6 Easy Cocktails to Make at Home

There’s nothing better than coming home from a long day of work and making yourself your favorite cocktail. You can unwind from the stress of the day, forget about your problems, and get a nice buzz going.

But the best part is the fact that you can enjoy a drink in the comfort of your home, not a crowded bar—and all you need is a good shaker, a nice cold glass, and your favorite alcohol.

Here’s a list of six easy cocktails to make instead of cracking open a beer.

#1 Mezcalita

Mezcal is a Mexican twice-distilled alcohol made from the agave plant. If you’re a tequila fanatic or lover of Mexican flavors, chances are you have a bottle of this 100-proof liquor in your cabinet. If not, you’re definitely missing out.

Here’s what you need to make this twist on a margarita:

  • 4 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 oz. mezcal
  • ¼ oz. light agave or simple syrup
  • Salt and agave for the rim

Hibiscus essence, pineapple, and cilantro are also fun flavors you could incorporate into this cocktail. Salud!

#2 Soju Bomb

If you haven’t had the fortune to taste the contents of South Korea’s iconic green alcohol bottles, now’s your chance. Soju is a clear alcohol of around 20% ABV that comes in sweet flavors like peach, apple, citron, and even yogurt. However, for the purposes of this cocktail, it’s best to go with a classic unflavored soju.

This cocktail only requires two ingredients:

  • 2 shots of soju
  • 1 bottle of beer

To make this even more authentic, use a deliciously light Korean beer. For an easy one-shot, simply pour the soju into the glass of beer. If you’re feeling rowdy, balance a shot of soju atop two chopsticks on the rim of your beer glass, spill the soju into the glass by slamming your hands down on the table, and enjoy.

#3 Unnamed CBD Cocktail

CBD is an extremely versatile ingredient when it comes to your cocktail repertoire, especially nowadays: CBD is seemingly popping up in everything from face masks to ice cream to, well, alcohol. An increasing amount of people are using a CBD tincture for sleep, or a few drops under the tongue to unwind after a long day.

Here’s a basic recipe for a CBD gin and tonic that you can use as a template for all your future boozy CBD experiments:

  • 2 oz. gin
  • 4 oz. tonic water (for added effect, try hemp-infused water)
  • ½ tsp. CBD oil drizzled over top

The beauty of this cocktail is the versatility of the CBD. You can make any classic cocktail you want and spruce it up with any variety of CBD you desire!

#4 Mimosa

It doesn’t get simpler than this classic. Instead of going out to an expensive restaurant, invite your friends over for homemade bottomless mimosas and watch your house become the new brunch spot.

Here’s all you need to make a refreshing mimosa:

  • Champagne
  • Chilled orange juice

If you really want to get extravagant, splurge on fancy champagne flutes. To make things even simpler, the ratio is one part champagne, one part orange juice. But if we’re being realistic, the ratio isn’t what’s important here, so feel free to throw moderation out the door.

#5 Martini

This is definitely a cocktail that every alcohol aficionado should have in their repertoire. While the martini has a swanky reputation, it really is one of the simplest cocktails to make.

You only need three ingredients to make a martini worthy of 007 himself:

  • 2½ oz. gin or vodka
  • ½ oz. dry vermouth
  • Citrus twist or olives for garnish

Stir or shake the gin (or vodka) and vermouth together with ice until completely chilled. Then garnish with the ingredients of your choosing, and voila!

#6 Irish Coffee

An Irish Coffee is a favorite for those who prefer their pick-me-up in the morning, not the evening. However, the Irish Coffee doesn’t discriminate; true coffee lovers have been known to drink this any time of day.

This is all you need to brew a quality Irish Coffee:

  • 1 cup of your favorite brewed hot coffee
  • 1 tablespoon brown or maple sugar (optional)
  • 1½ ounces whiskey (preferably Irish)

Get your caffeine and whiskey fix in one place. Then go forth and conquer the world.

Minimum Ingredients, Maximum Impact

Mixing cocktails is a skill that is sure to impress wherever you go. And where better to impress than at home, with ingredients you already have in your minibar?

Hopefully these six new additions to your repertoire will serve you well for years (and parties) to come.