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From Classic to Creative: Delightful Three-Ingredient Cocktails Anyone Can Mix

drinks

By Liam Foster

- Aug 6, 2024

When it comes to making cocktails, sometimes less really is more. Whether it's putting a simple spin on an old classic or crafting a refreshing mix from scratch, our list of favorite three-ingredient cocktails cater to all palates and occasions. These cocktails range from time-honored favorites like the fizzy French 75 and the amaro-infused Hanky Panky, to effervescent Italian classics like the Aperol Spritz and the Bicicletta. What's more, many of these drinks can be easily altered to suit the teetotalers; simply by removing the liquor, these beverages transform into superb non-alcoholic refreshments.

But the beauty of our chosen cocktails isn't confined to their satisfying simplicity. These drinks tell the tale of global flavors and time-honored traditions. Delicate combinations like tart lemon juice and the bite of ginger yield a comforting, non-alcoholic tonic that recalls editorial assistant Lucy Simon's grandmother's nourishing recipe.

Heartening drinks like the French 75 are steeped in history, with a name derived from a field rifle utilized by the French during World War I. This sparkling cocktail exudes a heady aroma of Champagne's yeasty notes, punctuated with a celebratory fizz.

The Agua Frescas, a tart, smoky, and sweet mainstay from Mexico, is synonymous with summertime, easily batched and perfect alongside grilled dishes, while India's ancient comfort drink, the Mango Lassi, is a sweet, creamy delight, traced back to 1000 BC.

Aperol Spritz is a summer stunner birthed by the Barbieri brothers in Padua, Italy, in 1919. Its striking orange hue and refreshing taste have made it a global favorite. Then there's the venerable Hanky Panky, crafted by bartender Ada "Coley" Coleman in London's Savoy Hotel, gaining a reputation as a beloved cocktail perfect for amaro connoisseurs and parties alike.

Discover the allure of white Port, a product of Portugal's Douro Valley, in a highball that brings out the harmony of dry wine and bittersweet tonic, and find a new way to enjoy Coca-Cola in a cocktail recipe by Nacho Jimenez. The Bicicletta, named after the tipsy Italian gentlemen who wobbled home on their bicycles, will make a Negroni fan smile with its bittersweet, light-alcohol profile.

Those who have never tried sake in a Negroni are in for a pleasant surprise as it lends a delicate floral edge to this classic cocktail. The Mint Lemonade, one of our top choices when faced with a fresh bunch of mint, can be enjoyed as a refreshing virgin blend or spiced up with a shot of your favorite spirit. The calming Hojicha Latte, made with milled hojicha tea leaves, provides a wonderful alternative for a caffeine boost, while the Desert Rain cocktail, all the rage at New York City's Northern Mexican hotspot Corima, offers an herbaceous, subtly sweet experience.