30 Easy Cocktail Recipes 

Do you have an event coming up where you need to be a cocktail pro? Perhaps a BBQ, garden party, or work event, and you have been left in charge to impress your guests with your bar skills and cocktail making. If this is you and you don’t have a clue where to start, help is at hand. We have 30 easy cocktail recipes that are sure to impress.

Cocktails can be as simple as mixing two ingredients. Or it could mean mixing a plethora of different spirits and flavours which can get confusing. And that is without mentioning the fancy details like the extra decorations and special glasses.

30 Easy Cocktail Recipes

Well, not to worry. We have come up with 30 different and super-easy cocktail recipes for you to follow that will impress anyone. You don’t have to be a professional or skilled bartender for these drinks, all you need is the ingredients and some enthusiasm.

We’ll be talking you through classic and traditional cocktail drinks to new, innovative, and modern cocktails. So, what are you waiting for? Here is everything you need to know about making the following cocktails…

Incidentally, the fabulous Frozen Margarita pictured below comes from Saporita Taquito, a funky Mexican restaurant in Melbourne’s Southbank.

Frozen Margarita - Easy Cocktail Recipes

Are you serving cocktails as part of a larger event? See our article on Finger Food Catering for insights into feeding big groups.

Old-Fashioned

The next cocktail recipe we want to talk about is the ‘old-fashioned’. Much as it sounds, this is a very traditional cocktail that was first created way back in the early 1800s. This drink has been around for centuries – and with good reason too. Obviously, if it didn’t taste as good as it does, we wouldn’t still be drinking it.

This cocktail has an array of different ingredients creating a sweet yet bitter flavour that is a joy to taste. This cocktail is a mix of bourbon, orange, sugar, bitters, and cherry. 

Cosmopolitan

Any Sex and The City fan knows about this cocktail.

The cosmopolitan is another increasingly popular modern cocktail. The drink is made from a mixture of vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime, and tastes refreshing yet sweet.

Packed with citrus flavours with hints of berry, this drink is the perfect cocktail for a boozy evening. Pink in colour, not only is this drink aesthetically pleasing to look at, but it also tastes as good as it looks. It reminds us of a very alcoholic version of pink lemonade – yum! 

See here for prices and information on cocktail sets for the home.

Kir Royale

Another option for a light and fizzy pink drink is the elegant kir royale. This cocktail is made using a french berry liqueur and chilled champagne. Elevate your champagne toasts by using this simple cocktail that infuses your choice of champagne with notes of berry flavours.

A perfect Summertime drink that is great for all occasions and a dream to mix and serve. It’s deserves it’s place amongst our easy cocktail recipes.

Grasshopper

This cocktail is the perfect alcoholic beverage for those of you who are big fans of mint chocolate milkshakes. Although the drink is not very strong in terms of alcohol, it is still super yummy and a great cocktail to begin with if you are new to drinking.

The drink is best known for its green appearance that is created from a mix of creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and light cream. This minty cocktail is the perfect sweet treat to enjoy after a meal.

Organising a 21st? See our Catering Food Ideas for Birthday Parties

Whiskey Sour

Although you may think from the title that this drink would be completely sour, it is actually the perfect mix of sweet and sour. The balance is created by combining bourbon, lemon juice, and maple syrup.

This thick, delicious cocktail was first created in the 1870s and has survived throughout the years until now. The traditional drink is still as popular as it was then today because of the unique blend of flavors, and thick, juicy texture. 

Mimosa

Sometimes, plain old champagne just isn’t flash enough for the occasion, so why not try making a mimosa cocktail? This champagne-based drink takes your standard bubbly and takes it to the next level.

With the addition of orange juice, this refreshing drink is perfect for the warmer weather. It also and sweetens the taste of your champagne with hints of fruity flavour. If you aren’t a fan of orange juice, you could try substituting for grapefruit juice instead. And why stop there?

Add a dash of Cointreau for an extra splash of citrus flavour. You can even make a virgin version by simply mixing orange juice with soda – perfect for kids who want to join in with the grown-ups.

Are you in Melbourne and on the hunt for someone to organise an event for you? See our post on the Best Caterers in Melbourne

Pina Colada

Few cocktails are as loved as the pina colada, so we had to pop it on our easy cocktails recipes list.

If you want to feel like you’re relaxing on a beach on vacation, there isn’t a drink more perfect than the pina colada. This drink is evocative of soothing beach sounds with every sip. The fruity, summery taste of the drink is made by blending pineapple, coconut cream, and rum.

The pina colada is tropical in taste and the best cocktail to get yourself in that Summer mood. Not only is it a very tasty beverage, but it also looks super cute decorated with a tropical cocktail umbrella.

Although they don’t add to the taste, they certainly contribute to making the drink 100x more aesthetically pleasing!

If you like your cocktails on the sweet-side, perhaps our Easy Baileys Cocktails will interest you?

French 75

If you have never heard of a french 75 you must have been living under a rock. This classic cocktail is a must-have for anyone who enjoys an alcoholic treat. To make this tempting cocktail mix gin, champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Very high in alcohol, and very full in flavour, this sparkling cocktail is perfect for any fancy event. It is the perfect drink to mix if you want to show off your bartending skills. The cocktail itself is named after a french gun from the first world war, so you are sure to know it will come with a bang. 

Amaretto Sour

This is another perfectly balanced sweet and sour cocktail. The base alcohol for this drink is amaretto, which gives the beverage a fruity and almost nutty taste. The sourness of the blend comes from the addition of lemon juice.

And easy cocktail recipes don’t get much simpler than this. This cocktail only uses two ingredients. This makes it perfect for anyone who just wants something quick and simple but likes a drink that is still delicious and caters to both the sweet and sour sides of people.

Maybe you’d rather someone else mixed these easy cocktail recipes for you? If so, take a look at our Best Cocktails Bars in Sydney.

Tequila Sunrise

One of the best parts about this cocktail, apart from the taste, of course, is it’s eye-catching appearance. Different shades of vibrant yellows and oranges layer together mimicking the image of a sunrise.

This cocktail is best served in the warmer months and summertime because it is fruity, refreshing, and tastes how you’d imagine summer would. The combination of orange juice, grenadine, and tequila mix creates a beautiful drink that tastes as spectacular as it looks.

Mojito

Yet another cocktail containing lime and rum, this citrusy and refreshing cocktail will have your mouth watering. The combination of the rum and lime creates a spectacularly summery taste. What is different about a mojito, however, is the addition of mint.

The cooling effect the mint creates balances the sourness of the lime and rum mix. It makes for a perfectly refreshing flavour and a shoo-in for our easy cocktail recipes.

Bloody Mary

Certainly not for the faint of heart, the bloody Mary cocktail is a savoury drink, with hot spices alongside the spice and warmth of the booze. Bloody Marys are made from a mix of tomato juice, hot sauce, and vodka to create a splendidly hot and fiery drink.

Garnished with a salted rim, this drink is sure to leave you with a hot mouth and a light head. Perfect if you didn’t fancy a sweet or refreshing drink, and wanted something more warming and on the savoury side. 

Looking for a sleek cocktail shaker for your next party? See here for prices and information.

Tom Collins

The origins of a Tom Collins cocktail are unclear, with the USA and the UK arguing over who invented it first. One thing we do know though is that they are super-tasty! Another refreshing and sweet beverage, this cocktail is made from a mix of lemon, gin, soda, and sugar.

The lemon and sugar complement one another, creating a perfect balance of sweet and sour. In fact, this drink tastes dangerously similar to homemade lemonade – but with a twist of booze of course.

Paloma

This Mexican cocktail, the Paloma, is a mix of refreshing and sweetness, leaving a tart taste behind. The Paloma cocktail is within the same family as the margarita, so if you are a fan of that cocktail, you’re probably going to love this one.

A modern twist on the classic flavours of a margarita, the Paloma uses grapefruit to give extra tang to its taste. Mix tequila with grapefruit soda, or grapefruit juice and soda water, rim the glass with salt and you will have yourself the perfect zingy, fruity beverage.

Cranberry St.Germain

The cranberry St. Germain is the perfect cocktail to make and enjoy during the festive season. This is because the drink is the perfect festive red colour. You could even add edible glitter to make it extra-celebratory and sparkly.

St.Germain is a relatively new liquor and worth checking out.

With a blend of St. Germain, cranberry juice, and vodka, this insanely yummy drink is could become your favourite of our easy cocktail recipes.

Mai Tai

This Tiki drink is enjoyed across the globe, its name meaning ‘good’ in Tahitian. And with a name like that, you just know you are in for a treat.

Lime juice is mixed with orgeat syrup and Curacao liqueur and served over ice. The tropical rum-based beverage is a refreshing change in flavour, and perfect for those who want to try something new. 

Michelada

Much like a bloody Mary, or a Caesar, this drink is also made with tomato juice and hot sauce. It’s a fiery cocktail, which also uses lime juice for a splash of citrus. You’re probably wondering where the alcohol is? Instead of vodka, this drink calls for the addition of beer.

The rim is then coated with a mixture of celery salt, chilli powder, and Old Bay to compliment the savoury notes in the drink. I’m sure you are probably thinking that these flavour combinations are quite odd, but trust us and give it a go…you’ll be surprised.

Hurricane

Refreshing, citrusy, and fruity, the hurricane cocktail will sweep you off your feet. Made from a mix of both light and dark rums with the addition of lime juice, oranges, grenadine, and simple syrup, this drink is lively and refreshing.

Are you gluten intolerant? See our Gluten-Free Dinner Ideas

Carajillo

This Mexican recipe is super popular in its home country, Spain, and Latin America. This unique cocktail has a coffee-based flavour and will be sure to keep you up and dancing throughout the night. Aside from coffee, this cocktail also mixes Licor 43 – a liqueur that contains 43 different ingredients.

This means that along with the espresso, you’ll taste hints of vanilla, orange blossom, cinnamon and so many more. A beautifully complex, yet simple-to-make cocktail. It’s an unusual entry on our easy cocktail recipes list.

See here if this post about Mexican cocktails has made you hungry for Mexican food in Brisbane.

Dark And Stormy

Created by sailors and inspired by the stormy seas, this cocktail is packed with flavour. A mixture of dark rum and ginger beer, this cocktail is warming and bitter. A dash of lime juice is added for a splash of citrus that helps to lighten the drink and add a hint of something refreshing. 

Malibu Sunset

After all of those tequila sunrises you made earlier, it is time for the sun to set. The malibu sunset cocktail is another fun and fruity drink perfectly enjoyed on a summer’s day or evening.

Interestingly, this drink is practically a mix of a pina colada and a tequila sunrise – so if you are a fan of either or both of those you are going to love this drink. In this cocktail, there is a mix of pineapple, coconut rum, orange juice, grenadine, and cherries.

When the drink has settled the ingredients separate to look like the sunset. A spectacular-looking drink with a spectacular flavour. 

Sex On The Beach

Another classic alcoholic cocktail, the sex on the beach is made from vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. The blend of all the flavours creates a summer-y, tropical drink that will remind you of hot and sunny days.

This pink drink looks perfect when garnished with a slice of orange and served in a tall glass over ice. 

Looking for a cocktail bar in Melbourne, but not sure where to go? Take a peak at out guide.

Purple Rain

This bubbly and fruity cocktail is a crowd-pleaser. Sweet with hints of parma violet, this drink is not only delicious but pretty to look at too. With a mix of vodka and gin, this boozy beverage is perfect for a summer day.

Lime juice, lemon juice, soda, and grenadine should also be mixed to create the distinctive taste of a purple rain cocktail.

SideCar

A sidecar cocktail is a perfect drink for those of you who enjoy a sour beverage. Predominantly sour with a dash of sweetness, this cocktail is made from a mix of orange liqueur and lemon juice.

Added to this can be the spirit of your choice, usually one of the following: brandy, cognac, bourbon, or Armagnac. Although the ingredients list may seem very simple, once mixed the result is a complex drink.

Sea Breeze

This cocktail is a great one to have in your easy cocktail recipes arsenal.

Containing vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice, this sweet and refreshing fruity cocktail is best served during the Summer months. Mouth-wateringly fruity with hints of fruity flavours, this drink is perfect for the hot weather.

Daiquiri

If you are partial to a rum-based drink, then try making a daiquiri cocktail. This drink is a blend of rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. With very few ingredients, this cocktail manages to create a surprisingly fruity cocktail that is bursting with flavour!

Once you have mastered the basic concoction, then you can start to experiment by using different flavours such as pineapple, strawberry, or even banana. The options are endless and you will be sure to find the perfect daiquiri for you. 

Our easy cocktail recipes give you the information to mix great drinks, but do you have the right glasses to serve them? See here for prices and information on cocktail glasses.

Bahama Mama

Another yummy cocktail for all the coconut and pineapple lovers, the Bahama Mama is certain to tickle your tastebuds. The summery and fruity flavours of this cocktail mix together to create the perfect drink to remind you of the beach.

The tropical beverage is made using a mix of coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine, and dark rum. Once mixed you have an almost creamy, sweet, and fruity alcoholic drink that packs a punch. 

Moscow Mule

This is a very warm, very boozy cocktail that will also leave you feeling refreshed. A mix of lime, ginger beer, and vodka, this drink is quite bitter and sour in taste. While the ginger creates warmth, the lime gives the drink a cool and refreshing lift.

The combination of warm and citrusy flavours makes it the perfect cocktail for any occasion and during any time of year.

And I must confess, it’s one of my favourite easy cocktail recipes.

Long Island Iced Tea

Certainly not for the faint-hearted, this cocktail is made with five different spirits. The long island iced tea cocktail doesn’t have any tea in it, but rather vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and triple sec, with a blend of ice and cola.

This knock-out boozy punch is a crowd-pleaser that is perfect for balmy summer days. It is refreshing and certain to get you tipsy.

Dylan Cole

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