Happy hour at home should be simple: a few good drinks, minimal fuss, and ingredients you can find anywhere. These five easy cocktails—a classic Margarita, a refreshing Mojito, a fruity Sangria, a bubbly Aperol Spritz, and a creamy Mudslide—cover every mood, from citrusy and bright to rich and dessert-like. Each one comes together in minutes with basic bar tools, so you can focus on relaxing, not mixing.
Ingredients
- For the Margarita (makes 1): 2 oz (60 ml) blanco tequila, 1 oz (30 ml) orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec), 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice, ½ oz (15 ml) simple syrup (optional), coarse salt for rim, lime wheel for garnish
- For the Mojito (makes 1): 2 oz (60 ml) white rum, 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice, ¾ oz (22 ml) simple syrup, 6-8 fresh mint leaves, 2 oz (60 ml) club soda, lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
- For the Red Sangria (makes 4): 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (like Tempranillo or Merlot), ½ cup (120 ml) orange juice, ¼ cup (60 ml) brandy, 2 tbsp (30 ml) simple syrup, 1 orange, sliced, 1 apple, cored and sliced, 1 cup (150 g) strawberries, hulled and halved, 1 cup (240 ml) club soda (add just before serving)
- For the Aperol Spritz (makes 1): 3 oz (90 ml) Aperol, 3 oz (90 ml) Prosecco, 1 oz (30 ml) club soda, orange slice for garnish
- For the Mudslide (makes 1): 1 ½ oz (45 ml) vodka, 1 ½ oz (45 ml) coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), 1 ½ oz (45 ml) Irish cream liqueur, 2 oz (60 ml) heavy cream or milk, ice, chocolate shavings for garnish
- Ice: about 4 cups (960 ml) total, plus extra for shaking
Instructions
- Make the Margarita: Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass, then dip the rim in coarse salt. Fill the glass with ice. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup (if using). Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
- Make the Mojito: In a highball glass, gently muddle the mint leaves with the lime juice and simple syrup (just press a few times to release the oils—don’t shred the mint). Fill the glass with ice. Add the rum and top with club soda. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig.
- Make the Sangria (for a crowd): In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, orange juice, brandy, and simple syrup. Add the orange slices, apple slices, and strawberries. Stir well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours) to let the flavors meld. Just before serving, add the club soda and stir gently. Serve over ice in wine glasses.
- Make the Aperol Spritz: Fill a wine glass with ice. Pour in the Aperol, then the Prosecco, then the club soda. Stir gently once. Garnish with an orange slice.
- Make the Mudslide: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and heavy cream (or milk). Shake well for 15 seconds until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
- Serve immediately: All these drinks are best enjoyed right after mixing. If making multiple, keep the sangria pitcher chilled and mix the others to order.
Tips
- Use fresh citrus: Bottled lime or lemon juice tastes flat and can make drinks bitter. Squeeze fresh limes and oranges for the best flavor. For a shortcut, juice a batch of limes and store the juice in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Simple syrup is your friend: To make it at home, combine equal parts sugar and water (e.g., 1 cup / 200 g sugar and 1 cup / 240 ml water) in a saucepan, heat until the sugar dissolves, then cool. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It dissolves instantly in cold drinks, unlike granulated sugar.
- Don’t over-muddle mint: For a mojito, press the mint leaves just enough to release their aroma. If you crush them into a paste, they’ll turn bitter and the drink will be cloudy.
- Chill your glasses: A cold glass keeps drinks colder longer. Pop your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving, or fill them with ice water while you mix.
Serving Suggestions
These drinks are perfect for a casual get-together. Serve the Margarita and Mojito with salty snacks like tortilla chips and guacamole or spicy nuts. Sangria pairs beautifully with a cheese board or grilled meats. The Aperol Spritz is a light aperitif—serve it with olives or bruschetta. The Mudslide works as a dessert drink alongside chocolate truffles or biscotti.
Variations
- Frozen Margarita: Blend the margarita ingredients with 1 cup (240 ml) of ice until slushy, then serve in a salt-rimmed glass.
- Berry Mojito: Muddle 4-5 raspberries or blackberries with the mint for a fruity twist.
- White Sangria: Substitute white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc) for the red, and use peaches, nectarines, and green grapes instead of the orange, apple, and strawberries.
- Spritz variations: Swap the Aperol for Campari (more bitter) or Cynar (herbal). You can also use any dry sparkling wine instead of Prosecco.
- Non-alcoholic Mudslide: Use 2 oz (60 ml) cold brew coffee, 1 oz (30 ml) chocolate syrup, and 2 oz (60 ml) heavy cream or milk. Shake with ice and serve.
Storage and Reheating
These cocktails are best made fresh, but you can prep ahead. For the sangria, mix the wine, fruit, and juice (without club soda) and refrigerate for up to 24 hours; add the club soda just before serving. For the others, you can pre-mix the spirits and juices (without ice or soda) and store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 8 hours. Shake or stir with ice right before serving. Do not store drinks with ice, as they will dilute and lose flavor. Leftover sangria can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, but the fruit will soften and the fizz will fade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a pitcher of margaritas? Yes. Multiply the recipe by the number of guests. For a pitcher (about 8 servings), combine 1 ½ cups (360 ml) tequila, ¾ cup (180 ml) orange liqueur, ¾ cup (180 ml) lime juice, and ⅓ cup (80 ml) simple syrup. Stir with 2 cups (480 ml) of ice, then strain into a pitcher. Keep chilled and serve over fresh ice.
What if I don’t have simple syrup? You can dissolve sugar in a little warm water (1 part sugar to 1 part water) as a quick substitute. Or use agave nectar, honey, or maple syrup—just note that honey and maple syrup will add their own flavor.
Can I use bottled lime juice? Yes, in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be as bright. If using bottled, look for one without added sugar or preservatives, and use a little less because it can be more acidic.
How do I make a non-alcoholic version of these? For a “mocktail,� replace the spirit with a non-alcoholic alternative like Seedlip or a simple combination of club soda and flavored syrup. For example, a virgin mojito is just lime, mint, simple syrup, and club soda. A virgin sangria uses grape juice or a non-alcoholic red wine substitute.
Is it safe to use raw egg white in cocktails? This recipe doesn’t use egg white, but if you ever make a sour or fizz that calls for it, use pasteurized egg white (available in cartons) to reduce the risk of salmonella. Pasteurized eggs are safest for pregnant people, young children, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Can I make these drinks ahead for a party? Yes, for the sangria (see above). For the others, pre-measure the spirits and juices into a large pitcher and refrigerate. When guests arrive, shake or stir individual servings with ice. Don’t add the club soda or garnish until serving.
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