5-Ingredient Cocktail and Drink Recipes for Your Easiest Happy Hour Ever
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.
Ranch Water
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
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
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
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
Recipe: Strawberry-Mint Tea
This Strawberry-Mint Tea is great on its own or as a mixer.
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Lemon Drop Martini
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
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
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
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.
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Homemade Cherry Limeade
Recipe: Homemade Cherry Limeade
Use this recipe to make a batch drink when you're having guests. Just make sure not to make it too far ahead of time, as the soda can go flat.
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Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler
Recipe: Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler
If you prefer to make this cooler as a mocktail, you can substitute the gin for lime-flavored seltzer water.
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Pink Cadillac Margaritas
Recipe: Pink Cadillac Margaritas
As the name implies, these unique margaritas are pink in color. Make this margarita your signature cocktail at your next get-together.
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Strawberry Piña Coladas
Recipe: Strawberry Piña Coladas
Upgrade your next homemade piña colada with the addition of fresh strawberries.
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Classic Transfusion Cocktail
Recipe: Classic Transfusion Cocktail
While this cocktail is particularly popular on the golf course, you can enjoy it on the porch too.
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Lemon-Basil Spritzer
Recipe: Lemon-Basil Spritzer
Make the most of your herb garden with this thirst-quenching spritzer.
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Sparkling Punch
Recipe: Sparkling Punch
From happy hour on the porch to a celebratory shower, this pretty pink punch won't disappoint.
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Lemon-Mint Sparklers
Recipe: Lemon-Mint Sparklers
Make the Lemon-Mint Syrup a week ahead, and keep cold. Chill the club soda, too, but mix the drink just before serving to keep it nice and fizzy.
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Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktail
Recipe: Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktail
We used Mississippi's Cathead Honeysuckle Flavored Vodka to give the cocktail a delicate floral note, but plain vodka works too.