2 Ingredient Cocktails (40 of Them!)

This 2-ingredient cocktail is a classic drink. The sweetness from the cola makes a perfect pairing for the vodka. Served over ice, it’s super refreshing and super easy drinking.

I didn’t think I would like a Vodka Gimlet as much as I do! It’s pretty much all vodka, but the little bit of Rose’s Lime Juice adds sweetness and flavor. This refreshing classic cocktail can be served in a martini glass or coupe and gets bonus points for not requiring any fancy tools.

One of my favorite cocktails is the Screwdriver, or vodka and orange juice. It uses two ingredients that are popular that you probably already have at home. It’s easy drinking and works great at brunch or any time of day.

A Black Russian is an even easier relative of the White Russian (which has cream). These are 2-ingredient cocktails using vodka and coffee liqueur to make a bold drinks that you’ll want to sip slowly. Above image from the Kahlua website.

A basic version of Vodka and Apple Juice is so tasty! But you can make it even better with an upgraded (think cold-pressed, apple cider or Honeycrisp) apple juice. Served over ice, this one is perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.

A Gibson can be made with either vodka or gin mixed with a little bit of dry vermouth. Grab a chilled glass and try one tonight! Just like the traditional martini, this is all liquor. These types of drinks call for 2 aspirin and lots of water after. Image credit: The Spruce.

A basic Vodka Soda is one of the best 2-ingredient cocktails. But this version with Limonata Pellegrino takes the flavor and hits it out of the park. This lemon flavored soda has a sweeter flavor with a little bit of tang that does all the heavy lifting making this feel like a legit cocktail.

A classic martini is quick and easy and can be made with things that are probably on your bar cart. Vodka (or gin) mixed with half sweet vermouth is a classic two-ingredient cocktail that you may not have tried before. Image credit: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

While many people drink Green Tea for the health benefits, it also makes an amazing little hot toddy with some vodka. It’s comforting and just as easy to make as it is to drink! If you’re looking for something to warm you up from the inside out, this drink idea is for you. Don’t want a hot drink? Mix Vodka with Iced Tea.

A Cape Codder is a mix of vodka and cranberry juice. It’s an easy drink to make and drink as are most that have fruit juice as a mixer (Thanks, natural and added sugars!). It’s refreshing and easy to serve over ice. Image credit: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

This is one of my top 2 favorite 2-ingredient cocktails to make. Tequila is my favorite liquor and it is so crisp and refreshing with soda. Garnished or not, it’s full of flavor and wonderful for sipping any time of year. Add a little lime to level it up even more.

Bet you didn’t think about making a 2-ingredient pitcher cocktail! Use my recipe above for the easiest ever Margarita recipe, made a pitcher at a time! It’s refreshing and easy to serve in a rocks glass.

I’m on the fence about this Tequila and Kahlua cocktail called a Brave Bull. I love tequila. And I like coffee, but typically not in my cocktails. I’d be willing to give it a try, you know in the name of research. Photo credit: Kahlua website

The Salty Dog and Greyhound are basically the same drinks. With 1 parts gin to 2 parts grapefruit juice, the only difference is whether you rim the glass. I’ll let you guess which one has salt… Not a fan of gin, no problem. Just swap it out with vodka. I love that so many of these 2-ingredient cocktails are interchangeable.

A Gin and Tonic is a classic combination. But one that I don’t totally love. I’m not a big fan of tonic. It’s a popular choice but you can always make a Gin and Soda instead! You can also make this with vodka. But for me to really enjoy this, I need another flavor, like in my Grapefruit Vodka and Tonic. Image credit: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

A Cuba Libre is a fancy way to say Rum and Coke. With just a little bit of lime, this easy drink with dark rum and cola is full of flavor and is always a crowd pleaser. Add in some mint and it becomes a Coke-ijto! Image credit: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

A Dark and Stormy is made with spiced rum and spicy ginger beer. A wedge of lime does wonders to level up this drink. The spice of ginger beer pairs really well with the spices found in the rum to create really flavorful 2-ingredient cocktails. It’s one of my favorite rum cocktails.

Light rum and a little sweet vermouth makes a simple Rum Martini. Made in equal measures, this drink recipe sounds unique and I’m sure has a taste that a rum lover would really be into. I’m not a huge fan of martinis but I might be into this if it used a little spiced rum. Image Credit: Hemera Technologies

Sonja Morgan (of the Real Housewives of New York) always adds a little bit of fun wherever she goes. She ordered rosé with a little bit of coke in it and my mind was blown! It sounds crazy but it really does work. And it’s perfect any time of day. (Day drinking always calls for rosé).

In my recipe for a Red Wine Spritzer I use a third ingredient (a little bit of fresh orange juice). But you can make a refreshing drink with just wine and club soda! I’m not a huge red wine fan but love to sip these when the weather warms up. Play around with the red wine you use for different flavors.

Looking for something super easy but totally unique? Skip the orange juice and pair your sparkling wine with kombucha instead. Kombucha comes in lots of flavors and is slightly fermented to bring a really tangy flavor component. It’s a great match for champagne.

A classic Mimosa is just champagne and a varying amount of orange juice. It’s sweet and refreshing and an easy drink to put together that feels extra celebratory and totally acceptable to drink in the morning. These are probably the most popular 2-ingredient cocktails, ever. Image credit: Inspiredtaste.net

A simple peach puree topped with chilled Prosecco creates a tasty and super easy Peach Bellini. Frozen peaches tossed in the blender create a simple way to elevate a glass of sparkling wine. Sometimes sugar and peach Schnapps are added to enhance the peach flavor but you can absolutely keep this to two ingredients. Don’t forget to try my Spiced Pear Bellini this fall! Image credit: The Novice Chef

A Kir Royale is made easy with a little Creme de Cassis. This champagne cocktail is sweet and perfect for when you want an easy drink but not a basic mimosa. You’ll love the pretty color and the black currant flavor. Photo credit: Cookie and Kate.

The elderflower flavor of this liqueur adds the perfect, floral finishing touch to a simple glass of champagne. Often served with a bit of lemon peel, this sparkling wine cocktail is one of my favorites! Make sure you pick up a bottle of St. Germain at the liquor store if you don’t already have one. Photo Credit: Kitchen Konfidence

The version of a White Wine Spritzer linked above has a few extra ingredients, but if you want to stick with 2-ingredient cocktails all you really need is white wine and sparkling water! It’s a great summer drink idea and one I drink when I don’t want too much alcohol. An equal measure of wine and fizzy water keeps things super easy.

Bourbon Lemonade is super simple and totally delicious. Store-bought lemonade keeps this recipe to just two ingredients and gives it the right amount of sweetness to pair with Bourbon. Over ice, this is one of those 2-ingredient cocktails that is perfect any time of year.

A mix of Scotch and Drambuie, which is a Whiskey Liquor, this Rusty Nail cocktail is not for the faint of heart. Made of two types of liquor, this is a kind of drinks that will knock you on your behind. It’s strong! Image credit: The Spruce.

This Fireball and Ginger Ale cocktail idea takes a basic Whiskey and Ginger Ale and adds cinnamon to it. It’s super easy to make and the sweetness of both the Fireball and ginger ale makes it super drinkable.

Scotch and Amaretto is delicious! The smokiness from the Scotch is smoothed out a bit thanks to the ounce of amaretto. It gives it a boost of flavor that makes this easier to drink than you may think! It’s great for sipping, especially on a cold night. Image credit: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Scotch and Soda is another simple way to make 2-ingredient cocktails with Scotch. The sparkling water helps to make the Scotch a little more mellow but if you are more a fruity cocktail type of person, this isn’t for you. Image credit: EDALIN / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO via Esquire.com

7 and 7, or 7-Up and Whiskey is another easy to drink cocktail thanks to the sweetness of the lemon lime soda. I’ve also heard that this combination works so well because of the specific flavor of the Seagram’s 7 whiskey. So although you can use any whiskey to make this drink, you’ll get the best results with Seagram’s 7.

You'll love this easy Fireball drink with Dr. Pepper. It's sweet with cinnamon flavor and so simple to make.

Just beer and ice cream is all you need for this drink. Use an old-fashioned glass and a stout beer to make a good cocktail for Father’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.

Apple Cider and Lager is another of the beer based easy 2 ingredient cocktails. This one, also sometimes called a Snakebite, is said to be British in origin and I can understand the appeal. I loved cider when I was in London so pairing it with a lager style beer sounds refreshing and tasty! Image credit: Culinary Ginger

Hear me out. Sometimes cocktails from rap songs are delicious. In a recent themed happy hour with our neighbors, we made Brass Monkey. It’s a mix of Malt Liquor and orange juice and it wasn’t bad at all. I can see why this was a drink of choice for struggling artists and college students but you’ll probably never hear about this from any drink experts. I would absolutely make it again. Give it a try! Image credit: The Glut Life via Food Beast.

Have you ever had a Shandy? Made of Beer and orange juice this is sometimes called a Beermosa. This easy, sweet drink is a great idea for Father’s Day and hot summer barbecues! Image credit: Wide Open Eats

Pimm’s and Ginger Ale is an easy cocktail that you probably have never tried. Pimm’s is slightly bitter with herbal undertones and when paired with sweet ginger ale, it’s a yummy treat for your mouth! Pimm’s can also be added to sparkling wine for a little spritz. This one is great in warm weather. Image credit: Taste.com

These 2-ingredient cocktails feel a little elegant. Make Campari and Orange Juice for your friends. Similar to Aperol the bitter flavor of Campari is easy to drink with some fresh orange juice which will also cut through the sweet Italian liqueur. This one is sometimes also called a Garibaldi. Image credit: Emiko for Food 52

Another Campari drink, this one, mixed with a hoppy IPA, is one of those drinks that just works. There’s no real reason that these ingredients should pair so well. But Campari and Beer is cocktail magic. Also sometimes referred to as a Campari Shandy. Image credit: Anjali Prasertong)