Discover eleven 2-ingredient cocktails that are as easy to sip as they are to craft. Some are familiar favorites while others may be new to you. They all taste great!
Sometimes we pull out the blender and craft complicated cocktails but usually our mixology mission involves five ingredients or fewer – and we’re not alone with this preference.
Some of the world’s most popular cocktails, like the Old Fashioned and Negroni, involve just a few ingredients and are surprisingly easy to craft. The easiest can be crafted with just two ingredients.
Yes, we know that crafting a tasty tipple with just a couple ingredients sounds too good to be true. But, as it turns out, two-ingredient drinks are surprisingly common.
Several great cocktail recipes have just two ingredients, not counting water, ice and garnishes of course. These seemingly simple cocktails are a great option when you’re home alone or feeling lazy. They’re also ideal when you’re having a party and don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen.
These are our favorite two-ingredient cocktails and the ones you’ll love sipping:
11 Of The Best 2-Ingredient Cocktails
Gin + Tonic
The Gin + Tonic is the most popular two-ingredient cocktail on this list. It's also a global phenomenon that can't be stopped. Learn the story behind this classic cocktail and discover a few twists that take the G+T to the next level.
The Black Russian cocktail is more than just a White Russian without cream. The chocolate brown cocktail provides more of a kick without any mixers to dilute its alcohol components. Plus, as a bonus, the Black Russian ticks the box for cocktail drinkers who are vegetarian and/or lactose impaired.
Crafting Italy's Garibaldi cocktail requires two primary ingredients – Campari and fresh orange juice. These two ingredients, one bitter and one sweet, come together to create a flavor sensation that's ideal for any pre-dinner aperitivo session involving meat, cheese or olives.
Simultaneously refreshing and tart, the Greyhound cocktail has just two ingredients. The question is whether those two ingredients are gin and grapefruit juice OR vodka and grapefruit juice.
Easy to make at home with just a couple ingredients, this Gibson is a classic gin cocktail that's cool, classy and tastes like a dream. In other words, it's a winner.
Discover why drinking a Mauresque cocktail is one of the greatest joys of visiting Marseille. Then learn how to make the French pastis cocktail at home.
The Bellini is a two-ingredient cocktail crafted with peach purée and Prosecco. It's also bubbly, sweet and peachy. Plus, it's pleasantly pink. And who doesn't like pink cocktails?
A French Connection cocktail is a two-ingredient cocktail crafted with equal parts of Amaretto and Cognac. It's also a sweet, potent and easy drink to sip after dinner, preferably next to a fireplace and with a special someone.
Don't underestimate the Tomate cocktail. It's a drink to sip thanks to its fun color and fruity flavor. But beware – this colorful, fruity cocktail packs a potent punch.
A 2-ingredient cocktail is a cocktail that’s crafted with just two ingredients plus optional add-ons like garnishes and ice cubes. The two ingredients can be two different liquors. Alternatively, one of the ingredients can be a non-alcoholic mixer like tonic or club soda.
What’s the best way craft a 2-ingredient cocktail
Most 2-ingredient cocktails are easy to craft. Some are stirred while others are shaken.
Which cocktail is the most iconic 2-ingredient cocktail?
The Gin + Tonic is the most iconic 2-ingredient cocktail. After two centuries, it’s as popular today as ever.
Video Recap
Thirsty For More Cocktails?
Colorful Cocktails
Rum Cocktails
Vodka Cocktails
About the Authors
Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world.
Disclosures
Article Updates We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.
Funding We purchased the ingredients and tools used to craft these cocktails.
