Best After-Work Cocktails to Unwind in Style

There’s a specific moment at the end of the workday when everything shifts. You release your vice grip on the mouse, and the laptop clicks shut. Work clothes are swapped for comfort, and your mind wanders off in search of something bitter and refreshing. After-work cocktails signal to your brain that the day is over and it’s time to chill.  

The best simple cocktails at home ignore flash and perfect pours for the Gram. Think effortless rituals built on simple serves with bold flavors. They’re designed for weeknights and help you unwind without turning your evening into a mixology project. 

What makes a great after-work drink? 

Great after-work cocktails can be summed up in two words: flavor and simplicity. Forget laundry lists of obscure ingredients, fancy tools, and showmanship. We’re talking cocktails that require no more effort than a few quick pours over ice and a stir (you can even use your finger—we won’t tell anyone).  

This type of low-effort cocktail leans into the realm of spirit-forward rather than something cloyingly sweet. After a long day, balanced bitterness and pronounced flavors are far more satisfying—especially before dinner. No one knows this better than the Italians. They’ve built an entire aperitivo culture around it.   

This cocktail is your reward, and it deserves to be savored, while also respecting the fact that it’s a random Tuesday night.  

Why spirit-forward cocktails work so well after work  

Spirit-forward cocktails are perfect for unwinding. They invite you to sip, savor, and pause. It’s a simple cocktail ritual that sets the tone of your relaxation routine. The bitter flavors of Campari are fundamental to your mood shift. Robust orange, earthy herbs, and punchy spices set off a cascade of dopamine fireworks in your brain while stimulating your appetite.  

Campari-based cocktails also pair excellently with food, turning any dinner into an elevated experience. There’s also a mental benefit to having a solid rotation of easy cocktails. The simple, spirit-forward recipes mean there are no complicated measurements or instructional videos to follow. Just minimal effort for maximum bittersweet satisfaction.  

Quick and easy cocktails to make at home  

With just a few ingredients, you can whip up an entire range of simple cocktails at home, every night of the week.  

Negroni  

The mighty Negroni is the gold standard for after-work drinks. With equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin, it’s simple, elegant, and endlessly reliable. It’s bold without being aggressive and gorgeously layered and complex. A well-made Negroni is pure sipping pleasure for a minimal amount of work. 

Campari provides backbone and bitterness, gin brings herbal freshness and spice, and sweet vermouth rounds it off with richness, warmth, and subtle fruitiness. Build it in the glass, stir it slowly, and finish with an orange twist. It’s aperitivo royalty and one of the easiest cocktails to make. 

Campari and Soda  

When you want a ridiculously refreshing drink in hand in record time, reach for Campari and Soda. This iconic mix may seem simple, but like all cocktails, there are a few easy tricks to make it even better. Always keep your Campari and soda in the fridge. The colder the ingredients, the slower your ice will melt, keeping the flavors bolder and brighter for longer. For extra flavor oomph, add a dash of lemon juice to the mix.  

Campari’s orange notes are front and center, while the soda lifts the bitterness with every sip. It’s a masterclass in synergy, and few drinks do more with less. To build it, pour 2 oz or 60 ml of Campari into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda, give it a light stir, then garnish with an orange or lemon slice, and enjoy pure bitter refreshment.   

Americano  

Bond made the Martini famous, but the Americano was 007’s first-ever drink order in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale. With added sweet vermouth, it’s a step up from the Campari and Soda classic. The Campari and sweet vermouth bounce off each other, creating a contrast of bitterness and sweetness that’s brought to life by the effervescent soda. It’s complex and layered yet effortlessly refreshing with a lingering bite. 

The Americano is also relatively low-ABV, making it the perfect after-work drink that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Pop your sweet vermouth into the fridge alongside the Campari and soda, and you’re ready to pour when you clock off for the day.  

Boulevardier  

If you’re looking for a cocktail that feels like you should be unwinding in a comfortable leather chair with your feet up, reach for a Boulevardier. This classic cocktail from the roaring 20s is similar to a Negroni, but instead of bracing gin, it features warming bourbon. It’s big and bold, and every sip envelops your taste buds in a smooth bourbon bear hug. 

Campari provides a bitter foil for the sweet and spicy bourbon, while the sweet vermouth adds an herbaceous undertone. Stir the liquids over ice and strain into a coupe glass or serve it on the rocks. It’s a punchy, spirit-forward cocktail that will chase away the stress of a busy workday. 

Garibaldi  

Simplicity done well is always delicious, and the Garibaldi is the perfect example. With just two ingredients, it’s bright, refreshing, and surprisingly sophisticated. It has a unique fluffy texture, which is achieved by blitzing fresh orange juice in a blender before pouring it over Campari on ice. A gentle stir brings it all together, and the result is an easy weeknight cocktail that feels playful and fresh.  

The recipe is a tribute to the unification of Italy and is named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, who played a key role. Campari represents the north and brings its usual bouquet of bitter orange, warm spice, and herbal depth, while fresh orange juice represents the south, adding sweetness and sun-kissed freshness that balances the drink. Simply blitz, pour, stir and enjoy. 

Campari Spritz  

When you want to kick off aperitivo hour faster than you can say, ‘Cin cin!’, reach for a Campari Spritz. It’s a low-effort cocktail that’s huge on flavor with no overthinking required. The bubbly bite of Prosecco, the bitter hit of Campari, and the lightness of soda come together to deliver a drink that feels refreshing and social even if it’s just you and your cat, Lil Cat-pari. 

To take things to the next level, break out a bowl of marinated olives while you order a pizza from your favorite Italian restaurant and live la dolce vita on a school night! 

How to make cocktails after work feel effortless  

Effortless doesn’t mean careless, and with a few simple preparations, you’ll always be ready for happy hour. Keep your favorite bottles visible or, better yet, chilled and ready to go. Find yourself a few good-quality glasses, like a rocks glass, a highball and a big wine glass for spritzes. Ice is non-negotiable, so keep those ice trays filled or have a dedicated ice drawer in your freezer.  

For the planners among us, prebatching is your secret weapon. Mix up a batch of Negroni or Boulevardier ahead of time and keep it chilled. Every time you open the fridge and pour a ready-to-go cocktail, you’ll thank yourself for thinking ahead. The trick to after-work drinks is not perfection. Instead, aim for balance and ease of execution. If it tastes good and helps you chill, you’ve nailed it. 

Make Campari part of your weeknight routine  

We humans are creatures of habit, and the best weeknight cocktail habits are the ones you actually enjoy. With just one bottle of Campari, you open a world of tasty cocktail options. It works across seasons, with long, refreshing highballs in the summer and shorter, more intense serves in the cooler months. Whatever the mood, there’s a Campari cocktail to match. 

Looking for more Campari goodness? Explore our Campari recipes and articles (opens in new window) to learn more about the mythical red Italian bitter. Visit Campari’s website (opens in new window) for even more aperitivo fun, but before you go, sign up for our newsletter (opens in new window) for all things cocktails and drinkspiration.