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Cool Cocktails to Make at Home Tonight

Cool Cocktails to Make at Home Tonight

There is something inherently relaxing about staying in at home and making a good cocktail to enjoy with family, impress friends, or quietly unwind alone. Whether you are looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply kill time with friends and family, having a few go-to cocktail recipes to turn to can elevate the evening from ordinary to extraordinary. 

Some of the best cocktails to make at home will be the simplest. With affordable cocktail ingredients and readily-available mixers, there is no reason to collect a full bar cart of liquors and mixers for the at-home bar. From vodka cocktails to dark rum cocktails and even easy mocktails, these recipes will have you sipping cocktails in no time with minimal supplies, all from the comfort of home. 


What Makes a Good At-Home Cocktail? 

A good cocktail does not necessarily have to contain many different ingredients. In fact, some of the best cocktails to enjoy at home will contain only a few ingredients that you can purchase at grocery stores nearby. Slowly acquiring liquors, mixers, and garnishes over time can make building your home bar less of a strain on your budget. Some of the best ingredients to include in your at-home bar include: 

  • Vodka 
  • Dark rum 
  • Club soda 
  • Ginger beer 
  • Citrus fruits 
  • Simple syrup 
  • Cranberry juice 
  • Berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries 
  • Cola 
  • Mint leaves 
  • Sugar 
  • Ice 


Cocktails with fewer ingredients allow guests or hosts to mix the drinks at home more easily, leading to better balance and ratios in their cocktails. Additionally, fewer ingredients provide an opportunity to customize cocktails to taste preferences.  A few simple tools, including a cocktail shaker, a jigger for measuring fluid ingredients quickly, a long bar spoon for stirring and a mesh strainer to remove seeds, ice chips, and fruit pulp can elevate your creations to a near-professional level. Practicing new recipes before serving them to guests can make you seem like a seasoned bartender as you show off your mixology skills! 

A man and a woman are sitting on a couch with a drink in hand.

Easy Vodka Cocktails at Home 

Vodka is a simple, versatile spirit that lends itself to many beloved drinks. Having a few go-to vodka recipes makes entertaining or unwinding after a long day a simple process.  


Classic Moscow Mule 

One of the easiest cocktails to make at home is a Moscow Mule. This drink only requires a few ingredients to prepare, and it has recently been very trendy. You can find many fun recipes riffing on the basics!  


Ingredients: 

  • 2 ounces vodka 
  • Ginger beer 
  • Lime juice 
  • Ice


Combine vodka, lime juice, and ice in a glass. Top with ginger beer. 

Mocktail alternative: Use sparkling water or ginger beer in place of vodka. 


 


Cranberry Vodka Spritzer 

If you are looking for something lighter to drink, a cranberry vodka spritzer will be perfect for the evening. It is sippable without being too strong or too sweet when blended properly.  

Ingredients: 

  • 2 ounces vodka 
  • Cranberry juice 
  • Club soda 
  • Lime wedge 
  • Ice 

Combine vodka and cranberry juice over ice in a glass. Top with club soda. You can also dust the rim in sugar before putting the lime wedge on the glass. 

Aspiring mix-masters looking for more vodka cocktail recipes to try at home can start with recipes from Food & Wine, which has dozens of fun ideas! 


 


Dark Rum Cocktails at Home 

Fermented sugarcane or molasses is the base ingredient for dark rum, although the finished, aged spirit often includes notes of many spices, including vanilla. The best dark rums are barrel-aged, but you can opt for more affordable options when hosting a get-together without disappointing your guests, provided that you mix up something tasty!

A copper-colored cocktail shaker sits next to a glass with a drink and an orange slice.

Simple Rum and Cola 

Dark rum cocktails can be challenging to prepare, but one of the easiest to prepare at home is a simple rum and cola. 

Ingredients: 

  • 2 ounces dark rum 
  • Cola 
  • Lime wedge 
  • Ice 

Add the dark rum and cola to a glass with ice and serve. Garnish with a lime wedge if desired.

Mocktail alternative: Use an alcohol-free version of dark rum or simply drink cola with lime and vanilla extract. 


Dark Rum Ginger Punch 

For something slightly bolder to taste, a dark rum ginger punch will provide a unique flavor for those enjoying drinks at your at-home bar. 

Ingredients: 

  • 2 ounces dark rum 
  • Ginger beer 
  • Splash of orange juice 
  • Ice 

Mix dark rum,  ginger beer, and orange juice. Stir well and serve over ice. 

Mocktail alternative: Use non-alcoholic dark rum alternatives to mix with ginger beer and orange juice. 


 

Easy Mocktails for a Relaxing Night In 

Mocktail options are perfect for guests who prefer not to drink but still want to enjoy refreshing drinks from the bar. 

A person is pouring a red liquid into a glass.

Strawberry Lime Sparkler 

Sometimes, the best drink is a refreshing berry/lime mix. While this one calls for strawberries, you can use other berries, like blackberries or raspberries. You can even use a mix of berries based on your personal preferences or what is in season. 


Ingredients: 

  • Sparkling water 
  • Berry puree 
  • Fresh lime juice 
  • Mint leaves 

Combine all ingredients over ice in a glass. Garnish with mint leaves. 


Citrus Ginger Cooler 

For those who want to prepare a mocktail with a bold flavor, a citrus ginger cooler will satisfy the taste buds. 

Ingredients: 

  • Orange juice 
  • Lemon juice 
  • Ginger beer 
  • Sparkling water 
  • Ice 

Mix equal parts of each ingredient and pour it over ice. You can also add citrus fruit wedges and mint leaves if desired. According to The Spruce Eats, mocktail recipes are on the rise as more individuals reach for non-alcoholic beverages. It's good to have a few go-to options when hosting a group, as many people might want to socialize without consuming alcohol. 


 

Create the Perfect Night In 

For individuals looking to recharge and enjoy a night in at home, there are many cocktail recipes that can be followed that will feature easily available and affordable ingredients. Having the right space for unwinding is important as well.  

Springcreek Apartments & Townhomes has multiple different floor plans that can work well for people in a variety of circumstances. Our 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments have large closets and convenient double galley kitchen layouts. Our spacious 2- and 3-bedroom townhomes boast even more space and offer enhanced privacy.  

Anyone searching for apartments in Derby, KS, may find that a home at Springcreek would be perfect for hosting guests, making cocktails, and enjoying quiet nights in at home with family and friends. If you want to see the space in person and learn more about our community, schedule a tour by clicking here!