9 of the Best Two Ingredient co*cktail Recipes — VinePair (2024)

Sometimes, good things come in twos. Classics like peanut butter and jelly, ham and cheese, and Paris and Nicole have kept this country busy for years. Perfect pairs pervade the co*cktail world, as well, and are in many cases considered“Highballs.” Others, like Mimosas and Screwdrivers, have done well enough to make a name for themselves.

Whether your favorite spirit is dark rum or crisp, clean vodka, we’ve compiled all the classic pairs you’ll need to know for home bartending. Keep reading for our ultimate list of two-ingredient co*cktails below.

Aperol Spritz

While some finish this co*cktail with a touch of club soda, pros know all you need is a healthy pour of Aperol and Prosecco. Whip this up when you’re nostalgic for boozy brunch, or looking for something sessionable. Simply mix two ounces of Aperol with three ounces of Prosecco, and serve over ice.

Ranch Water

This co*cktail skirts the line between two and three ingredient co*cktails, but with the right tequila, you can do without lime juice. The classic recipe calls for your best blanco tequila and a bottle of Topo Chico, but with new flavored Topo Chicos, it’s easy to mix it up into a Highball. With a Twist of Lime Topo Chico you can replicate classic Ranch Water with two ingredients — just pour a bottle over ice with an ounce and a half of tequila.

Here, the recipe is in the name. The famous G&T is best made with two ounces of gin and a generous pour of tonic water, but it’s endlessly customizable. Think of this recipe as a landing pad from which you can charter a plane to pomegranate town or spiked coffee city.

Screwdriver

Some call this co*cktail the perfect hair of the dog, but few know it was invented by oil workers in the Middle East. Whoever crafted this perfect combination of orange juice and vodka should be proud, and today it follows the similar highball format: two ounces of vodka and as much orange juice as needed.

Pimm’s Cup

Punch bowls of Pimm’s are often decorated with so many herbs and berries, it may surprise you that a classic Pimm’s Cup only needs two ingredients. Combine a shot of Pimm’s with your favorite ginger ale, add crushed ice, and serve. Bonus points if you add any combination of mint, lemon, cucumber, or fresh fruit to garnish.

Mimosa

At this point, a Mimosa is synonymous with “brunch.” That being said, the low-ABV co*cktail deserves to be served with any meal, and can make a splash in your pod. If you’re getting ready to craft your first one from scratch, simply pour three ounces of orange juice, then three ounces of sparkling wine, and enjoy.

The Rosé Lillet Spritz

Lillet is a light, slightly floral aperitif made with Bordeaux grapes. It’s low-ABV (only 17 percent), making it the perfect ingredient for a seasonal spritz. The rosé version is a little fruitier, and once mixed with club soda, hosts the perfect party for some mixed berries.

Martini

This classic is open to interpretation, but the standard recipe calls for two — perfectly selected — ingredients. A true gin Martini is made with 2 ¾ ounces of gin, ¾ ounces of dry vermouth, and served up in a Martini glass. Try to ensure that both your glass and ingredients are as cold as possible, as this will grease the wheels when you taste test.

Dark ’N’ Stormy