You may not be able to join us for Cocktail Hour here at the Water Tower, but that doesn’t mean you have to resort to drinking *gasp* unmixed drinks.

To help you make it through until your favourite bartenders are back mixing, shaking and generally whipping up creative cocktails, we’ve got a few simple recipes for tasty mixed drinks at home – without investing in a bar of bottles that will only collect dust.

So, without further ado…

Our favourite, simple cocktail recipes

The Old Fashioned

Classic, delicious, and easy as punch to make, The Old Fashioned is the cocktail that predates cocktails – and has defined mixed drinks for years (and in some minds still does). There are a ton of variations on The Old Fashioned (including swapping a sugar cube for simple syrup), but to keep things straightforward, we’re going full-on classic behind the bar (and your screen).

Ingredients:

• Whiskey (bourbon or rye are traditional)
• Angostura Bitters
• Sugar
• An orange

Step 1

Place a sugar cube (or a couple of teaspoons of sugar) in a rocks glass (or whatever glassware you have available).

Step 2

Saturate your sugar with Angostura Bitters, then smash it with a spoon until it dissolves (more or less).

Step 3

Drop a couple of ice cubes in your glass, then pour 1 1/2 shots of whiskey over them. Give it a good stir.

Step 4

This is the metaphorical cherry on top, and makes a bigger difference than you might think – peel off a good chunk of orange peel and ‘express the oils’ (aka double it over and squeeze it) over the drink.

That’s all folks.

Margarita

Few drinks take you to the seashore quite as quickly as the classic Margarita (though the next drink is just as tropical). As fancy as it seems (especially when blended or offered in a million different flavours) a classic margarita is comprised of just three ingredients. So, why not try one at home?

Ingredients:

• Tequila
• A couple of limes
• Triple Sec (which include Cointreau and Grand Marnier)
• Coarse salt

Step 1

Salt the rim of a rocks glass. To do this, use a wedge of lime to moisten the rim, then roll the rim in coarse salt.

Step 2

Throw a couple ice cubes into that rocks glass, then add the juice of one whole lime.

Step 3

Add two shots of tequila and a shot of triple sec.

Step 4

Mix, turn on some Mexican tunes – and enjoy!

Daiquiri

Another tropical favourite, the Daiquiri is the perfect drink to go along with your dreams of sunset beaches. Much like most of these cocktails, the Daiquiri has made a name for itself by creating magic with three simple ingredients.

Ingredients:

• Fresh lime
• Rum
• Simple syrup

Step 1

Make your simple syrup by adding a cup of sugar to a cup of boiling water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then let cool. Simple syrup will last up to a month in the fridge.

Step 2

Add 1/2 – 3/4 of a shot of simple syrup (to taste) to a rocks glass with ice in it.

Step 3

Add 3/4 shot of lime juice (about half a big lime or a whole small lime)

Step 4

Add a 1 1/2 shots of rum, stir, kick back and enjoy!

Gin Rickey

Most of the above cocktails are pretty potent potables. For those looking for an easier sipping concoction, the Gin Rickey might just be your answer.

Ingredients

• Gin
• Fresh lime
• Sparkling water

Step 1

Juice half a lime (about half a shot) into a collins glass (or any tall glass) over ice.

Step 2

Add a shot of gin.

Step 3

Top it all up with sparkling water then give it a gentle stir.

Step 4

If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with a lime wheel, or just start sipping.

Lemon Drop

This is perhaps the fanciest (looking) drink on this menu, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to make. To really impress your friends (aka, on Instagram), serve it ‘up’ (aka, in a martini glass) and garnish it with a ‘twist’ (aka, lemon peel).

Ingredients:

• Fresh lemon
• Sugar
• Simple syrup
• Vodka

Step 1

Rim your martini glass with sugar (follow the directions for salt rimming above, except use lemon and sugar)

Step 2

Grab a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice, then pour over 2 shots of vodka, a shot of lemon juice and 1/2 to 3/4 shot of simple syrup.

Step 3

Shake it like a polaroid picture until the shaker is cold, and begins to perspire.

Step 4

Strain the mixture into your rimmed glass and enjoy this bright and beautiful drink!