so here’s the thing. making drinks at home sounds fancy… but it’s actually the opposite of fancy. It’s just you, some random bottles (half-empty, maybe dusty), a lime that’s been rolling around in your fridge drawer for way too long, and maybe a mason jar because who actually owns a cocktail shaker?
and yetit works. it more than works. it’s fun, it’s cheap, and honestly, it’s a little confidence boost. Like, “look at me, casually whipping up a cocktail like I live in some chic apartment with exposed brick.” Spoiler: I don’t. I have a cat who keeps trying to stick his paw in the ice bucket and a sink full of dishes. But the drink? The drink looks professional.
This list of 20 mixed drinks is like your starter pack for being That Friend who can mix something decent when people come over. Or just for yourself, because sipping a homemade margarita on the couch in your sweats is peak luxury.
Let’s dive in.
a few quick notes before we shake things up
Ice matters more than you think. Old freezer-burnt ice? Makes your cocktail taste sad. Fresh ice cubes? Suddenly you’re a mixologist.
Don’t have a shaker? Use a mason jar, protein shaker, even a thermos. (I once used a to-go coffee mug with the lid on. It… mostly worked.)
A wooden spoon can muddle just fine. No need for fancy bartending sticks.
And remember: measurements are suggestions, not laws. Taste and adjust. This is your bar.
1. Cape Codder (aka Vodka Cranberry)
Vodka. Cranberry juice. That’s it. And if you’re feeling dramatic, shake it up and call it a Crantini. Add pineapple juice and suddenly you’ve made a Bay Breeze. Grapefruit? Sea Breeze. Orange? Madras. You get the idea. It’s like the “choose your own adventure” of cocktails.
2. Black Russian
This one is dangerously easy. Vodka + coffee liqueur. Stir, sip, feel like you’re in a late-night movie scene. Add cream, and bamit’s a White Russian (Big Lebowski vibes). Swap in Irish cream, you’ve got a Mudslide. Club soda makes it a Smith and Wesson. Cola? Colorado Bulldog. Honestly, it’s like playing dress-up with vodka.
3. Highball
A six-pack of ginger ale, some whiskey, and you’re in business. It’s cheap, tall, refreshing. Add club soda and call it a Presbyterian (which sounds like it should be more serious than it is). Highballs are like that one friend who goes with any groupthey just work.
4. Rum & Coke (Cuba Libre if you’re fancy)
Two ingredients, no stress. Rum. Coke. Squeeze in lime and suddenly you’ve leveled up to a Cuba Libre. Pour in a splash of amaretto? It’s a Lounge Lizard (don’t ask me who named that).
5. Gin Rickey
Gin, lime, soda water. Tart, refreshing, kinda timeless. Honestly, if you’re looking to feel like a character in an old novel, this is the drink. And pro tip: a soda maker is worth it if you’re into fizzy drinksit saves money and random trips to the store.
6. Shandy
Half beer, half lemonade. So simple, so good on hot days. You can play arounduse grapefruit juice, orange soda, ginger beer. I once made a “Shandy” with a lemon LaCroix and a can of cheap lager. Was it authentic? No. Was it refreshing? Absolutely.
7. Margarita
Tequila, triple sec, lime juice. That’s the holy trinity. Shake it, blend it, drink it over ice. Use fresh lime juice if you canit makes all the difference. Margaritas are also like blank canvases. Throw in mango, strawberries, jalapeño, whatever’s rolling around your kitchen.
8. Daiquiri
Not the neon slushie kind, but the classic: rum, lime juice, simple syrup. That’s it. Clean, crisp, and way fancier than it costs. But yeah, you can absolutely throw fruit in a blender and make it beachy. Strawberry, banana, pineapplego wild.
9. Lemon Drop Martini
Vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup. Sweet, tart, strong. You can even rim the glass with sugar if you’re feeling extra. I love this one because it tastes like candy but still packs a punch.
10. Gin & Tonic
Ah, the classic. Reliable, refreshing, slightly bitter but in a good way (like a friend who tells it to you straight). You can dress it upadd cucumber, berries, a sprig of rosemary if you’re feeling Pinterest-y. And yes, you can swap gin for vodka if that’s what you’ve got.
11. Kir
Got cheap white wine? Add crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and suddenly it feels chic. If you have sparkling wine, it’s a Kir Royale. Red wine? Cardinal Cocktail. Basically, wine with a glow-up.
12. Mojito
Rum, lime, sugar, mint, soda water. It’s fresh, it’s zesty, and muddling mint leaves feels fancy even if you’re in sweatpants. Bonus: you can throw fruit in thereraspberries, pineapple, watermelon. Or just switch the booze and call it something else.
13. Tequila Sunrise
Orange juice + tequila + grenadine. That’s it. Pour slowly so the grenadine sinks and makes that pretty sunrise effect. I mean, does it taste better because it looks cute? Kinda.
14. Moscow Mule
Vodka, ginger beer, lime. Usually in a copper mug, but honestly, any glass works (don’t let Instagram fool you). Ginger beer is such a fun mixeryou can swap the liquor and make a Dark & Stormy (rum), or a Gin-Gin Mule.
15. Mimosa
Brunch’s best friend. Sparkling wine + orange juice. Cheap bubbly works fineactually, it works better. Nobody wants to mix expensive champagne with Tropicana. Also, swap peach juice and you’ve got a Bellini. Try other juicesgrapefruit, cranberryand suddenly brunch is a party.
16. Hot Toddy
Perfect for chilly nights. Tea (or hot water), lemon, honey, plus whiskey, rum, or brandy. Wrap your hands around the mug, sigh dramatically, feel cozy. It’s basically a blanket in a cup.
17. Michelada
This one’s like a Bloody Mary’s spicy cousin. Beer, lime, hot sauce, Worcestershire, soy sauce, sometimes tomato juice. It’s messy, savory, customizable. If you like spicy drinks, this is your jam.
18. Café Caribbean
Coffee + rum + amaretto. Add whipped cream if you’re feeling dessert-y. Or don’t. It’s delicious either way. I once made this with leftover morning coffee that had gone cold, and it was still fantastic.
19. Strawberry Vodka Lemonade
Summer in a glass. Vodka, lemonade, strawberries. You can muddle fresh berries or just toss in some frozen ones. Honestly, it works with any fruit. Watermelon, blueberries, peaches. And if vodka isn’t your thing, swap the booze. It’s all good.
20. Royal Tea
Tea + gin + lemon + sugar. Kinda elegant, kinda low-effort. You can batch it in a pitcher for summer afternoons. And tea plays nice with all sorts of spirits, so experiment.
so… which one should you start with?
Honestly? The one you already have the stuff for. That’s the beauty of this listmost of these use basic, everyday ingredients. You don’t need a $50 bottle of artisan liqueur. You need juice, soda, maybe some fruit, and whatever spirit’s hanging around your kitchen.
And the best part? Once you try a few, you’ll start mixing and matching. You’ll realize cranberry juice goes with everything. Ginger beer is magical. Simple syrup (literally just sugar and water) makes you feel like a pro.
a quick messy pep talk
listen. you don’t need to be “good” at bartending to enjoy this. you don’t even need to know the names of these drinks (half the time I forget). What matters is you made something delicious with your own hands. That’s kinda cool.
Also: drinking at home saves money. Like, a lot. One cocktail out = $14 plus tip. At home? Maybe $2. Which means more money for snacks. Or plants. Or, you know, rent.
So stock a little bar corner with a few bottles and juices. Get some ice trays. Keep lemons and limes around if you can. And just play. Worst case, you make something weird but still drinkable. Best case, you discover your new signature cocktail.
Cheers to that 🍹
