19 Best No-Equipment Cocktails

No shaker, no problem. Knock these cocktails up in the glass with minimal fuss or washing up – just add ice and you’re good to go.

Gin

NEGRONI
This no-frills drink is traditionally assembled and mixed directly in the glass. There is something about a Negroni that does not suit fussing about with mixing glasses and strainers.

You’ll need:
Gin
Campari
Sweet Vermouth
An orange for garnish

See our recipe here.

DUTCH ORANGE CUP
Easy drinking, fruity, summery, gin-laced and freshened by zesty orange. Best of all it’s built in the glass.

You’ll need:
Gin
Orange curacao liqueur
Sweet vermouth
Angostura bitters
Ginger ale
Orange and strawberry slices
Mint

See our recipe here.

WHITE NEGRONI
Drier than the original, without any of the orange fruitiness or coating sweetness, this drink is for aficionados of bittersweet aperitifs and Suze – but those who like it will love it. Don’t skimp on the grapefruit twist, it really makes the drink.

You’ll need:
Gin
Gentian liqueur
Lillet Blanc
A grapefruit

See our recipe here.

Vodka

MOSCOW MULE
A long, vodka-based drink with ginger beer packing a spicy punch. Everything happens in the one glass or cup, making it the easiest vodka drink you’ll learn to make.

You’ll need:
Vodka
Limes
Sugar syrup
Ginger beer
Mint

See our recipe here.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROOTBEER
Tasting reminiscent of alcoholic root beer, simply pour all the ingredients into the glass first then fill with ice and you’re good to go.

You’ll need:
Vodka
Galliano L’Autentico liqueur
Cola
Liquorice bitters (optional)
A lime to garnish

See our recipe here.

Aperitif style – low ABV

GARIBALDI
A fabulous brunch cocktail. Our recipe uses a blender to aerate the orange juice and make it “fluffy” but as this is a no-equipment round up, it’s not essential to the flavour of the drink, it simple makes it a lighter texture.

You’ll need:
Campari
Sugar Syrup
Orange Juice
An orange to garnish

See our recipe here.

MILANO TORINO
The drink that led to both the Negroni and the Americano. Pause and enjoy its simplicity before progressing.

You’ll need:
Campari
Sweet vermouth
An orange to garnish

See our recipe here.

LIMONCELLO SPRITZ
Zesty, almost creamy, lemon enlivened with fizz. Simply pour all your ingredients into an ice-filled wine glass and stir.

You’ll need:
Sparkling wine
Limoncello liqueur
Soda water
An orange to garnish

See our recipe here.

SLOEGRONI
Lighter in colour and more mellow in flavour than a classic Negroni with sloe gin adding richness and subtle berry flavours.

You’ll need:
Sloe gin
Campari
Sweet vermouth
An orange to garnish

See our recipe here.

APEROL SPRITZ
This one needs no introduction. Slightly sweet, herbal, refreshing and dangerously quaffable. The traditional recipe from the brand says equal parts aperol and prosecco, but we like our spritz in a 3:2:1 with the prosecco being the largest ingredient. It’s lighter on the aperol and noticeably fizzer.

You’ll need:
Sparkling wine
Aperol
Soda
Orange to garnish

See our recipe here.

AMERICANO
A bitter, fizzy, long refreshing drin, which you’ll love if you like Campari.

You’ll need:
Campari
Sweet vermouth
Soda
Orange to garnish

See our recipe here.

Rum

CARTA SWITCHEL
Complex and very refreshing, this is unlike many other drinks you’ll have tried – based on an old recipe developed by the sugarcane field workers. Rum is the predominant flavour but it’s brilliantly accentuated with grapefruit, fernet and vinegar.

You’ll need:
Rum
Grapefruit juice
Sugar syrup
Fernet Branca
Cider vinegar

See our recipe here.

MOJITO
When well made, this Cuban cousin of the Mint Julep is one of the world’s greatest and most refreshing cocktails.

You’ll need:
Rum
Limes
Mint
Sugar syrup
Soda

See our recipe here.

DARK 'N STORMY HIGHBALL
Refreshing on a hot summer’s day, this simplified version skips the lime juice so there’s no need to shake its ingredients before adding the ginger beer. Squeeze some from the garnish over the top for a more traditional taste.

You’ll need:
Dark rum
Ginger beer
A lime for garnish

See our recipe here.

Whisky

WHISKY MAC
Subtly spirituous, its whisky notes are tamed by the rich green ginger wine, which also adds a warming spice. Not idea what green ginger wine is? We got you – check out where to grab it here.

You’ll need:
Whisky
Green ginger wine
Candied ginger to garnish

See our recipe here.

SCOTCH BASED FRUIT CUP
Scotch makes one of the best bases for a fruit cup – surprisingly light, flavourful and refreshing.

You’ll need:
Blended Scotch
Orange curacao liqueur
Sweet vermouth
Angostura bitters
Ginger ale
Cola
Orange and strawberry slices
Mint

See our recipe here.

Tequila

CANTARITOS
Juicy, slightly salty and invigorated by the tequila and grapefruit, this is a cocktail commonly made in bars, café and even roadside stalls in Jalisco, Mexico. If you’re serving in the traditional clay pot be sure to wet the outside, helping to keep your drink colder for longer. Otherwise a long collins glass is fine! Simply build it and serve / drink.

You’ll need:
Tequila
Orange juice
Grapefruit juice
Lime juice
Salt
Pink grapefruit soda

See our recipe here.

PALOMA (SIMPLE)
Long, fruity, refreshing. It doesn’t get much better than this perfect tequila serve.

You’ll need:
Tequila
Lime juice
Pink grapefruit soda
Salt to garnish

See our recipe here.

MEXICAN MULE
As the name suggests, this is a tequila based version of the Moscow Mule – simple as that. And very tasty.

You’ll need:
Tequila
Lime juice
Sugar syrup
Ginger beer
A lime for garnish
Mint
See our recipe here.