Instead of having whiskey on the rocks or plain rum and coke, you can mix a few key ingredients to make the drink even more interesting. Yes, we’re talking about cocktails. Cocktails have been mixed for parties high and low for guests to be able to savor their drinks in the most fun way possible. This article teaches you to use a minimum number of ingredients to whip up a really fancy cocktail in minutes!

Vesper Martini
The Vesper Martini, shaken, not stirred, needs only three key ingredients: Lillet Blanc, gin, and vodka. This cocktail is a sure-shot party entertainer. Take approximately 60ml of dry gin and 20ml of vodka and mix it with just 10ml of Lillet Blanc. This French-based wine is the perfect companion to make this easy cocktail in just 3 minutes. Finish off the drink with a lemon garnish and a handful of ice cubes.

2. Manhattan
This is one of the oldest cocktails you can get. The iconic Manhattan gained popularity back in the 1940s and is made either using bourbon or rye whiskey. To make one cocktail, all you need is 2 ounces of your favorite bourbon brand or rye (whatever works for you) and 1 ounce of sweet vermouth. Mix well with a few dashes of angostura bitters and orange bitters and garnish with brandied cherries to finish off the drink in style.

3. Old Fashioned
If you like classics, check out the Old Fashioned. This cocktail features the perfect blend of aged bourbon or whiskey with flavorful ingredients and a simple garnish. The drink, with its origins traced back to the 1800s, has a mature taste and punchy flavors. Take 2 ounces of any preferred and aged bourbon or rye whiskey and mix it well with only 2 dashes of angostura bitter. Mix one sugar cube and stir the drink well till all the ingredients dissolve evenly. Serve with a garnish of orange twist. Add ice cubes as required to chill the drink.

4. Rum Negroni
If you prefer a lighter version of the classic gin negroni, try this rum-flavored cocktail. Rum Negroni is best served in a wide glass poured over a block of ice to chill and the cocktail requires minimal ingredients. Mix 50ml of golden rum with 50ml of bitter aperitif (preferably Campari, Cynar, or Sacred Rosehip Cup), and 50ml of sweet vermouth. Pour all these ingredients in a jug with 25ml of water to dilute the cocktail. Mix well and serve on the rocks or decant into a flask.

5. Cosmopolitan
You simply cannot go wrong with this simple minimum-ingredient cocktail. All you need is 45ml of vodka, 15ml of triple sec liqueur, and 10ml of lime juice mixed well with 30ml of cranberry juice. Understand that the proportions given for mixing liquor are just estimates for standard cocktails. You can always adjust the quantity at your discretion and explore similar recipes online.