5-Ingredient Cocktail and Drink Recipes for Your Easiest Happy Hour Ever

By Jenna Sims Updated March 04, 2022

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

These 5-ingredient recipes are here to prove that you don't need a fully stocked bar in your home to enjoy a refreshing cocktail. You can transform just a few simple ingredients, many of which you probably already have on hand, into delicious drinks for an at-home happy hour. These cocktails, spritzers, slushes, and punches will bring a festive sparkle to your evenings and weekends. Plus, we've included several non-alcoholic drinks for kiddos and those that prefer a booze-free happy hour, that are just as refreshing. Many also have easy swaps that will enable you to make both cocktails and mocktails from the same ingredients, so there will be an easy drink to suit every guest. From the best Texas Ranch Water to twists on classic drinks like a Mint Julep Slush and more, here are our easiest 5-ingredient drink recipes of all time.

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Ranch Water

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Recipe: Ranch Water

We can thank Texas for this dressed-down margarita that will become your go-to summertime cocktail.

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Salty Dog Cocktail

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Salty Dog Cocktail

If you prefer a not-so-sweet cocktail, grapefruit juice makes sure this drink is fresh and tart.

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Moscow Mule

Recipe: Moscow Mule

This cocktail recipe just requires a few stirs, so we guarantee you can't mess it up.

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French 75 Cocktail

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: French 75 Cocktail

The key to this easy cocktail is making sure the ingredients are well combined using a cocktail shaker. You'll want to shake until your fingers are almost numb.

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Mint Julep Slush

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Mint Julep Slush

Instead of serving this mint julep over ice, we made it even more refreshing by blending it together with the rest of the ingredients.

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Strawberry-Mint Tea

Credit: Alison Miksch; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Strawberry-Mint Tea

This Strawberry-Mint Tea is great on its own or as a mixer.

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Lemon Drop Martini

Credit: Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

Recipe: Lemon Drop Martini

Adding sugar to the rim gives this martini a finish that's reminiscent of lemon candy.

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Pineapple-Coconut Fizz

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Pineapple-Coconut Fizz

Even though this drink had an impressive presentation, it's so easy to pull together with just three ingredients.

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Key Lime Daiquiris

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Recipe: Key Lime Daiquiris

If you can't find Key limes in your grocery store you can use regular Persian limes, but definitely use them if possible.

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Rum Swizzles

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Rum Swizzles

One sip of this rum-based cocktail will instantly transport you to the Caribbean, which makes sense as it is sometimes referred to as Bermuda's national drink.