Cocktails That Only Feel Complicated
Spoiler alert: You don’t need a bar cart full of rare ingredients or a shaker flair worthy of a movie montage to make a great cocktail.
Let’s be honest — some cocktails look like they require a chemistry degree and a subscription to an herb-of-the-month club. But beneath the Instagram-worthy garnish and crushed ice tornado, most great drinks are surprisingly simple. You just need a few staple spirits, a splash of citrus, and maybe a little confidence.
Whether you’re impressing friends, hosting a low-key dinner, or just want to level up your Friday night drink game, here are some cocktails that look high-effort but are secretly super easy to make.
1. The French 75 – Fancy Name, Chill Effort
This one sounds like it belongs on a yacht in Cannes, but it’s as easy as three ingredients and a pop of bubbles.
1 oz gin
½ oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
Top with Champagne or Prosecco
Shake the first three ingredients with ice, strain into a flute, top with sparkling wine, and boom — you’re classy now. Add a lemon twist if you’re feeling photogenic.
2. The Gold Rush – Whiskey’s Zesty Cousin
This modern twist on a whiskey sour is refreshing, rich, and cozy all at once.
2 oz bourbon
¾ oz lemon juice
¾ oz honey syrup (just honey mixed with warm water)
Shake it with ice, pour over a rocks glass, and sip like you belong in a leather armchair. No egg whites, no fuss — just pure golden goodness.
3. The Paloma – The Chill Margarita Alternative
Bright, tangy, and not overloaded with sugar, the Paloma is the tequila drink for people who are over the typical margarita.
2 oz tequila
½ oz lime juice
Top with grapefruit soda (Squirt, Jarritos, or Fresca)
Optional: salt rim
Build it in a tall glass over ice. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge or lime wheel if you want to pretend you’re in Tulum.
4. The Negroni – Bold, Balanced, and Foolproof
A bartender favorite, the Negroni is equal parts magic — literally.
1 oz gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz sweet vermouth
Stir with ice, strain over a big cube, and garnish with an orange peel. It looks like you spent hours crafting a complex flavor profile, but it’s basically adult juice with a bitter edge. Pro tip: swap the gin for bourbon and you’ve got a Boulevardier — equally impressive, just a little cozier.
5. The Mojito – You’re Just Muddling Mint
It looks like a spa drink but hits like a summer vacation.
2 oz white rum
1 oz lime juice
¾ oz simple syrup
Fresh mint leaves
Top with soda water
Muddle the mint with the lime juice and syrup in a tall glass. Add ice, pour in the rum, top with soda, stir. It’s refreshing, crowd-pleasing, and smells amazing — no blender or umbrella necessary.
Bonus: The Lazy Margarita That Still Slaps
If you’re not squeezing fresh limes or making your own syrup, this one still gets the job done:
2 oz tequila
1 oz store-bought lime juice
1 oz orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec)
Salt rim optional (but always encouraged)
Shake with ice and serve over a salted glass. It tastes like effort — without the effort.
You don’t need a rolling pin, absinthe rinse, or artisanal bitters from a Denver rooftop garden to make something delicious. With just a few solid bottles and simple ingredients, you can mix cocktails that feel complicated but come together in minutes.
Next time you swing by Boone’s, stock up on your staples — a solid bourbon, a good gin, some citrus, and soda — and impress your guests (or yourself) with a cocktail that looks like a flex but only took five minutes and a twist of lime.
