Sometimes you just want a simple cocktail. No shaking, no big effort. How about just two ingredients, plus ice and a glass? This is the list for you!
Cocktails don’t have to be complicated to be delicious and satisfying. These range from very light cocktails to heavy duty shooter drinks that are pure alcohol, no mixers.
There’s something here for everybody. Whether you’re looking for a quick drink at the end of a long day or something to savor, we’ve got you covered.
Simple Entertaining
Do you want to impress your guests without making a lot of effort? Surprise – these cocktails are that good!
And no shaking is required for most of them. Put away your cocktail shaker – these are just pour and stir, and serve. So easy!
The Beauty of Two-Ingredient Drinks
Two-ingredient cocktails might sound too good to be true, but they’re actually a testament to the beauty of simplicity. By using only two ingredients, you can focus on the quality and flavors of each.
These recipes give you drinks that are both uncomplicated and delicious. And they’re perfect for beginners or minimalists.
With just a few key ingredients on hand, you can create an array of impressive drinks in no time.
Making Them Special
Because you’re not scrambling to find all the ingredients you need, you can focus on quality over quantity.
- Quality Ingredients: Since there are only two components in these cocktails, you might as well use high-quality ingredients. Opt for premium spirits and fresh juices for the best flavor.
- Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations and variations. Mix different types of spirits or add a splash of flavored syrup or bitters to create unique twists on classic recipes.
- Garnishes and Presentation: While two-ingredient cocktails are inherently simple, you can still elevate their appearance by adding garnishes. Whether it’s a citrus twist, fresh herbs, or an interesting ice shape, presentation can make all the difference.
2 Ingredient Drinks
The French Connection cocktail recipe blends two ingredients - cognac and amaretto liqueur - for a sophisticated and tasty blend. And it's a wonderful sipping experience.
The Cinnamon Toast Crunch captures the flavors of cinnamon, vanilla and a little something else. It's a delicious combination, just like the drink's namesake.
The Black Russian is a simple cocktail recipe that tastes like a sweetened mocha. But don't let the simplicity fool you - it's a rich, delicious drink.
The Greyhound cocktail is a classic drink recipe made with only two ingredients: gin or vodka and grapefruit juice. Learn how to make one to enjoy at home!
The Malibu Driver is one of the simplest cocktail recipes out there, with just two ingredients: Malibu coconut rum and orange juice. Because it includes two ounces of the coconut rum, that flavor balances the sweet-tartness of the orange juice, and you get a flavor that's mellow with no rough edges.
The Tiatip is a very simple cocktail with just two ingredients. It's one of the easiest layered cocktails to make, too. And it's absolutely delicious, with a taste like a sweet mocha coffee.
This delicious drink tastes like sweetened mint with hints of caramel from the rum. It's refreshing and so easy to make with just two ingredients.
The Nilla Wafer Martini blends the flavors of vanilla and amaretto to taste like the cookie after which it's named. It's not as sweet as you might imagine, which makes it a nice drink to enjoy before dinner.
The Peppermint Moscow Moose is super simple, but super delicious. No frou frou here – in fact, the entire drink is pure alcohol.
The Stinger makes a great after dinner drink. It tastes like a lightly sweet dessert. But with no mixers and pure alcohol, it’s also a good, strong drink.
The Adelle Special cocktail is simple but sublime. If you're new to Scotch, this makes a lovely introduction to it, adding sweetened orange to Scotch.
The Cascade Cocktail is an extremely sweet cocktail that tastes like blackcurrant (or raisins) with hints of grape and spice. The original version only calls for two ingredients, although my version adds gin to make it a bit less sweet and add some delicious herbal notes.
The Foreplay Cocktail is a very simple shooter cocktail featuring the flavors of almond and pineapple. It's a sweet, rich, intoxicating combination.
The Jumpin' Black Jack is a sweet but potent cocktail. It blends Jack Daniels with blackberry brandy for plenty of proof and flavor.
The Midnight Oil shot got its name from its appearance: it looks a little like oil. It's basically three parts amaretto to one part Jägermeister.
This delicious recipe blends hot chocolate and Kahlua together for a tasty treat. It's perfect for cool evenings or anytime you're in the mood for hot chocolate.
The Cake Mix is an extremely simple cocktail with just two ingredients. But sometimes simple is best, and the flavor on this one is a lot of fun.
The Jack Knife cocktail recipe features Jack Daniels and Baileys. It's so easy to make, and absolutely delicious. It tastes kind of like a whiskey with cream and sugar.
The Blue Cowboy is, as you've probably guessed, a blue cocktail. It's pretty simple, featuring just two ingredients, and it's a very fun drink.
Most recipes you'll find for the Screwdriver don't call for the pinch of salt. But it smooths the rough edges of the orange juice's acidity and the "burning" flavor of the vodka. This is a refreshing cocktail that's ideal for brunches.
The Hairy Jerry cocktail recipe couldn't be simpler. It has just two ingredients - papaya juice and rum - and they are both delicious, so you can't go wrong.
The Jack Honey & Grapefruit cocktail is just what it sounds like. Two ingredients, one sweet and one tangy, blend together to perfection.