3 Ingredient Cocktails to maximse your drinks cabinet

Sidecar

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail that has stood the test of time, embodying the elegance and sophistication of the early 20th century. With its harmonious blend of cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice, it delivers a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and bold flavors. Its origins are often debated, but its status as a staple in cocktail culture is undisputed.

Ingredients

• 50 ml Cognac
• 25 ml Cointreau
• 25 ml Lemon juice

How to Make

1. Add the Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist or a sugared rim, if desired.

Dark and Stormy

The Dark and Stormy is a quintessentially tropical cocktail that combines the rich, molasses notes of dark rum with the zesty spice of ginger beer. A splash of fresh lime juice adds a touch of citrus, making this drink a refreshing and slightly spicy choice for any occasion. Originating from Bermuda, it’s a perfect representation of island flavors.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Dark rum
• 150 ml Ginger beer
• 10 ml Lime juice

How to Make:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour the dark rum over the ice.
3. Top up with ginger beer.
4. Squeeze in fresh lime juice and stir gently.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge if desired.

French Martini

The French Martini is a sophisticated and fruity cocktail that stands out with its vibrant color and rich flavors. Combining vodka with Chambord, a raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice, it offers a sweet, tropical twist on the traditional martini. It’s perfect for elegant occasions or simply as a treat.

Ingredients

• 50 ml Vodka
• 25 ml Chambord
• 50 ml Pineapple juice

How to Make

1. Garnish with a fresh raspberry or pineapple slice.
2. Add the vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake well until the mixture is chilled and frothy.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Rusty Nail

The Rusty Nail is a robust and straightforward cocktail that showcases the depth of flavor in Scotch whisky, complemented by the sweet and herbal notes of Drambuie. This drink, with its simplicity and balance, is ideal for those who enjoy a classic, spirit-forward libation.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Scotch whisky
• 25 ml Drambuie
• Ice

How to Make:

1. Fill a rocks glass with ice.
2. Pour the Scotch whisky and Drambuie over the ice.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist, if desired.

Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail, known for its refreshing and tangy flavor profile. Made with cachaça, lime, and sugar, it’s a simple yet incredibly satisfying drink that highlights the zesty citrus and smooth spirit of Brazil’s most famous liquor.

Ingredients

• 50 ml Cachaça
• 1 Lime, cut into wedges
• 2 tsp Sugar

How to Make

1. Muddle the lime wedges with sugar in a glass to release the juice and dissolve the sugar.
2. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
3. Pour the cachaça over the ice.
4. Stir well to mix and chill.
5. Garnish with additional lime wedges if desired.

Bee’s Knees

The Bee’s Knees is a Prohibition-era cocktail that combines gin with honey syrup and lemon juice to create a smooth, sweet, and tangy drink. Its name is a nod to the 1920s slang for “the best,” and it certainly lives up to that reputation with its delightful flavor balance.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Gin
• 25 ml Honey syrup
• 25 ml Lemon juice

How to Make:

1. Add the gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist or a honey drizzle if desired.

Stinger

The Stinger is a classic digestif that pairs the smooth, warming qualities of brandy with the cool, minty flavor of crème de menthe. It’s a simple yet effective cocktail that’s perfect for relaxing after a meal.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Brandy
• 25 ml Crème de menthe
• Ice

How to Make:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the brandy and crème de menthe.
3. Stir well until chilled.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a mint leaf if desired

Jack Rose

The Jack Rose is a classic American cocktail with a distinctive flavor profile that combines applejack (apple brandy), lemon juice, and grenadine. It offers a balanced mix of sweet and tart, making it a refreshing and elegant choice.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Applejack
• 25 ml Lemon juice
• 15 ml Grenadine

How to Make:

1. Add the applejack, lemon juice, and grenadine into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry if desired.

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a refreshing and zesty cocktail that has become a modern classic. Known for its distinctive copper mug and spicy ginger beer, it combines vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer for a crisp and invigorating drink.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Vodka
• 150 ml Ginger beer
• 10 ml Lime juice

How to Make:

1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
2. Add the vodka and lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig if desired.

Gimlet

The Gimlet is a classic cocktail known for its simplicity and clarity of flavor. Combining gin with lime juice and simple syrup, it delivers a balanced blend of tartness and sweetness, making it a timeless choice for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Gin
• 25 ml Lime juice
• 15 ml Simple syrup

How to Make:

1. Add the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well until chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel or twist if desired.