12 Two-Ingredient Cocktails That Are Actually Good (Not Just Lazy)
Recipes · 2026-08-11 · 10 min read · by Jake
Sometimes you don't want to juice limes, make syrup, or dig through your cabinet for that one bottle of obscure amaro. Sometimes you just want a drink that requires two things and zero effort. These cocktails are for those moments.
Every drink on this list uses exactly two ingredients (plus ice and maybe a garnish). They're all legitimately good — not just lazy shortcuts, but actual cocktails that happen to be simple.
Gin & Tonic
The G&T is the world's most popular two-ingredient cocktail and it's popular for a reason. Good gin, good tonic, lots of ice. The botanical complexity of gin combined with the quinine bitterness of tonic creates something greater than the sum of its parts.
Two ounces gin, 4-5 ounces tonic water, over lots of ice. The ratio matters — too much tonic and it's watery, too little and it's harsh. A lime wedge or cucumber slice is traditional but technically a third ingredient.
Rum & Coke (Cuba Libre)
With a lime squeeze it's a Cuba Libre, without it's just a Rum & Coke. Either way, it's one of the most ordered drinks in the world. The sweetness of cola balances the heat of rum perfectly.
Two ounces rum (white for lighter, dark for richer), fill with Coca-Cola over ice. Try it with Mexican Coke (cane sugar) for a cleaner taste. Gold rum like Appleton Signature splits the difference nicely.
Scotch & Soda
This is what sophisticated people ordered before cocktail culture came back. It's just Scotch with soda water — the carbonation opens up the whisky's flavors and makes it more refreshing without adding sweetness.
Two ounces blended Scotch, fill with cold soda water over ice. The soda should be very cold and freshly opened for maximum carbonation. Famous Grouse or Johnnie Walker Black both work well here.
Aperol Spritz (sort of)
Technically three ingredients (Aperol, Prosecco, soda), but if you skip the soda — which many Italians do — it's just Aperol and Prosecco. Three ounces Prosecco, two ounces Aperol, over ice in a wine glass.
The soda water is really just there to lighten it. Without it, you get a slightly richer, more concentrated version that's still perfectly balanced.
Bourbon & Ginger
Bourbon and ginger ale (or ginger beer for more kick) is the drink that bartenders make for themselves. It's unpretentious, refreshing, and lets you taste the bourbon while keeping things light.
Two ounces bourbon, fill with ginger ale or ginger beer over ice. That's it. Buffalo Trace or Wild Turkey 101 both work great. The higher proof of Wild Turkey actually stands up better to the mixer.
Vodka Soda
The lowest-calorie cocktail that exists. It's just vodka and soda water — no sugar, no juice, no mixers. Sounds boring, but with good vodka and a proper citrus expression, it's genuinely refreshing.
Two ounces vodka, fill with very cold soda water, express a lemon or lime peel over the top. Keep the vodka in the freezer. The colder everything is, the better this drinks.
Amaretto & Coke
This one flies under the radar but it's delicious. Amaretto's almond-cherry sweetness with cola creates something that tastes like a fancy cherry cola. It's low-proof and the kind of drink you finish without noticing.
Two ounces amaretto (Disaronno is the standard), fill with Coca-Cola over ice. It's sweet, so if that's not your thing, try amaretto and soda water instead for something lighter.
Campari & Soda
The Italian aperitivo in its simplest form. Campari is intensely bitter and herbal — the soda water tames it just enough to be drinkable while preserving all that complexity. This is what Italians drink before dinner.
Two ounces Campari, fill with soda water over ice. Orange slice garnish. If straight Campari is too bitter for you, this probably isn't your drink — but give it three tries before you decide. Bitter is an acquired taste that's worth acquiring.
Kahlua & Cream
A simplified White Russian without the vodka. It's essentially an adult chocolate milk — coffee liqueur with cream poured over ice. Sweet, creamy, and perfect as a nightcap or dessert replacement.
Two ounces Kahlua (or Mr. Black for less sweetness), one ounce heavy cream, over ice. Stir gently. Some people use milk instead of cream for something lighter. Either works.