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What's in the cupboard

One-bottle cocktails

Every drink below needs exactly one alcoholic ingredient — buy that one bottle and you've unlocked all of it.

Not every cocktail needs a fully stocked bar — a lot of genuinely good drinks are built from a single spirit plus mixers, syrups and citrus you're more likely to already have. This page flips the usual "here's a recipe, go buy the ingredients" logic around: pick the one bottle you own, or are willing to buy, and see everything it unlocks on its own.

Grouped below by spirit, largest group first, so it's easy to see which single bottle gives you the most range. A handful of spirits only unlock one drink each in the current recipe library — those are listed together at the end rather than getting a section of their own.

Just gin

10 cocktails

Tom Collins

Gin, lemon and sugar, shaken and lengthened with soda — a tall, easy-drinking summer standby.

refreshingsoursweet
easy5 mingin
A Gimlet in a coupe glass with a pale green tint and a lime wheel garnishPhoto by alleksana on Pexels

Gimlet

Gin and lime cordial, stirred cold and clean — a short, tart classic with naval roots.

sourdrystrong
medium4 mingin
A pale pink Clover Club in a coupe glass with a frothy top and raspberries on a pickPhoto by long zhang on Pexels

Clover Club

Gin, lemon, raspberry and egg white, shaken to a pale pink froth — a pre-Prohibition classic.

sourfruitycreamy
medium6 mingin

Bee's Knees

Gin, honey syrup and lemon juice shaken bright and citrus-forward — a Prohibition-era classic.

soursweetherbal
easy4 mingin

Southside

Gin, lime and mint, shaken hard and strained up — a Prohibition-era cousin of the mojito with no soda to hide behind.

refreshingsourherbal
easy5 mingin

Gin Fizz

Gin, lemon and sugar, shaken cold and topped with soda — light, fizzy and gone in a few sips.

sourrefreshingfruity
easy5 mingin

Gin Rickey

Gin, lime and soda water, built over ice — dry, sharp and deliberately unsweetened.

sourrefreshingdry
easy3 mingin

Gin Basil Smash

Gin, lemon and a fistful of basil, muddled and shaken hard — a modern classic built entirely on fresh herb aroma.

herbalsourrefreshing
medium6 mingin

Ramos Gin Fizz

Gin, citrus, cream, egg white and orange flower water, shaken at length into a tall, silky, cloud-like fizz.

creamysourfruity
advanced10 mingin
A Gin and Tonic in a highball glass with a lime wedge and bubbles risingPhoto by Toni Cuenca on Pexels

Gin and Tonic

Gin and tonic water over ice with lime — a bittersweet, botanical two-ingredient classic.

bitterrefreshingherbal
easy2 mingin

Just vodka

8 cocktails

Moscow Mule

Vodka, lime and spicy ginger beer, served ice-cold in a frosted copper mug.

refreshingspicysour
easy3 minvodka
A Bloody Mary in a highball glass garnished with a celery stalk and lemon wedgePhoto by Gilario Guevara on Pexels

Bloody Mary

Vodka, tomato juice and a savoury shake of spice — the definitive brunch cocktail.

spicystrongsour
easy5 minvodka

Sea Breeze

Vodka, cranberry and grapefruit juice over ice — a pale pink, easy-drinking highball.

refreshingfruitysour
easy3 minvodka
A Screwdriver in a highball glass with an orange slicePhoto by Shameel mukkath on Pexels

Screwdriver

Vodka and orange juice, built over ice — about as simple as a cocktail gets, and no less good for it.

fruityrefreshingsweet
easy3 minvodka

Salty Dog

Vodka and grapefruit juice over ice in a salt-rimmed glass — sharper and more savoury than its close cousin the Greyhound.

sourrefreshingbitter
easy4 minvodka

Vodka Collins

Vodka, lemon and sugar, built long over ice and topped with soda — a tall, easy-drinking Collins for vodka drinkers.

sourrefreshingsweet
easy4 minvodka

Chi-Chi

Vodka, pineapple juice and coconut cream, blended with ice — a lighter-tasting, vodka-based cousin of the Piña Colada.

tropicalcreamysweet
easy5 minvodka
A Vodka Soda in a highball glass with a lime wedgePhoto by JEFERSON GOMES on Pexels

Vodka Soda

Vodka and soda water over ice with a citrus wedge — the simplest highball in the book, and one of the hardest to make badly.

refreshingdrystrong
easy2 minvodka

Just tequila blanco

7 cocktails
A Paloma in a highball glass with a grapefruit wedge and salted rimPhoto by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels

Paloma

Tequila and grapefruit soda over ice with a squeeze of lime — Mexico's everyday tequila highball.

refreshingsourfruity
easy3 mintequila
A Tequila Sunrise highball showing a red-to-orange gradient with grenadine settling at the bottomPhoto by Roy Muriithi on Pexels

Tequila Sunrise

Tequila and orange juice with a grenadine sunrise settling at the bottom of the glass.

fruitysweetrefreshing
easy4 mintequila

Tommy's Margarita

Tequila, lime and agave syrup — no triple sec — a cleaner, more agave-forward take on the Margarita.

sourstrongdry
easy4 mintequila

Mexican Mule

Tequila, lime and ginger beer over ice — the Moscow Mule's agave-forward cousin.

spicyrefreshingsour
easy3 mintequila
A Ranch Water in a highball glass with lime wedges and a bottle of sparkling mineral water alongside

Ranch Water

Tequila, lime and sparkling mineral water — a bone-dry, three-ingredient West Texas highball.

drysourrefreshing
easy3 mintequila
A Bloody Maria in a highball glass garnished with a celery stalk and lime wedge

Bloody Maria

Tequila in place of vodka in a classic Bloody Mary — the same savoury build with an earthier, agave-forward backbone.

spicystrongsour
easy5 mintequila

Matador

Tequila blanco shaken with pineapple and lime — a tart, tropical tequila short drink.

fruityrefreshingsour
easy5 mintequila

Just bourbon

5 cocktails
A Whiskey Sour in a rocks glass with a silky white foam and a lemon wheelPhoto by Nasim Didar on Pexels

Whiskey Sour

Bourbon, lemon and sugar, shaken with egg white for a silky foam — the original template for every 'sour'.

soursweetstrong
medium5 minwhisky
A Mint Julep in a frosted julep cup packed with crushed ice and a large mint bouquetPhoto by Picography on Pexels

Mint Julep

Bourbon, mint and crushed ice, packed into a frosted cup — the classic Kentucky sipper.

strongherbalrefreshing
medium6 minwhisky

Gold Rush

Bourbon, honey syrup and lemon, shaken and poured over one big rock — a modern whiskey-sour classic.

soursweetstrong
medium5 minwhisky

Whiskey Smash

Bourbon muddled with lemon and mint, shaken and served over crushed ice — a whiskey take on the Mojito's freshness.

refreshingsourherbal
medium6 minwhisky

John Collins

Whiskey, lemon and sugar lengthened with soda — the Tom Collins' whiskey-based older relative.

refreshingsoursweet
easy5 minwhisky

Just white rum

4 cocktails
A tall mojito in a highball glass with mint sprig and lime wheelPhoto by Milan Trninic on Pexels

Mojito

A Cuban highball of white rum, lime, mint and soda — bright, herbal and endlessly refreshing.

refreshingsourherbal
easy5 minrum
A Daiquiri in a chilled coupe glass with a lime wheelPhoto by Dextar Studio ™ on Pexels

Daiquiri

White rum, lime and sugar, shaken cold and strained up — three ingredients with nowhere to hide.

sourrefreshingstrong
easy5 minrum
A blended Piña Colada in a hurricane glass with a pineapple wedge and cherryPhoto by Marcelo Verfe on Pexels

Piña Colada

White rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream, blended smooth and cold — Puerto Rico's national drink.

tropicalsweetcreamy
easy5 minrum

Bacardí Cocktail

White rum, lime and grenadine, shaken cold — a Daiquiri with a pink, pomegranate-sweetened twist.

sourstrongfruity
easy4 minrum

Just dark rum

4 cocktails
A Dark 'n' Stormy in a highball glass showing the dark rum floated over pale ginger beerPhoto by MC G'Zay on Pexels

Dark 'n' Stormy

Dark rum floated over ginger beer and lime — a Bermudian highball with real spice and weight.

spicystrongfruity
easy3 minrum
A Painkiller in a tiki mug over crushed ice, dusted generously with fresh grated nutmegPhoto by Denys Gromov on Pexels

Painkiller

Dark rum, pineapple, orange and cream of coconut, shaken over crushed ice with fresh nutmeg — tiki's other tropical classic.

tropicalsweetcreamy
easy5 minrum

Vietnamese Coffee Cocktail

Dark rum stirred into strong iced coffee and sweetened condensed milk — a spirited take on Vietnamese cà phê sữa đá.

sweetcreamybitter
easy5 minrum
A Hot Buttered Rum in a heatproof mug with a pat of melting butter on top and a cinnamon stick

Hot Buttered Rum

Dark rum, brown sugar and melted butter stirred into hot water — a rich, warming winter classic.

sweetstrongcreamy
medium5 minrum

Just sparkling wine

3 cocktails
A pale peach-pink Bellini in a champagne flutePhoto by Sabel Blanco on Pexels

Bellini

Prosecco and white peach purée, folded together in a flute — pale, fizzy and delicately fruity.

fruityrefreshingsweet
easy4 minsparkling wine
A Mimosa in a champagne flute, pale orange and fizzingPhoto by JÉSHOOTS on Pexels

Mimosa

Sparkling wine and fresh orange juice, half and half — brunch's simplest cocktail.

fruityrefreshingdry
easy3 minsparkling wine
A pale, fizzy Hugo Spritz in a large wine glass with mint and a lime wedge

Hugo Spritz

Prosecco, elderflower cordial, soda and fresh mint over ice — a paler, more floral cousin of the Aperol Spritz.

refreshingsweetherbal
easy4 minsparkling wine

Just blended scotch

3 cocktails
A Hot Toddy in a glass mug with a clove-studded lemon wheel and steam risingPhoto by Oliver King on Pexels

Hot Toddy

Whisky, honey and lemon stirred into hot water — a warming, simple classic for cold nights.

strongsweetspicy
easy5 minwhisky
A tall Whisky Highball in a highball glass with a lemon twist and large ice cubesPhoto by George Shervashidze on Pexels

Whisky Highball

Whisky and soda water over ice — the simplest way to make good whisky last longer.

strongrefreshingdry
easy3 minwhisky

Whisky Ginger

Whisky and ginger ale over ice — a warm, spicy two-ingredient highball that never goes out of style.

spicysweetstrong
easy2 minwhisky

Just amaretto

2 cocktails
An Amaretto Sour in a rocks glass with a frothy top and a cherry garnishPhoto by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels

Amaretto Sour

Almond-sweet amaretto shaken with lemon and a whisper of egg white — nutty, tart and silky.

soursweetfruity
medium5 minliqueur led
An Amaretto Stone Sour in a rocks glass with an orange slice and cherry

Amaretto Stone Sour

Amaretto, lemon and orange juice over ice — a fruitier, egg-free cousin of the Amaretto Sour.

soursweetfruity
easy4 minliqueur led

Just gold rum

2 cocktails

Rum Punch

Rum, citrus and a hit of grenadine, built long over ice — a Caribbean beach-bar staple.

tropicalfruitysweet
easy5 minrum

Cuba Libre

Rum, cola and a squeeze of lime, built over ice — simple, but the lime is what makes it work.

refreshingsweetsour
easy3 minrum

Just irish whiskey

2 cocktails
An Irish Coffee in a footed glass with a floated cream layer on top

Irish Coffee

Hot coffee, Irish whiskey and brown sugar, topped with a float of lightly whipped cream.

strongcreamybitter
medium5 minwhisky

Hot Whiskey Cider

Irish whiskey warmed with spiced apple cider, cloves and a cinnamon stick — an autumn cousin of the classic hot toddy.

sweetspicystrong
easy5 minwhisky

Just lager

2 cocktails
A michelada in a chilli-salt-rimmed pint glass with a lime wedge

Michelada

Mexican lager built over ice with lime, tomato juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire — savoury, spicy, and endlessly adjustable.

spicysourrefreshing
easy5 minbeer

Shandy

Pale lager cut fifty-fifty with cloudy lemonade — a low-alcohol, high-refreshment pub classic.

refreshingsweetsour
easy3 minbeer

One of each

Other single-bottle options

Each of these needs just one bottle too — there's just only one recipe for it so far.

Caipirinha

Cachaça muddled with lime and sugar over crushed ice — Brazil's national drink in its rawest form.

sourstrongrefreshing
easy5 minrum

Jack Rose

Apple brandy, lime and grenadine, shaken pink — a Prohibition-era American classic.

fruitysoursweet
medium5 minbrandy

Sherry Cobbler

Sherry, sugar and fresh seasonal fruit over crushed ice — one of the oldest cocktails still served today.

fruityrefreshingsweet
easy5 minliqueur led

Pimm's Cup

Pimm's No. 1, lemonade and a garden's worth of fruit and cucumber — the quintessential English summer cup.

fruityrefreshingsweet
easy5 minliqueur led

Wine Spritzer

Chilled white wine lengthened with soda water — the simplest, lowest-alcohol way to make a glass of wine last longer.

refreshingdryfruity
easy2 minliqueur led

Amaro Sour

A bittersweet Italian amaro shaken with lemon and honey — a digestivo turned into a proper sour.

bittersoursweet
medium5 minliqueur led

Midori Sour

Midori melon liqueur shaken with lemon and a touch of sweetness — a vivid green, easy-drinking 1980s classic.

soursweetfruity
easy4 minliqueur led

Sloe Gin Fizz

Sloe gin, lemon and sugar shaken and lengthened with soda water — a fruitier, deep-red take on the classic Fizz.

sourfruityrefreshing
medium5 mingin
A mug of mulled wine with an orange slice, cinnamon stick and clovesPhoto by Daria-Yakovleva on Pixabay

Mulled Wine

Red wine gently warmed with orange, cloves and cinnamon, lifted with a splash of brandy — a mug of Christmas market in a glass.

spicysweetfruity
easy5 minliqueur led

Vermouth Spritz

Chilled vermouth lengthened with soda water and an orange twist — a genuinely low-alcohol aperitif built for long, easy sipping.

refreshingdryherbal
easy3 minliqueur led
A Garibaldi in a highball glass, deep orange with a light foam on top

Garibaldi

Campari and orange juice, and the orange juice is aerated until it is almost foam — two ingredients, one technique.

bitterfruityrefreshing
easy3 minliqueur led