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Cocktail recipes to try at home

By Cocktail Chart editors · Updated 2026-07-16 · ~3 min read

In the mood to mix? Here are 5 new recipes to try, including Manhattan, Espresso Martini, Mai Tai. Each one lists the ingredients, times and step-by-step instructions so you can follow along easily.

Manhattan

Prep4 min
Total time4 min
Servings1 cocktail
DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

  • 2 oz rye whiskey
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 brandied cherry, for garnish
  • Ice, for stirring

Instructions

  1. Add the rye, sweet vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
  2. Stir for about 20-30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
  4. Garnish with a brandied cherry and serve immediately.

Tips

  • Bourbon works in place of rye for a rounder, softer flavour.
  • A 2:1 whiskey-to-vermouth ratio is standard; use 3:1 for a drier drink.

Espresso Martini

Prep5 min
Total time5 min
Servings1 cocktail
DifficultyMedium

Ingredients

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz fresh espresso, freshly brewed and cooled slightly
  • 0.5 oz coffee liqueur
  • 0.25 oz simple syrup
  • 3 coffee beans, for garnish
  • Ice, for shaking

Instructions

  1. Add the vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake hard for 15-20 seconds to build a good foam.
  3. Double-strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
  4. Float three coffee beans on the foam and serve right away.

Tips

  • Fresh, hot-brewed espresso creates the best foam; instant coffee gives a thinner texture.
  • Adjust the simple syrup up or down depending on how sweet your coffee liqueur is.

Mai Tai

Prep5 min
Total time5 min
Servings1 cocktail
DifficultyMedium

Ingredients

  • 2 oz aged rum
  • 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
  • 0.5 oz orange curacao
  • 0.5 oz orgeat (almond syrup)
  • 0.25 oz simple syrup
  • Mint sprig and spent lime shell, for garnish
  • Crushed ice

Instructions

  1. Add the rum, lime juice, curacao, orgeat and simple syrup to a shaker with a scoop of crushed ice.
  2. Shake briefly, about 8-10 seconds, just to chill and combine.
  3. Pour unstrained into a rocks glass and top with more crushed ice.
  4. Garnish with a mint sprig and the spent lime shell.

Tips

  • A blend of aged and dark rum adds depth if you have both.
  • Squeeze the lime, then drop the shell in so the mint aroma sits over the drink.

Moscow Mule

Prep3 min
Total time3 min
Servings1 cocktail
DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • 4 oz ginger beer
  • 1 lime wedge, for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Fill a copper mug or highball glass with ice.
  2. Add the vodka and lime juice.
  3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently once to combine.
  4. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.

Tips

  • Use ginger beer rather than ginger ale for a proper spicy kick.
  • Swap vodka for dark rum to make it a Dark 'n' Stormy-style variation.

French 75

Prep4 min
Total time4 min
Servings1 cocktail
DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

  • 1 oz gin
  • 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz simple syrup
  • 3 oz Champagne or dry sparkling wine, chilled
  • 1 lemon twist, for garnish
  • Ice, for shaking

Instructions

  1. Shake the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice for about 10 seconds.
  2. Strain into a chilled Champagne flute.
  3. Top slowly with cold Champagne.
  4. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

Tips

  • Keep the sparkling wine well chilled so it holds its bubbles.
  • A dry brut sparkling wine balances the sweetness best.

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