Cocktails are fun to make, delightful to enjoy, and they work wonders when you want to impress your guests. That said, there are so many cocktail recipes out there that it can be tough to choose the ones you want to try. Starting off simple is always a good idea – not to mention a cheaper option since you won’t need to buy as many ingredients. Here are some easy cocktail recipes that only require a handful of ingredients.
Grapefruit Shandy
Ingredients:

  • 5 large red grapefruit
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 bottles lager or beer

Method:

  • In a small saucepan, over a low hat, blend the water and sugar until dissolved.
  • Set the sugar water aside and let it cool.
  • Juice the fruit and strain it properly to get rid of an pulp. Of course, if you enjoy the pulp, you can leave it in!
  • Pour the grapefruit juice into a pitcher and add the syrup (sugar water).
  • Place the juice in the fridge for about an hour to chill.
  • Divide the mixture into four glasses and top them off with ice old beer.
  • Garnish with a grapefruit slice and enjoy!

 
Butterbeer
Ingredients:

  • 12 oz pumpkin ale
  • 3 – 4 Tbsp butterscotch sauce (homemade if possible)

Method:

  • Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan over a medium heat.
  • Whisk occasionally and allow to cook until the beer starts to boil.
  • Taste and add more butterscotch if necessary
  • Pour into a mug and enjoy
  • If you prefer the cold variety, you can put the beer in a blender and, while it’s running, you add the butterscotch very slowly. Be careful not to blend too much or the beer will become flat. Taste and add more butterscotch if needed. Pour into a mug and enjoy!

 
Vesper Martini

  • 1 ½ oz vodka
  • ½ oz gin
  • ¼ – ½ oz Lillet Blanc
  • Lemon peel (garnish)

Method:

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a mixing glass and add ice. Strain and pour into your glass before garnishing with a lemon peel.

 
Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients:

  • 2 oz pomegranate liqueur
  • Dry sparkling wine or champagne (chilled)
  • Lemon peel (garnish)

Method:

  • Add 1 oz pomegranate liqueur to each champagne glass.
  • Top off with the sparkling wine and stir gently to blend.
  • Twist the lemon peels over each glass to add lemon oil to each glass before decorating with the garnish.

 
Blood Orange Rickey
Ingredient:

  • 2 blood oranges (one cut into quarters and the other one cut into thin slices for garnishing)
  • 8 oz gin
  • 1 litre chilled sparkling water (if you can find orange or blood orange flavoured water – even better!
  • Simple syrup, crushed sugar cube, or orange blossom water – optional

Method:

  • Use 4 highball glasses and squeeze ¼ of blood orange juice into each one.
  • If you want to use sugar, add it now.
  • Pour 2 ounces of gin over the juice in each glass and top with the sparkling water.
  • Garnish with orange slices and add some ice chips if desired.