It’s easy to think that a killer cocktail requires a laundry list of ingredients. But when you look into it, some of our most iconic cocktails are liable to just 3 ingredients: the Martini, the Marg, the Negroni! We’ve all heard the saying ‘less is more’ and when it comes to making effective at home solutions, this wisdom rather reigns supreme. That’s not to say that more complex and emerging cocktails aren’t worth anyone’s time, nor is it to undermine your cocktail making prowess, but when it comes to whipping up cocktails for your guests, sometimes sticking to the brilliantly simple recipes that never miss freeing you from being trapped behind the bar all night, giving you more time to host and most importantly enjoy. We deliver to you a compilation of almost deceivingly easy, but no less punchy, 3-ingredient cocktails that are perfect for our fellow hosting fiends out there. These timeless, three-ingredient cocktails insist that you don’t need a fully stocked bar or garish techniques to create cocktails that excite.
Vesper Martini
Stir with ice until well-chilled and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
- 2 parts Gin
- 1 part Vodka
- 1/2 part Lillet Blanc
Born out of “Casino Royale,” the Vesper Martini exemplifies how 3 ingredients come together to make something as sophisticated as it is iconic. The combination of gin and vodka creates a smooth yet complex base, while Lillet Blanc adds subtle sweetness and herbal notes. It’s a stronger, more aromatic alternative to the classic martini.
Margarita
Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed rocks glass or margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
- 2 parts Tequila
- 1 part Lime juice
- 3/4 part Orange liqueur
Our first Latin American contender perfectly balances the earthy, vegetal notes of good tequila with bright citrus and the subtle orange flavour of triple sec. The perfect showcase of how bitter meets refreshing, with a salt rim adding a grit and umami element that somehow makes each sip better than the last. A properly made margarita, with the right proportions and a well-chilled glass, needs nothing more to achieve cocktail perfection.
Gimlet
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
- 2 parts Gin
- 3/4 part Lime juice
- 3/4 part Simple syrup
Originally created as a way to prevent scurvy among British sailors, the Gimlet has evolved past it’s naval duties and sailed smoothly into the bar scene. The botanical complexity of gin meets the bright acidity of lime juice, while simple syrup rounds everything out. It’s crisp, clean, and endlessly refreshing
Mint Julep
Gently muddle mint leaves with simple syrup in a julep cup. Fill halfway with crushed ice, add bourbon, and stir until the cup frosts. Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig.
- 2 parts Bourbon
- 1/2 part Simple syrup
- Mint leaves (a handful or 8-10 leaves)
Traditionally served in a frosted silver cup during the Kentucky Derby, the combination of bourbon’s caramel and vanilla notes with cooling mint and subtle sweetness creates a refreshing yet complex drink. With minimal intervention, bourbon is transformed by the discretion of Mint, which holds an essential role in enhancing its flavour. If you haven’t already, it’s certainly one to try, and makes for an incredibly easy soiree sipper.
Caipirinha
Muddle lime wedges and sugar in a rocks glass. Add cachaça and fill with ice. Stir briefly to combine.
- 2 parts Cachaça
- 1 part Lime wedges
- 1/2 part Sugar
Brazil’s national cocktail showcases cachaça, a spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane juice. The raw sugar draws out the oils from the lime as you muddle, creating a drink that’s simultaneously tart, sweet, and complex. The rustic preparation method allows the unique grassy notes of cachaça to shine through in a way that is utterly refreshing.
Manhattan
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a cocktail cherry or orange twist.
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Born in the Manhattan Club of New York City in the 1870s, the Manhattan has endured for over 150 years as one of cocktail culture’s most significant creations. It’s spawned countless variations yet remains one of the most distinct and sophisticated whiskey cocktails today. Spicy rye whiskey harmonises with herbaceous sweet vermouth, while Angostura bitters add depth and ties it all up neatly.
The Negroni
Stir with ice and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange peel.
- 1 part Gin
- 1 part Campari
- 1 part Sweet vermouth
This Italian classic is the epitome of perfect balance. The botanical notes of gin complement the bitter-sweet complexity of Campari, while sweet vermouth adds depth and rounds out the edges. The result is sophisticated, complex, and far greater than the sum of its parts.
Bee’s Knees
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Optional lemon twist garnish.
- 2 parts Gin
- 3/4 part Fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 part Honey syrup
This Prohibition-era cocktail uses honey syrup (simply honey diluted with equal parts hot water) to add a floral sweetness that elevates the botanical notes in the gin. The bright lemon juice brings everything into perfect balance.
These cocktails veterans prove that the key to success lies in not only knowing exactly what to include but (and perhaps more importantly), what to leave out. From the bracing sophistication of the Vesper Martini to the rustic charm of the Caipirinha, each of these classics demonstrates the power of restraint and precision in mixology. When ingredients are thoughtfully selected and properly balanced, three elements are all you need to create drinks that can win a crowd!
