Anyone Can Be a Mixologist with These Two-Ingredient Cocktail Recipes

Sometimes less really is more—especially behind the bar. And there’s a long list of two-ingredient cocktails that prove you don’t need a huge selection of liqueurs or syrups to embrace your inner mixologist. 

Need proof? Take a look at the cocktails we’ve rounded up below.

Whether you want to sip a fizzy spritz or something stirred and sumptuous, these libations deliver full flavor with minimal fuss. Each of these cocktails boast no more than two base ingredients (so, no pricey or labor intensive stuff). Some, however, do have garnishes such as citrus peels or mint sprigs, which always help to liven up drinks—but feel free to omit if you want to keep things on the simpler side.

From brunch staples to after-dinner classics, here are 19 of the simplest two-ingredient cocktails to shake, stir and enjoy with ease.

Carajillo

Bold, bittersweet and aromatic, the Carajillo is Spain and Latin America’s simpler answer to the espresso martini. It pairs complex, citrusy Licor 43 with hot espresso. Served over ice, it’s simultaneously indulgent and refreshing—perfect for late afternoon or post-dinner pick-me-ups.

Godfather

Named for the 1972 film, the Godfather combines two parts Scotch whisky to one part amaretto (an almond-forward Italian liqueur) to create a cocktail oozing with weight and character. With nutty sweetness set against a backdrop of more moody and mature notes of smoke and ash, the complex combination is a testament to what a “simple” cocktail can achieve.

Death in the Afternoon

Need a way to get rid of the absinthe sitting on your bar cart? Ernest Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon might just be your answer. This unusual mix, invented in 1932 and named after Hemingway’s book released the same year, combines absinthe and Champagne and is equal parts elegant and intense. With an herbal bite and jubilant fizz, it’s a drink that feels both celebratory and a little dangerous.

7 and 7

Sweet, simple and slightly nostalgic, the 7 and 7 traditionally pairs 7-Up lemon-lime soda and Seagram’s 7 Crown whiskey. The cocktail rose to huge popularity in the 1970s, and though it hasn’t reached the same heights in recent years, it can still be a go-to for easygoing refreshment.

Greyhound

Tart and refreshing, the Greyhound is a crisp blend of vodka and grapefruit juice, best served over ice, preferably poolside on a hot summer day. Garnish with a wedge of citrus or swap vodka for your favorite gin to make it a bit more botanical.

Milano-Torino

Campari, the bitter backbone of the Negroni, meets sweet vermouth in the Milano-Torino, or Mi-To for short. Serve it over ice with an orange twist and you’ve got the building blocks of la dolce vita.

Highball

Though highball definitions seem to vary depending on who you ask, the general consensus is that a highball involves mixing a spirit with some sort of carbonated liquid. Simple? Yes. Adaptable and ready to be called upon at a moment’s notice? You know it. 

It is one of the most classic cocktail formats—in fact, some of the other drinks on this list could be considered highballs. Whether it be a Scotch and soda or a Ranch Water (tequila and soda with a lime garnish), highballs are always ready to step up to the plate and deliver a high-quality, low-effort cocktail that’ll keep you refreshed day or night.

Kir

A classic French apéritif, the Kir is as elegant as it is easy to make. Your preferred white wine meets crème de cassis for a lightly sweet, berry-tinged blend best enjoyed pre-dinner—or on a patio in spring. 

Kir Royale

Essentially a Kir with bubbles, the Kir Royale swaps out the white wine in favor of your favorite Champagne.

White Wine Spritzer

This bubbly refresher elevates your favorite white wine with fizzy soda water and a garnish of your choice. Light on alcohol and effort, a spritzer is perfect for picnics, garden parties or any other outdoor occasion as we dive into summer.

Black Russian

Dark, boozy and direct, the Black Russian is a post-war classic that is said to have predated its White Russian counterpart by over 10 years. No cream here—just vodka and coffee liqueur, stirred and served over ice. If you just so happened to have a recently-torched orange peel lying around, we wouldn’t fault you for using it as a garnish.

Mimosa

No brunch is complete without this iconic duo of orange juice and sparkling wine. Whether your go-to is Prosecco, Crémant or even Champagne, the Mimosa is endlessly easy to make and serves as a reminder that some of the best cocktails are also the simplest.

Cuba Libre

A simple mix of rum and cola with a lime garnish, the Cuba Libre is more than the sum of its parts. Created by an American captain at the end of the Cuban War of Independence (the name translates to “free Cuba” after all), it’s crisp, sweet and subtly citrusy—which is probably why it’s been a hit for so long. 

Ranch Water

This West Texas staple keeps things refreshingly simple: blanco tequila, fizzy mineral water and often a squeezed slice of lime. Ranch Water is light, dry and built for hot days under the Texas sun and beyond.

Bellini

First poured at Venice’s iconic Harry’s Bar in the 1940s, the Bellini’s bright, bubbly blend of peach purée and Prosecco have earned it entry into the annals of classic cocktail history. It’s punchy and fruit-forward, with a light sweetness that makes it a natural fit for brunches, birthdays and any festivity in between.

Martini

With all of the martini’s endless customizations, there’s something to be said for the simplicity of the classic gin version—its clean, botanical and sharply defined character has helped it earn a cult-like following among generations of cocktail drinkers. With just two components—gin and dry vermouth—the balance has to be perfect, falling just short of austere. Garnishing with olives or a lemon twist adds effortless elegance.

Fuzzy Navel

Sweet, fruity and unapologetically retro, the 1980s-era Fuzzy Navel takes things a bit less seriously than its big brother, the Screwdriver, swapping out vodka in favor of peach schnapps. It’s lower on alcohol and bigger on flavor, with porch-sipping serenity written all over it.

Gin & Tonic

The Gin & Tonic needs no introduction—for more than 170 years, this straightforward cocktail has captured our hearts and made gin a perpetual bar cart staple. So, pick out your favorite London Dry gin and tonic water, throw in a lime wedge or another garnish (we’ve got suggestions) and call it a day.

Amaro Highball

Bitter meets bubbly in this low-abv cocktail that’s perfect both before dinner and after. Earthy and herbal, the Amaro Highball makes its depth more approachable with soda water, creating a drink that’s refreshing and easygoing, yet complex.

More Cocktail Coverage

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• Want to follow another craze? Whip up one of these on-trend butter yellow cocktails.
• The gin and tonic is over 170 years old, but these G&T recipes prove why the cocktail will always feel current. 
• With summer fast approaching, it’s time to get back into margarita mode with these standout recipes. 

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