15 Must-try Cocktails for Beginners

Feeling lost in the world of cocktails as a beginner? The key to mastering cocktails is to start with the basics—simple recipes that are flavorful and easy to recreate. You don’t need to be overwhelmed by fancy techniques or obscure ingredients. In this guide, you’ll discover 15 essential cocktails designed specifically for beginners, making it easy for you to get started on your mixology journey with confidence.

Margarita

A Margarita is a popular cocktail that’s easy to make and perfect for beginners. The combination of tequila, lime, and triple sec creates a refreshing and tangy drink. You can enjoy it on any occasion, and it only requires a few ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 oz triple sec
• Salt for rimming the glass
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Rim the glass with salt: Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass. Dip the rim in salt.
2. Add ingredients to a shaker: Combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec.
3. Shake with ice: Fill the cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
4. Strain into the glass: Pour the mixture into your prepared glass over fresh ice.

Tips:

• Use good-quality tequila for the best flavor.
• Fresh lime juice is essential for a vibrant taste.
• Chill your glass beforehand for a colder drink.

A classic Margarita will impress with its simplicity and taste.

Mojito

A Mojito is a refreshing cocktail perfect for beginners. It’s made with mint, lime, and rum. Here’s an easy recipe to get you started.

Ingredients

• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 1/2 ounces white rum
• 1/2 cup club soda

Instructions

1. Muddle Mint and Lime
   Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the oils and juice. Add 2 more lime wedges and muddle again.
2. Add Sugar
   Add the sugar and gently muddle to mix.
3. Add Ice and Rum
   Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour in the white rum over the ice.
4. Top with Club Soda
   Top off with club soda. Give the drink a good stir to mix all the flavors together.
5. Garnish
   Garnish with the remaining lime wedge and a sprig of mint for a beautiful finish.

Piña Colada

The Piña Colada is a classic, tropical cocktail originating from Puerto Rico. It blends rum, coconut, and pineapple flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz rum (white or aged)
• 1 oz cream of coconut
• 1 oz coconut milk
• 3 oz pineapple juice
• 1 cup ice
• Pineapple slice and maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine rum, cream of coconut, coconut milk, pineapple juice, and ice in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into a chilled glass.
4. Garnish with a pineapple slice and maraschino cherry.

This cocktail balances the sweetness of pineapple and coconut with the warmth of rum. It’s perfect for beginners. You don’t need a lot of tools. Just a good blender and fresh ingredients for the best results.

The story says that bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero created the Piña Colada in 1954 at the Caribe Hilton hotel. This drink quickly became popular among vacationers and remains a symbol of beachside relaxation to this day.

Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan, often called a “Cosmo,” is a classic cocktail. It’s famous for its tart, citrusy flavor and elegant appearance. Here’s how you can make one at home.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka (use a good quality brand)
• 1 oz cranberry juice (unsweetened is best)
• 0.5 oz triple sec (such as Cointreau)
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• Ice
• Lime wheel or twist (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice to the shaker.
3. Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a lime wheel or twist.

The Cosmopolitan is simple yet sophisticated. The combination of vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice creates a balanced drink that is both refreshing and visually appealing.

Perfect for any occasion, this cocktail is a staple in any beginner’s cocktail repertoire.

Martini

The martini is a classic cocktail that every beginner should try. It’s elegant, straightforward, and easy to make at home.

Traditional Martini Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ oz. gin or vodka
• ½ oz. dry vermouth
• Ice
• Olives or lemon peel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add gin or vodka and dry vermouth.
3. Stir the mixture until well chilled.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with olives or a lemon peel.

Variations

You can create different martini variations by adjusting the ingredients. Here are a few popular options:

Dirty Martini:

• 2 ½ oz. gin or vodka
• ½ oz. dry vermouth
• ½ oz. olive brine
• Garnish with olives

Lemon Drop Martini:

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• ¾ oz. simple syrup
• Garnish with a sugared rim

Pumpkin Pie Martini:

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. heavy cream
• 1 oz. pumpkin puree
• ½ oz. simple syrup
• ¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• Garnish with cinnamon stick or whipped cream

Tips for Beginners

Use fresh ingredients for the best taste. Chill your glass before serving. Experiment with different garnishes. Try both gin and vodka to find your preference.

Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail. It’s popular among beginners and aficionados alike.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1 sugar cube or 1 tsp simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Ice cubes
• Orange peel
• Maraschino cherry

Instructions:

1. Muddle the sugar: Place the sugar cube or simple syrup in a short rocks glass. Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters. Muddle to combine.
2. Add the bourbon: Pour the bourbon over the muddled mixture. Mix gently.
3. Add ice: Add ice cubes to the glass. Stir again to chill the drink.
4. Garnish: Twist an orange peel over the glass to release oils. Drop the peel into the drink. Add a maraschino cherry.

Daiquiri

A Daiquiri is a refreshing classic cocktail, perfect for beginners. It’s easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. This drink combines the tartness of lime juice with the sweetness of simple syrup and the smoothness of rum.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons of light or white rum
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of simple syrup
• Ice cubes

Steps to make a Daiquiri:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake well for 20-30 seconds until the shaker feels cold.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.

For an extra touch, garnish your Daiquiri with a lime twist. This adds a visual appeal and a hint of zesty aroma. If you prefer a subtle sweetness, you can experiment with demerara sugar syrup instead of simple syrup.

Whiskey Sour

A Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail, perfect for beginners. It’s simple yet flavorful.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces whiskey (bourbon works well)
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 to 3/4 ounce simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• Optional: 1 egg white (for texture)
• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
2. If using, add the egg white.
3. Shake the mixture without ice for about 30 seconds.
4. Add ice to the shaker and shake for another 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Strain the mix into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.

Garnish

• Optionally, garnish with an orange slice or a maraschino cherry.

Gin and Tonic

A Gin and Tonic is a refreshing cocktail suitable for beginners. It’s simple to prepare and requires minimal ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin
• 4 to 6 ounces tonic water
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge or slices for garnish

Instructions:

• Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
• Pour in 2 ounces of gin.
• Top with 4 to 6 ounces of tonic water.
• Stir gently to mix without losing carbonation.
• Garnish with a lime wedge or slices.

A Gin and Tonic balances the bitterness of tonic water with the botanical flavors of gin. Choose London dry gin for a straightforward taste or Plymouth for more aromatic notes. Brands like Beefeater or Bombay Sapphire are popular choices.

Feel free to adjust the gin-to-tonic ratio to suit your taste.

Mimosa

The Mimosa is a classic cocktail that blends sparkling wine and orange juice. It’s perfect for brunches and celebrations. Making a Mimosa is simple and requires just a few ingredients.

Basic Mimosa Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Orange Juice
• 3 oz Champagne or Prosecco

Instructions:

1. Pour the orange juice into a champagne flute.
2. Top off with champagne.
3. If desired, add a splash more champagne once the bubbles settle.

Mimosa Variations

You can customize your Mimosa with different juices and garnishes. Here are a few ideas:

• Cranberry Juice: For a tangy twist.
• Grapefruit Juice: Adds a slightly bitter note.
• Peach Purée: This turns your Mimosa into a Bellini.
• Pineapple Juice: For a tropical flavor.

Garnishes

• Grenadine: A splash for added sweetness and a sunrise effect.
• Fresh Herbs: Garnish with a sprig of lavender, rosemary, or sage.
• Seasonal Fruits: Muddle fruits like berries or peaches with the orange juice before mixing.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect Mimosa. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try a variation, this cocktail is sure to impress your guests.

Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary is a classic cocktail known for its savory flavors. It’s perfect for brunch or a refreshing drink. You’ll recognize this drink by its bold tomato base and spicy kick.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz tomato juice
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 1 tsp horseradish (optional)
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• Pinch of celery salt
• Pinch of black pepper

Instructions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper.
3. Shake well until the shaker frosts.

To prepare the glass, wet the rim with a lemon wedge. Roll the rim in celery salt.

Strain the mixture into the glass filled with ice. Garnish with a celery stalk and olives if desired.

A Bloody Mary is versatile. Adjust spices and ingredients to match your taste. It’s a drink that can be customized in many ways.

Manhattan

The Manhattan cocktail is a classic, elegant drink. It’s ideal for beginners due to its simplicity.

Ingredients

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 maraschino cherry (garnish)

Instructions

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
3. Stir until well-chilled.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Butter smooth and a blend of flavors. The Manhattan offers a sophisticated introduction to cocktails. The balanced mix of whiskey and vermouth creates a rich taste. It’s a perfect drink to start your journey into mixology.

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a go-to beginner cocktail. It combines vodka, ginger beer, and lime. The serving style makes it unique and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz ginger beer
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• Ice
• Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
• Copper mug or cocktail glass

Instructions:

1. Fill the Mug: Add ice to a copper mug or cocktail glass.
2. Add Vodka and Lime Juice: Pour 2 oz of vodka and ½ oz of lime juice over the ice.
3. Top with Ginger Beer: Add 4 oz of ginger beer to the mug.
4. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.

Tips:

• Always use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
• A copper mug keeps the drink colder longer.
• You can adjust the ginger beer to taste.

Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise is a classic cocktail that’s easy to make and perfect for beginners. Its beautiful color gradient emulates a sunrise, making it visually stunning.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces tequila
• 4 ounces pulp-free orange juice
• 1/2 ounce grenadine
• Ice (enough to fill a highball or Collins glass)
• Orange slice and cherry (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Fill a highball or Collins glass halfway with ice.
2. Pour in the tequila and orange juice.
3. Stir well to combine.
4. Slowly pour the grenadine into the center of the glass. Allow it to settle at the bottom for the sunrise effect.
5. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

You can experiment with the ratio of orange juice to tequila to find your preferred taste. This cocktail is well-loved for its simplicity and vibrant appearance.

Rum Punch

Rum Punch is a classic cocktail that is easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz light rum
• 1 oz dark rum
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz grenadine
• Ice
• Maraschino cherry and orange slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients: Add light rum, dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, and grenadine into a shaker with ice.
2. Shake Well: Shake until the mixture is well-chilled.
3. Strain: Strain the mix into a Hurricane glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Garnish: Garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.

Tips:

• Use fresh juices for the best flavor.
• Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less grenadine.
• Experiment with different types of rum for a unique taste.