It’s nice to have some tasty cocktails in your repertoire, whether you are entertaining guests or simply enjoying the company of yourself and your friends. This classic ice drink alcohol is time-honored for a reason.

You can easily make a mojito during the summer or use cachaca, lime juice and ice to create a refreshing cocktail for brunch.

Screwdriver

The Screwdriver has become a staple of college parties, brunches and other gatherings. It’s easy and quick to make. This classic recipe combines vodka and orange juice for a refreshing drink that you can sip on all summer long. If you like the idea of a tasty cocktail, but want to take it up a notch, try adding a splash of flavored syrup. You can transform a bourbon cocktail into a black forest delight by adding a triple dose of Goldschlager, a cinnamon schnapps, and some mini marshmallows.

If you’re a fan of whiskey, try this cocktail that takes your favorite liquor and adds a little bit of absinthe for a rich and exotic drink that’s perfect for special occasions. This cocktail is surprisingly easy to prepare and has a luscious flavor.

When a drink’s name is as unique as its flavor, you’ve got to give it a try. This gin-based drink is a cross between a sour and a martini that’s sweet, creamy, and fruity all at once.

This refreshing drink is the perfect way to use up your last summer’s berries. It’s made with a mix of bourbon, fresh lemon juice, the fruity liqueur cranberry and raspberry, and agave nectar to make a cocktail that’s both sweet and tart. For those who don’t drink hard alcohol, a non-alcoholic version is available. It’s just as delicious. And for guests who are teetotalers, it’s a great way to kick off Dry January or Sober October. Every item we feature on our site has been independently selected by our editors. When you buy through our retail link, we may earn a commission.

Mojito

A mojito is a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for enjoying in the sun. It is also a classic drink that can be enjoyed at home. For this drink, you’ll need rum, lime juice, mint leaves, simple syrup, and crushed ice. You’ll need a muddler as well, which is an essential bartending tool used to crush herbs and fruits to release their flavors. If you don’t have one, you can use the end of a wooden spoon instead. To make the syrup, combine sugar and water equal parts in a small pan and heat it over medium heat until the liquid dissolves. Let the mixture cool.

To make a mojito, put the mint leaves and the simple syrup in a highball. The ingredients should be lightly muddled. You can also add the rum and lime juice to the shaker and give it a quick shake, then strain into the glass over fresh ice. Garnish the drink with a lime wheel and a mint sprig. If you want to take your mojito to the next level, try using pebble ice instead of regular ice and gently swizzle the mixture in the glass.

The exact origins of a mojito are murky, as with many other cocktails. The most popular story is about Sir Francis Drake. He was a hero to the English, but a ruthless pirate for the Spanish. In the 16th century he and his crew suffered dysentery and scurvy so they sent a small team to Cuba to find cures. They returned with a beverage made of tafia, aguardiente de cana (firewater of the sugar cane, which is rum’s ancestor), mint and limes that eventually evolved into the mojito.

Sidecar

The Sidecar is a classic and elegant cocktail which will never go out-of-style. It is one of the world’s most famous Cognac Cocktails. The Sidecar is a simple cocktail with only three ingredients. It’s a descendant of the more ornate Brandy Crusta. The sugared rim adds just the right amount of sweetness to this tart drink, which is usually made with just Cognac and orange liqueur. Although it is not uncommon to use bourbon instead of Cognac, the taste of the drink will be ruined if you do.

A good cognac and an orange liqueur based on brandy are the key to making a great Sidecar. Cointreau works well, but you can also use other high-quality triple secs. The type of lemon juice you use also makes a difference; if possible, squeeze your own fresh lemon juice for the best results.

Whether or not you garnish the drink is entirely up to you, but it’s recommended. The sweet rim helps to add complexity to the drink and balances its sharpness. Some people like to add a shot or two of Cognac to the Sidecar. It’s called a Sidecar shooter, and it can be very effective.

Apple Tequila

This tequila cocktail is sweet and tart, with hints of apple and lime. The pretty green hue of this sour apple pucker cocktail makes it eye-catching and perfect for parties, St Patrick’s celebrations or Halloween!

Fill a cocktail shaker with ALL ingredients EXCEPT Sprite, and shake for 6-8 secs. Strain into a highball glass or martini glass. Garnish the drink with thin apple slices and lime wedges.

If you don’t happen to have Sprite, you can substitute it for Lemon-Lime soda. You can also use lime-flavored seltzer. You can adjust the strength of the sour drink by increasing or reducing the amount of tequila. The agave is added to sweeten and balance the apple juice’s sourness. However, it can also be omitted or replaced by sugar.

Pour this easy apple-tequila drink, combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaking glass and shake until the glass is cold to touch. Pour into a cocktail cup over ice. Garnish with thin apple and lime slices, if desired.

This delicious cocktail can be made vegan by using organic tequila such as Patron. You can make this tequila beverage gluten-free using gluten-free Vodka.

Pour the tequila into a shaker, and add ice. Shake until the shaker is cold to the touch. Strain into a tall glass over ice and garnish with lime wedges if desired. To create a festive look, coat the rim of every glass with cinnamon or salt. You could also add a twist and turn the tequila drink into an Apple Cider Margarita, which would be perfect for Autumn-themed dinners!

Gin & Honey

The Bees Knees, a bright, springy cocktail, is easy to prepare. It’s also delicious and is perfect for enjoying on a nice, sunny day. This cocktail is an adaptation of the classic Gin Sour, which is topped by honey and lemon juice. It is believed that the drink was created during prohibition when ingredients like citrus and honey were used to mask the taste and smell from the bathtub gin, which was commonly used at the time.

This cocktail is quick and easy to prepare. The key to this drink is the honey syrup. It’s simple to make, but it is important that you use a good quality honey (try clover or wildflower) for best results. Low-quality honey can result in an bitter cocktail. Honey syrup can easily be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just remember to bring it to room temperature before making your cocktails!

To make the Bees Knees, add gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill two-thirds of the shaker with ice, and shake until well chilled. Strain into a glass and garnish with a twist of lemon. Top with soda water if desired for an extra fizz.

The Bees Knees makes a great choice for those who avoid refined sugar. It uses a honey simple syrup that is easy to make and has a lot of sweetness, but not too much. It will still taste great if you substitute vodka for the gin. The honey is a great way to give this cocktail a bit of local flair, and it’s sure to please anyone who loves the flavors of a good gin!