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Three-ingredient cocktails
- Hannah Guinness
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Make the most of your drinks cupboard with our top 20 quick and easy cocktails, from classic negronis to pre-batched martinis and smooth white russians
Looking for easy cocktails to make at home? Want to create your own cocktails without the complex ingredients and fuss? We've got you covered with our 20 easy ideas that bring the bars to the comfort of your home with just three ingredients.
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From Italian negronis to Brazilian caipirinhas and a Manhattan to make like a trendy New Yorker, these three-ingredient cocktail recipes don't need a fully stocked bar to whip up at home. Next, try our best cocktail recipes, best bitter cocktail recipes, best retro cocktail recipes, tea cocktails and mocktails, vodka cocktails and best American cocktails for more inspiration.
Check out our best summer cocktails collection.
Easy three-ingredient cocktails
Negroni
Want to know how to make the best negroni? Check out our quick and easy recipe for this punchy Italian cocktail using only three ingredients – gin, Campari and vermouth.
Sidecar
Though effortless to make, the sidecar delivers on flavour. Zingy and citrussy, it’s perfect for those who like a sour cocktail.
Dry gin martini
This dry gin martini is the epitome of simplicity and elegance. With just three ingredients it’s quick to make – taking only a few minutes plus chilling time. The classic 5:1 ratio of gin to dry vermouth creates a crisp, refined flavour, but you can adjust it to suit your taste: for a wetter martini, go for a 4:1 ratio, or increase the gin for a drier finish. Stirring the ingredients with ice ensures the perfect level of dilution, resulting in a beautifully balanced cocktail.
Boulevardier
A boulevardier is an autumnal twist on negroni, where using bourbon instead of gin adds a rich, rounded edge to the drink.
Black velvet cocktail
Combine two unlikely ingredients together to make this silky, easy drinking cocktail.
Harvey wallbanger
A vibrant and classic brunch-worthy cocktail that's a great alternative to other orange juice based cocktails, like buck's fizz. It's easily scaled from 1-100.
Amaretto sour
This Amaretto sour, topped with egg froth and a maraschino cherry, makes a simple but stylish cocktail to serve at your next drinks party.
White russian
Vodka, coffee liqueur and cream is all it takes to make this smooth, classic cocktail. Serve in an old fashioned glass, to be really authentic.
Mint julep
An easy three-ingredient drink, a mint julep is the perfect whisky cocktail for summer. Make sure you use crushed ice for this recipe as it dilutes more quickly, which is essential for the final taste of the cocktail
Vesper martini
The key to this vesper martini is Lillet Blanc, a wine-based aperitif from France. It's shaken with gin and vodka and served with a twist of lemon to make an elegant cocktail.
IPA and Campari shandy
Make this sophisticated spin on a pub classic by swapping lemonade for Campari. Garnish with a wedge of orange for a lovely late summer/ early autumn aperitif that requires only three ingredients.
Manhattan
Live like a trendy New Yorker in your own home with our classic Manhattan recipe made with whisky, vermouth and Angostura bitters. It's best served in a coupe glass, with an illuminous cocktail cherry to garnish.
Kir royale
This simple concoction of Champagne, blackcurrant liqueur and blackberries make an impressive cocktail fit for a festive gathering or special family treat.
Pre-bottled dirty martini
This easy cocktail is a great one to make in a batch and keep chilled in the fridge for emergencies.
Bicicletta spritz
A sophisticated take on a classic cocktail, this recipe uses dry white wine (a light Italian variety) in place of the usual prosecco, along with Campari and soda water. Garnish with an orange for the best result.
Caipirinha
Mojito fans in particular will love this light, zesty yet punchy cocktail from Brazil. Muddle lime wedges, caster sugar and cachaca together to bring your holiday to your home.
Old fashioned
A seriously sophisticated cocktail, the original old fashioned calls for just three ingredients plus a twist of orange to garnish. It's a punchy, mature and super-classy option to sip on at home.
Sake cider fizz
Spike sparkling cider with sake and yuzu juice for an elegant, easy-drinking cocktail to perk up your weekend.
Rum negroni
Rum makes this drink a little gentler than a classic gin negroni. Combine with vermouth and Campari for an easy, 3-ingredient cocktail to cheer you up.
Beetroot vodka martini
A riff on a dirty vodka martini – this instead uses the juice from a jar of pickled beetroots, which gives a lovely pink colour and sweet, earthy balance.
Espresso and tonic
This is a great choice when you’re steering clear of alcohol – really quick and easy to make, and with the little kick of caffeine to give a booze-free boost.
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Pickle martini
A dirty martini is a must for savoury cocktail lovers – we like using the brine from a jar of gherkins or, for an aromatic twist, try brine from a jar of preserved lemons.
Authors
Hannah GuinnessSenior sub editor and drinks writer
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