What's full of showstopping flavour, is easy to make, and might not even necessitate a stop at the off licence to procure its limited ingredient list? Why, these cocktails that clock in at a mere three ingredients (or fewer), of course! Keep reading for the simplest inspiration to streamline your cocktail hour, whether your tastes run toward that which is light and floral (the Hummingbird), robust and indulgent (a Guinness milkshake), or something in between. Cheers!
Grapefruit Shandy
For day drinking, you can do no better than a grapefruit shandy [1], a low-octane concoction of grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and beer.
Gingersnap Cocktail
Cuddle up by the (real or imaginary) fireplace with a sweet but not cloying tipple [2] sourced from David Chang's famed Momofuku Ko.
Sparkling Lillet Grapefruit Cocktail
This Champagne cocktail [3] is refreshing and pretty to look at, so try it with your next fancy brunch.
Homemade Butterbeer
This Harry Potter-inspired drink [4] is rich, warm, and tasty — one might even call it magical.
Vesper Martini
James Bond's preferred style of martini, the Vesper [5], includes Lillet as well as vodka and gin.
Easy Mint Julep
Sipping on this refreshing Southern cocktail [6] will instantly inspire visions of the Kentucky Derby.
Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
Ruby-coloured, undeniably festive, and not too sweet, this pomegranate take on the Kir Royale [7] — a classic Champagne and Chambord concoction — is sure to turn heads.
Guinness Milkshake
Will a frothy Guinness milkshake [8] get you tipsy? Probably not, but that's hardly the point with a drink this luscious.
Martini
Can you imagine a better drink for Mad Men [9] marathons than a martini [10]?
Cognac Sparkler
For a light apéritif, try a cognac sparkler [11], which owes its golden hue to cognac and sparkling apple cider.
Gin and It
Gin and It [12] is a simple yet complex-flavoured concoction of gin and Italian vermouth (get it?). To cut through this sweet and strong cocktail, add a lemon wedge or twist as a garnish.
Grapefruit Mimosa
For a bittersweet spin on the classic mimosa [13], pair zesty freshly squeezed grapefruit juice with Champagne.
Aperol Spritz
This Aperol spritz recipe [14] is like Fanta all grown up.
Salty Dog
The salted rim on this cousin of the Greyhound cocktail [15] serves double-duty by providing visual interest and reining in grapefruit juice's bitter flavour [16].
Coffee Martini
Combine two favourite drinks (coffee and vodka) into one drink, the coffee martini [17].
Hibiscus Sparkling Wine Cocktail
It only takes two ingredients to make this beautiful floral cocktail [18], but it's sure to impress any guest!
Dark and Stormy
Robust dark rum plays nicely with tangy lime juice and fiery ginger beer for a low-fuss, high-impact cocktail [19].
Pared-Down Margarita
Throw away the sweet-and-sour mix and any notions you might have of cloyingly sweet, hangover-inducing margaritas, and instead shake up a pared-down and oh-so-refreshing version [20] sourced from a much-lauded San Francisco tequila bar.
Mango-Grapefruit Mimosa
Add a tropical twist to your favourite brunch cocktail with this mango-grapefruit mimosa [21] recipe.
Cranberry-Infused Vermouth Martini
While this cranberry-studded stunner [22] requires some (minor) advance planning in order to infuse the vermouth with cranberry flavour, it's quite easy to construct, and is well worth the minimal foresight involved.
Hummingbird
Delicate like the eponymous bird, the Hummingbird [23] requires little but St. Germain, Champagne, and lemonade (though a lemon twist can't hurt).
Gimlet
Take a card out of Katy Perry [24]'s book by sipping on some gin and juice . . . lime juice, that is! This classic green Gimlet [25] is the perfect cocktail for any occasion.
Negroni
This Negroni cocktail [26] is made with a touch of a bittersweet aperitif that will grow on you with every sip.
Classic Mimosa
Few drinks bring to mind the phrase "if it ain't broke . . ." than the classic mimosa [27] (or bucks fizz), which clocks in at a mere two ingredients. Although, if you don't feel like taking advice from trite idioms, a splash of Grand Marnier in each glass certainly won't hurt.
Stinger
Sourced from a classic cocktail bible, The Savoy Cocktail Book, the Stinger [28] is a two-ingredient stunner that's most at home as a postmeal drink.
Irish Whiskey Highball
It doesn't get much simpler or more satisfying than a concoction of Irish whiskey, ginger ale, and a lemon twist [29].
Grapefruit St. Germain Champagne Cocktail
Floral St. Germain liqueur balances out bittersweet grapefruit juice in this bright and fruity Champagne cocktail [30].
Cranberry Vodka Cocktail
The old-fashioned meets cranberry vodka in this classic cocktail-inspired drink [31], and it's a glorious reunion indeed.
Tinto de Verano
This red wine spritzer [32] is an inexpensive Spanish version of sangria, so it's a great option for party drinks.
Redheaded Ginger
If you're looking for a drink that's fruity, complex, and satisfying, this Lillet Rouge cocktail [33] is the perfect pick.
French Martini
Try this twist on the classic martini [34] with a hint of raspberry.
Kir Royale Cocktail
It doesn't get any easier than this two-ingredient kir royale cocktail. [35]
Caipirinha Cocktail
Check out this easy and delicious recipe for "Brazil's naughtiest cocktail," the caipirinha. [36] It's delicious, even if you can't pronounce it!
