepare for group gatherings and Sunday brunches. It consists of orange juice and vodka, creating a tangy yet sweet and refreshing beverage. You can add a bit of grenadine for sweetness and color, but this recipe keeps things quick and simple.
Mimosa is another brunch-time favorite due to its bubbly, almost celebratory nature and its simple yet refreshing taste. All you have to do is mix equal parts orange juice and champagne and enjoy. You can also garnish each champagne flute (the best way to serve them) with an orange slice or cherry for extra flair.
A Black Russian is one of the more bitter two-ingredient cocktails, including coffee liqueur and vodka. This recipe suggests adding ice, which I highly recommend to make it more refreshing and light.
A gin and tonic is a classic, well-respected cocktail that has been around for ages. It's perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, and afternoons spent lounging in the sun. The key ingredients are gin and tonic water, making for a slightly sweet, bitter, and refreshing drink.
A martini is composed of gin and vermouth, making for a strong, dry cocktail. You can add ice and then garnish with an olive or lemon twist, both of which are traditional and add a nice, appealing finishing touch.
A Rusty Nail requires both scotch whisky and Drambuie, a sweetened whisky liqueur. This recipe suggests including twice the amount of scotch as Drambuie, which I recommend to avoid making it too sweet. You can also garnish with a lemon twist for some extra zest.
Rum and Coke is a popular choice, as it's sweet, bubbly, and easy to drink. The coke gives it a slightly bitter and sour taste, while the rum adds a lovely hint of sweetness and acidity. Rum and Cokes are fantastic for pre-games, as the caffeine in Coke helps pump people up while the rum, of course, is responsible for the buzzing effect.
Jameson and Ginger Ale is a whiskey ginger that calls specifically for Jameson, perhaps due to Jameson's sweeter taste as compared to other brands of whiskey. Ginger ale is used in order to add more sweetness, spice, and effervescence. This recipe also suggests adding lime for extra zest and ice for that special ice-cold refreshing taste.
Whiskey and Cokes taste similar to Rum and Cokes because of the syrupy quality of Coke. However, whiskey gives the drink a smokier taste while also toning down the sweetness of Coke. Whiskey Cokes are similarly ideal for pre-games, parties, and events, not only because they energize people but also because they're so simple to make. This recipe mentions that you can use any whiskey you like, but I highly recommend Jameson or Jack Daniels.
A Dark 'n Stormy is a refreshing cocktail that's perfect year-round. It's made with dark rum and ginger beer, and it's garnished with lime. The optional lime juice gives the drink a tart and acidic flavor, while the ginger beer adds hints of sweetness and spice. The dark rum gives the cocktail a smoky flavor, making it the perfect choice for winter evenings spent by the fireplace.PS: If you want to make this extra cocktail special, use Gosling's Black Seal Rum, which is the rum that's traditionally used in Dark' n Stormys.
Founder and CEO of MyBartender. Graduated from Penn State University. He always had a deep interest in the restaurant and bar industry. His restaurant experience began in 1997 at the age of 14 as a bus boy. By the time he turned 17 he was serving tables, and by 19 he was bartending/bar managing 6-7 nights a week.
In 2012, after a decade and a half of learning all facets of the industry, Paul opened his first restaurant/bar. In 2015, a second location followed, the latter being featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.