17 Cocktails for Beginners: Easy Recipes to Mix at Home

Welcome to the exciting (and tasty) guide to cocktails for beginners. This is a space that’s full of flavor, fun, and experimentation. If you’ve ever looked at a cocktail menu and felt a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Fortunately, we’re here to tell you that you don’t need a fancy bar setup, a vast liquor cabinet, or a bartending qualification to start shaking things up at home. 

This easy guide will take you through the basics. You’ll find simple recipes, a list of must-have tools (and some clever swaps), a few pro techniques, and a selection of classic beginner-friendly drinks grouped by style. Ready to get mixing? You’ve got this! 

5 Essential cocktail tools for beginners 

You don’t need a full bar cart to enjoy mixology for beginners, just a few key tools and a sense of adventure. Here are five basic tools every newbie should have on hand: 

• Shaker: A Boston or cobbler shaker is great, but if you don’t have one, a clean mason jar with a lid works in a pinch. 
• Jigger: This is for measuring liquors, but you can use a shot glass or measuring spoon if you’re in a jam. 
• Strainer: Hawthorne strainers are great, but the lid of your shaker or a fine mesh tea strainer will get the job done. 
• Bar spoon: Great for stirred cocktails. If you’re starting out, a chopstick or long spoon will do.
• Citrus juicer: When a recipe calls for it, fresh juice is essential. If you don’t have a handheld juicer, go old-school and squeeze by hand—just be sure to strain out the seeds. 

TOP TIP! Once you’ve made a few cocktails, you’ll start to see which tools you actually use. Upgrade your kit bit by bit—but remember there’s always a substitute to be found.  

Key techniques every beginner should know

When you learn how to mix drinks, the three main ways of cocktail-making you need to master: building, stirring, and shaking. Along with muddling and straining, these techniques lay the groundwork for nearly every cocktail you’ll make, and once you’ve got them down, the rest comes a lot more naturally.  

• Building a cocktail. To build a cocktail simply means combining the ingredients straight in the serving glass (e.g. when pouring a Tequila Sunrise), a mixing glass when the drink is stirred (e.g., a Manhattan), or a cocktail shaker when it’s shaken (e.g., a Daiquiri). 

• Stirring a cocktail. Stirring may seem simple, but it takes a careful hand. Use a long-stemmed bar spoon and aim to chill and dilute the drink gently, without creating bubbles or cloudiness. This is how you get a clear, smooth finish. Stirring is most often used for spirit-forward cocktails like a Negroni. 

• Wet shaking, done with ice, is the most common way to shake. Add your ingredients to the shaker, fill it two-thirds with ice, seal it tightly, and shake hard for 15–30 seconds. You’ll know it’s ready when the outside of the shaker is frosty.  

• Dry shaking, done without ice, is typically used for cocktails featuring cream or egg whites as ingredients. The goal here is to emulsify and aerate the ingredients to create texture. Once shaken, you’ll usually follow up with a wet shake to chill and dilute.  

• Muddling a cocktail. Muddling means gently pressing herbs, fruit, or sugar at the bottom of a glass to release flavor before adding the rest of the ingredients. It’s not about smashing things to bits—a soft twist and press is enough. A Mojito is a great example of a cocktail that starts with muddling. 

• Straining a cocktail. Straining comes into play after shaking or stirring. It’s the step that keeps ice chips, seeds, or bits of herbs out of your glass. Most shakers have built-in strainers, but you can also use a Hawthorne, Julep or fine mesh strainer, depending on the drink. You’ll use this step often when making anything from a Margarita to a Bloody Mary. 

Cocktail Making 101: 9 Tips for Beginners to Perfect Your Craft 

15 Easy cocktails for beginners (grouped by style)

Shaken cocktails

These cocktails are lively, typically citrus-forward, and some of the easiest cocktail recipes that new bartenders can master at the start:  

1. Margarita

A tequila classic that packs a citrusy punch with just the right balance of sweet and sour. The traditional Lime Margarita blends blanco tequila with freshly squeezed lime juice and a splash of orange liqueur. Grand Marnier’s smooth orange notes work beautifully here, and Espolòn adds a clean, agave-forward base. Served over ice with a salted rim and a lime wedge, it’s bold, bright, and always a crowd-pleaser. 

Learn more: 36 Easy Summer Cocktails That Impress Your Guests 

2. Daiquiri

This isn’t the frozen, sugary version you might be picturing. A well-made Daiquiri is all about simplicity and sharp balance. White rum, lime juice, and simple syrup is shaken with ice and strained into a coupé glass to create a crisp, tart, and surprisingly elegant drink. 

3. Whiskey Sour

This cocktail brings together the warmth of whiskey, the zing of lemon, and the smooth sweetness of syrup in perfect harmony. The Whiskey Sour is a reliable go-to for beginners because it shows off the base liquor while keeping things light and approachable thanks to the addition of an egg white. This calls for an initial dry shake, without ice, to aerate the ingredients, and a wet shake, with the addition of ice thereafter, to get the drink nice and cool. Together, these methods yield a silky-smooth drink with a lot of pizzazz.  

Also see: 12 Honey Syrup Cocktails that Zing with Sweetness & Flavor  

4. Cosmopolitan

The best beginner cocktails are normally on the sweeter end of the spectrum since they are so effortless to enjoy. For the best Cosmopolitan recipe, you will need citrus-infused vodka, orange liqueur, lime and cranberry juice, and an orange peel to garnish. These ingredients blend well together, setting the scene for a delicious drink that has a little citrusy sweetness balanced by the lovely sharpness of the lime. 

5. Piña Colada

One of the best easy cocktails to make at home, a Piña Colada is a delicious tropical treat that tastes like an island breeze, infused with the heady scent of pineapple and coconut. When blended, the texture is like a smoothie. Over ice, it’s rich, thick, and lovely from start to finish. 

Tasty pairings: A Beginners Guide to Cocktail and Appetizer Pairings That Impress 

Stirred cocktails

Ideal for those who like liquor-forward, aromatic drinks. 

6. Negroni

The Negroni cocktail will always feature on any list of basic cocktails to know, and with good reason: it’s extremely popular and quite easy to prepare. Made with one part gin, one part Cinzano Vermouth Rosso, and one part Campari, it is garnished with a pretty orange peel and considered an aperitivo (which means it’s typically enjoyed before dinner). Simple to make, and classy to the core. 

7. Old Fashioned

Even though the Old Fashioned originated in the late 1800s, the ingredients haven’t changed much. You still only need your favorite whiskey or bourbon, sugar, bitters, and water to create this iconic, amber-colored drink that conjures up images of leather armchairs, smoky gentlemen’s clubs, and scenes from Mad Men. 

Cheers, dears: 9 Delicious 3-Ingredient Cocktails You Can Make in Minutes 

8. Manhattan

The classic Manhattan contains whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, which means it’s actually quite similar to an Old Fashioned. It is, however, a fair amount less sweet, with a bitter profile and herbal undertones, so go with this one if you like a stronger cocktail. 

9. Gin Martini

The Gin Martini recipe calls for three basic ingredients: gin, vermouth, and a splash of bitters, if you prefer. The gin sets a cool, smooth stage for the vermouth and bitters to take a bow. Vermouth adds a subtly sweet and spicy lift with a hint of bitterness, and this ties in nicely with the clove and cinnamon that underpin the bold taste of the bitters.  

10. Dirty Martini

It is said that the Dirty Martini recipe had its origins in New York in 1901 when bartender John O’Connor decided to take the olive garnish of the Classic Martini one step further. At first, the olive was muddled into the drink, but today we simply add a splash of olive brine. This is added to gin or vodka and dry vermouth. The Dirty Martini is one of those basic cocktails that delivers a surprising depth of flavor with minimal ingredients. 

Built-in-glass cocktails

Great for beginners: no shaking, no stress. These are simple cocktails to make at home with minimal fuss. 

11. Aperol Spritz

The delightful Aperol Spritz is a sip of Italian summer in a glass. Golden orange like a sunset over calm waters, it’s made using the classic 3-2-1 method: 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part club soda. Serve it in a wine glass filled with ice and garnish with a slice of orange. It’s really as simple as that. 

12. Tequila Sunrise

This one’s all about visual flair and simplicity. The Tequila Sunrise layers tequila with orange juice and grenadine to create a drink that looks like (you guessed it!) a sunrise in a glass. To get that layered effect, pour the tequila and orange juice into an ice-filled glass first, then slowly drizzle the grenadine down the side; it will sink and settle at the bottom on its own. Garnish with a slice of orange or a cherry, and you’re good to go. 

13. Cuba Libre

Sometimes you just want something easy that hits the spot. Enter the Cuba Libre:  rum and Coke that gets dressed up with a good squeeze of fresh lime. This added citrus turns a basic highball into a satisfying classic. It’s quick, affordable, and endlessly sippable, making it a solid win for new home bartenders. 

14. Moscow Mule

A classic cocktail with a long history, the Moscow Mule surprisingly hails from 1940s New York, not Russia. It blends vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer in a copper mug for an extra cold and zesty drink. Mint leaves and lime wedges often finish it off, making this spicy, fizzy drink feel extra fresh, even in a regular glass. 

15. Mojito

The Mojito is pretty as a picture and great for lazy summer days on your patio. It’s a muddled cocktail made by gently crushing fresh mint, lime wedges, and sugar (or simple syrup) to release their flavor, then adding white rum and topping it all off with soda water. Fizzy, minty, and bright, it pairs beautifully with summery dishes like prawns, shrimp, and fish tacos. 

16. Bloody Mary

The classic Bloody Mary recipe could not be simpler to prepare. Fair enough, the ingredients list is fairly long – it contains vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pickle juice, salt, pepper and paprika (optional) – but most of these are actually pantry staples. Plus, the assembly isn’t too finicky. You simply shake it up with ice (twice if you’re feeling fancy) and strain it into a glass.   

17. Long Island Iced Tea

Cocktail trends come and go, but the Long Island Iced Tea recipe has endured the test of time. This legendary party drink is made with vodka, white rum, tequila, gin, orange liqueur, sour mix, and a splash of cola. Despite its long ingredient list, it’s easy to build in a Collins glass. The result? A smooth, balanced drink that goes down easy, which is why it’s been a staple in American bars for decades. 

4 Top tips for beginner mixologists

Don’t be daunted. Keep these four tips in mind when you settle in behind the shaker the first few times, and you’ll be sure to get the hang of it in no time at all:  

1. Don’t overcomplicate things. With starter cocktails, balance is everything. Sweet, sour, and strong should always be in harmony. 
2. Use the freshest ingredients you can find. Fresh citrus, good liquors, and even quality ice can make a noticeable difference. 
3. Taste as you go. Once you’ve added your base ingredients, take a small sip before you shake or stir. Is it too tart? Add a touch more syrup. Too sweet? A little more citrus might do the trick. Getting comfortable with tasting and tweaking will teach you how different ingredients play together, and how to adjust based on your own preferences or what you know your guests will enjoy. 
4. Keep experimenting. You don’t need to get it right the first time. Try, tweak and repeat, but most of all, enjoy the ride.  

Stocking your first home bar

You don’t need dozens of bottles. Start with these essentials; with just a few bottles, you’ll be able to make a surprising number of classic drinks. 

• Base liquors: Vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, and whiskey 

• Liqueurs: Start with a small selection including versatile options like Aperol, Campari, and Grand Marnier 

• Mixers: Club soda, tonic water, citrus fruits, sugar syrup, and bitters 

Still wondering what cocktails to start with? Pick one from each style above and give it a go. Maybe you’ll love the citrusy punch of a Margarita, the smooth simplicity of an Old Fashioned, or the laid-back charm of a Cuba Libre.  In the end, great cocktails for beginners come down to confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to taste your way forward. You’ve got this. Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the Mix, and visit the SKYY Vodka, Bulldog Gin, and Espolòn Tequila websites for more recipe inspiration.