From Scratch to Sip: DIY Cocktails for the Home Bartender

Holly Antoine in Food & Drink
6/13/24
 [updated: 6/17/24]
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In a world where craft cocktails and artisanal drinks have become the toast of the town, there’s no better time to dive into the art of mixology from the comfort of your own home. This is your ultimate guide to transforming your kitchen into a personal speakeasy. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner, this article will equip you with the knowledge, techniques, and recipes to create stunning beverages that rival those from your favorite bar.

Join us as we explore the essentials of cocktail-making, from selecting the finest ingredients to mastering the perfect pour, and elevate your at-home drinking experience to new heights.

1. Classic Margarita

close up of a margarita
Photo Credit: Canva Pro

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. tequila
  • 1 oz. lime juice
  • 1 oz. triple sec
  • Salt for rim
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Rim your glass with salt by running a lime wedge around the edge and dipping it in salt.
  2. In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice.
  3. Shake well and strain into the salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.
  4. Garnish with a lime wedge.
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2. Mojito

close up of a mojito
Photo Credit: Canva Pro

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. white rum
  • 1 oz. fresh lime juice
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 6-8 fresh mint leaves
  • Soda water
  • Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a glass, muddle mint leaves with sugar and lime juice.
  2. Fill the glass with ice and add the rum.
  3. Top off with soda water and stir gently.
  4. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.

3. Old Fashioned

old fashioned cocktail being made
Photo Credit: Canva Pro

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 1 sugar cube
  • 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
  • Orange twist and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Place the sugar cube in a glass and saturate it with bitters.
  2. Muddle until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Add a large ice cube and pour the whiskey over it.
  4. Stir gently and garnish with an orange twist and a cherry.

4. Cosmopolitan

close up of Cosmopolitan cocktail
Photo Credit: Canva Pro

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz. vodka
  • 1 oz. cranberry juice
  • 1/2 oz. triple sec
  • 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
  • Lime twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Combine vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice in a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  3. Garnish with a lime twist.

5. Piña Colada

Piña Colada cocktail with pineapples
Photo Credit: Canva Pro

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. white rum
  • 1 oz. coconut cream
  • 1 oz. heavy cream
  • 6 oz. fresh pineapple juice
  • Pineapple slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender with a handful of ice.
  2. Blend until smooth and pour into a chilled glass.
  3. Garnish with a pineapple slice and a cherry.

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With these simple recipes, you can easily elevate your home bartending skills and impress your friends and family. Remember, the key to a great cocktail is not just in the ingredients but also in the love and creativity you put into making it. Cheers to your newfound mixology skills, and happy sipping!

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