All cocktails are mixed drinks, but not all mixed drinks are considered cocktails! Take a look at our selection of the best mixed drinks out there. Easy to make at home or to order at a bar!
Are mixed drinks the same as cocktails? “Cocktail” refers to a specific recipe with multiple ingredients balanced for flavor, while “mixed drink” is a general term for any beverage made by combining two or more drink components.
Some of the drinks listed below, like the White Russian or Dark ‘N’ Stormy, toe the line between what one might consider a “mixed drink” and a “cocktail,” as the categorization can be somewhat subjective and cultural.
Overall, the mixed drinks we put in the list below are often simpler regarding ingredients and preparation than cocktails, which typically involve a more complex mix of spirits, liqueurs, and various flavorings. Mixed drinks generally are ‘built’ directly in the glass without shaking or stirring, as often with the best cocktails.
The mixed drinks we cover below include some of the most well-known spirits: vodka, tequila, whiskey, gin, and rum, offering something for every palate. All blends are alcoholic drinks and popular combinations you can confidently order at any bar or make on any occasion. It’s worth noting that our in-house team of seasoned bartenders and industry experts meticulously compiled this list. Their expertise ensures that these aren’t just good mixed drinks but truly great ones that stand out in cocktails.
Our top 5 best-mixed drinks: Our absolute top pick at Drinks World is the Screwdriver, with its bright and zesty mix of vodka and orange juice. Right on its heels is the Cape Codder, known to some as the vodka cranberry, which always delivers a tart and refreshing taste. The Gin and Tonic is our timeless choice, combining the herbal hints of gin with the crispness of tonic. The John Collins is always a crowd-pleaser with its bubbly mix of whiskey and lemon. And for those times we crave something a bit bold, the Campari Soda, with its unique bitter touch, is our go-to.
List of Best Mixed Drinks in 2024
Screwdriver
The Screwdriver is a drink that mixes vodka with orange juice. It’s easy to make, and its combination of citrus and alcohol gives it a refreshing kick. Many enjoy it on hot days or brunches because of its light and zesty flavor.
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a drink that blends either vodka or gin with grapefruit juice. This mix creates a slightly tangy and refreshing flavor. It’s a great choice for those who like a bit of tartness in their drink, and it’s often enjoyed with a salted rim for an extra twist.
Cape Codder
The Cape Codder combines vodka with the tartness of cranberry juice. It’s often served over ice and garnished with a slice of lime. Its name pays homage to the cranberry bogs in the Cape Cod region.
Rum and Cola
The Rum and Cola is a classic combination of rich, sweet rum paired with fizzy cola. This duo creates a smooth and refreshing drink, often garnished with a lime wedge for an added citrusy kick. It’s a favorite at parties and bars worldwide.
Seven and Seven (7 and 7)
The Seven and Seven mixes Seagram’s 7 whiskey with 7 Up soda. Its blend of crisp soda with the warmth of whiskey makes it a popular choice for those seeking a simple yet flavorful drink. The bubbly texture and slightly sweet taste make it stand out.
Gin and Tonic
The Gin and Tonic is a timeless drink that pairs gin’s unique botanical flavors with tonic water’s quinine bitterness. It’s often served with a slice of lime or lemon and offers a refreshing and slightly bitter experience. It is a perfect choice for many on a hot day or as a palate cleanser.
Vodka Red Bull
The Vodka Red Bull combines the clarity of vodka with the sweet and tangy energy drink Red Bull. This mix gives a burst of energy, making it a go-to choice for late-night party-goers. Its sweet taste and caffeine kick have made it a modern favorite, especially among younger crowds.
Scotch and Soda
Scotch and soda is a straightforward drink that marries the deep, smoky flavors of Scotch whisky with the crisp effervescence of soda water. This combination is appreciated by those who want to enjoy the distinct taste of Scotch with a bubbly twist, making it smoother and more refreshing.
Gin Rickey
The Gin Rickey mixes gin with fresh lime juice and carbonated water. Its combination of botanical gin flavors, the tartness of lime, and the fizzy soda creates a refreshing and light drink. It’s a classic that is perfect for hot days or relaxed evenings.
Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise is a visually stunning drink known for its vibrant layers of color. Combining tequila with orange juice and a splash of grenadine, it offers a mix of citrusy and sweet flavors and presents a beautiful sunrise gradient in the glass.
Bourbon and Ginger Ale
The Bourbon and Ginger Ale drink combines the rich, caramel notes of bourbon with the spicy-sweet flavors of ginger ale. It’s served over ice and often garnished with a lemon or lime slice. This mix is both aromatic and tantalizing to the taste buds, making it a favorite for those who enjoy a balance of sweet and spicy drinks.
Dark ‘n’ Stormy
The Dark’ n’ Stormy is a dramatic and flavorful drink that pairs dark rum with spicy ginger beer. It’s topped off with a slice of lime and a stormy appearance created by the deep color of the rum floating atop the bubbly ginger beer. It’s a drink known for its sweetness, spice, and tanginess balance.
Sloe Gin Fizz
The Sloe Gin Fizz is a frothy and light drink that blends sloe gin—a red liqueur made from the sloe berry—with lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. Shaken until it’s foamy, it’s a bubbly and slightly tart cocktail perfect for a light-hearted toast or a brunch setting.
Pisco Highball
The Pisco Highball merges the grape-based spirit of Pisco with soda water and a splash of lemon or lime juice. It’s a crisp and slightly aromatic drink. The citrus kick enhances its refreshing quality, making it a favored choice for many in warm climates.
Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a refreshing drink that combines vodka, spicy ginger beer, and fresh lime juice. It’s served in a distinctive copper mug and is known for its invigorating taste. The combination gives it a spicy kick offset by the tangy lime, making it a beloved cocktail for many.
Vodka Lemonade
Vodka Lemonade is a simple, summery blend of vodka and lemonade. It’s straightforward and refreshing, making it a favorite for picnics, barbecues, or any sunny day. The vodka’s neutrality lets the bright, citrusy flavors of the lemonade shine, offering a cool respite on hot days.
John Collins
The John Collins classic combines whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. This tall, refreshing drink resembles a whiskey sour topped with soda. Its blend of sweet, sour, and fizzy elements makes it a delightful choice for those seeking a spirited yet light beverage.
Cranberry Vodka Spritzer
The Cranberry Vodka Spritzer is a bubbly and tart drink combining vodka, cranberry juice, and sparkling water or soda. The bubbly spritzer softens the sharp cranberry taste, making it a refreshing drink perfect for any event or relaxed drink.
Gin and Bitter Lemon
The Gin and Bitter Lemon pairs the botanical notes of gin with the sharp, quinine and rich flavor of bitter lemon soda. This combination creates a crisp and tangy drink, perfect for those who enjoy a beverage with a bite. Its refreshing nature makes it a popular choice on warmer days.
Rum Punch
Rum Punch is a tropical and vibrant blend, typically combining rum with fruit juices (like pineapple, orange, and lime). Often, a touch of grenadine is added for sweetness and color. It’s served over ice and frequently adorned with fruit slices. This drink captures the essence of a Caribbean getaway with its fruity and boozy profile.
Campari Soda
Campari Soda is the union of Campari’s bitter, herbaceous flavors with the effervescence of soda water. Its striking red hue and unique bittersweet taste make it a favorite aperitif for many, especially in its Italian homeland.
Sake Highball
The Sake Highball combines the delicate, rice-derived flavors of sake with the fizz of carbonated water. This drink is fresh and easy to drink, letting the sake’s taste stand out with a nice bubbly touch.
Amaretto and Coke
Amaretto and Coke is a sweet and fizzy combination where the almond and cherry notes of Amaretto liqueur harmoniously blend with the caramel undertones of cola. This drink is served over ice and provides a dessert-like experience.
Black Russian
The Black Russian is a simple yet robust cocktail that combines vodka and coffee liqueur, typically Kahlúa. Its rich coffee flavor matches its deep, dark appearance, with the vodka adding a crisp bite. It’s a drink that’s perfect for coffee lovers.
Peach Highball
The Peach Highball combines peach liqueur or peach-flavored spirits with soda water or ginger ale. The result is a bubbly and fruity drink with a pronounced peach flavor, lightened by the effervescence of the mixer. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a sweet and airy beverage.
Aperol Spritz
This is an iconic Italian aperitif. The Aperol Spritz is a refreshing blend of Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of soda water. Its bright orange hue and bittersweet taste, combined with the bubbly Prosecco, make it a popular choice for summer evenings and gatherings. Usually paired with an orange slice, this drink reminds you of a sunset in Italy.
Apple Whiskey Highball
The Apple Whiskey Highball is a crisp and aromatic blend of apple-flavored whiskey with soda water or ginger ale. This highball showcases the warmth of whiskey and the fruity sweetness of apple, rounded off by the bubbly mixer. It’s a drink that tastes like fall in a glass.
Vodka Cran-Orange
The Vodka Cran-Orange is a delightful blend of vodka, cranberry, and orange. The drink’s combination balances cranberry tartness and orange’s citrusy sweetness, with vodka providing a clean backdrop. It’s served over ice and is a refreshing choice that fuses two beloved fruit flavors.
Mint Julep
This is a Southern classic. The Mint Julep mixes bourbon, fresh mint leaves, sugar, and water. It’s traditionally served in a chilled silver or pewter cup. This drink is all about the aromatic mint, sugar’s sweetness, and bourbon’s warmth. It’s especially popular during the Kentucky Derby.
Cachaça and Soda
Cachaça and soda merge the robust flavors of Cachaça, a Brazilian spirit made from sugarcane juice, with the light effervescence of soda water. The drink is a straightforward showcase of Cachaça’s unique taste profile, brightened by the bubbly soda.
Tequila and Grapefruit Soda
This drink pairs the distinctive bite of tequila with the slightly bitter and citrusy flavors of grapefruit soda. Together, they make a fresh and tangy drink, giving a new spin to the usual tequila drink.
Pimm’s Highball
The Pimm’s Highball features Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based liqueur combined with lemonade or ginger ale. With Pimm’s herbal and fruity taste and the drink’s bubbles, this highball is a favorite British summer drink, usually served with fruits and cucumber.
Melon Ball Highball
The Melon Ball Highball mixes melon liqueur, typically Midori, with vodka and a splash of pineapple or orange juice. This bright green drink is sweet and fresh, tasting like a tropical holiday.
Gin Fizz
The Gin Fizz is a classic cocktail that combines gin with lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. Shaken until frothy, the drink is known for its light and airy texture. The effervescence from the soda and the tang from the lemon create a refreshing balance with the gin’s botanicals, making it a timeless favorite.
Rum Runner
The Rum Runner is a tropical concoction featuring a blend of dark rum, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, and citrus juices, often finished with a float of 151-proof rum. Its fruity components capture the essence of the Caribbean, resulting in a rich and compelling sweet drink.
Kamikaze
The Kamikaze is a sharp and zesty cocktail that mixes vodka, triple sec (or another orange liqueur), and lime juice. It’s shaken and usually served in a shot glass, offering a blend of citrusy sweetness with the clarity of vodka.
Rye and Ginger
This drink is a straightforward pairing of rye whiskey with ginger ale. The spicy notes of the rye are complemented by the sweet and slightly pungent flavors of the ginger ale. It’s a refreshing take on a whiskey highball, loved for its spicy-sweet juxtaposition.
Lime Rickey
The Lime Rickey is a fizzy and tart beverage made from fresh lime juice, sugar or simple syrup, and soda water. It can also be spiked with gin or vodka for an extra kick. It’s a fizzy, sour drink for quenching thirst on hot days.
Tequila and Soda
Tequila and soda is a crisp and clean combination, combining the distinct agave flavors of tequila with the bubbly simplicity of soda water. It’s a minimalistic drink served over ice and often accompanied by a lime wedge.
Looking for even more? Check out our selection of easy cocktails with simple recipes.
Canned mixed drinks
Regarding pre-mixed and pre-made canned drinks, a few standout brands have gained popularity for delivering convenience without compromising taste. One such brand is “Cutwater Spirits,” offering a wide range of canned cocktails, from classic Margaritas and Moscow Mules to unique creations like the spicy Bloody Mary. Cutwater is committed to using real, high-quality ingredients in their cocktails, resulting in authentic and enjoyable flavors. The Margarita, for example, has a perfect balance of tequila, lime, and a hint of orange liqueur.
Another top contender is “High Noon Sun Sips.” Known for their crisp and refreshing vodka-based drinks with real fruit juice, High Noon offers flavors like Watermelon and Pineapple that are particularly refreshing on a hot day. Using real fruit juice gives these canned cocktails a natural sweetness without relying on artificial flavors.
If you’re seeking a more classic experience, “On the Rocks” is a brand worth trying. They offer canned versions of well-known cocktails like the Old Fashioned and Margarita. These drinks stay true to their traditional recipes, with quality ingredients and a convenient, enjoyable format.
For a taste of the tropics, “Malibu” offers pre-mixed canned cocktails featuring their signature coconut rum. Their Piña Colada and Tropical Sea Breeze cocktails bring a touch of the Caribbean to your fingertips, making them perfect choices for a relaxed day in the sun.
Popular brands used for good mixed drinks
Here are some of the top brands known for making great mixed drinks. They each have their own special story and flavor, making them popular in bars and homes all over the world:
Crown Royal
Crown Royal is a famous Canadian whisky that started in 1939 when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Canada. It’s recognizable by its purple bag and known for its smooth taste. A lot of whisky fans around the world like it.
Fireball
Fireball is a spicy cinnamon whisky from Canada that’s both sweet and strong. It reminds people of hot candy. Many enjoy it as a quick drink or in mixed drinks, and it’s known to warm you up when it’s chilly outside.
Malibu
Malibu is a rum based liqueur from the Caribbean that tastes like coconut. Drinking it feels like you’re on a sunny beach during summer. It’s great for mixing drinks and has a sweet taste many people love.
Hennessy
Hennessy is a famous brand of cognac from France, specifically from the Cognac region. It’s been around since 1765, making high-quality drinks. Many people who know their drinks love Hennessy for its history, the care put into making it, and its smooth flavor. Whether you drink it straight or mix it in a drink, Hennessy is about quality and tradition.
Bacardi
Bacardi is a well-known rum that comes from Cuba and started in 1862. The bat on its logo stands for luck, family, and togetherness. With its light taste, Bacardi is used in many popular drinks like the Mojito and the Daiquiri. Its consistent quality and long history have made it a common choice in bars everywhere.
Jack Daniels
Jack Daniels is a whiskey representing the American state of Tennessee and was established in 1866. It is unique in how it uses charcoal to refine it. Jack Daniels gives you a taste that reminds you of the southern parts of the U.S. You can enjoy it by itself, over ice, or mixed in drinks like ‘Jack and Coke.’ It’s a drink that shows the skill and history behind it.
Jameson
Jameson is a popular whiskey from Ireland. It was founded in Dublin in 1780 and has a long history tied to tradition and good-making practices. Jameson is known for its smooth taste that many whiskey lovers worldwide enjoy. People drink it neat, mix it in drinks, or add water.
Patron
Patron is a top-notch tequila from Mexico. It’s known for being made well, from picking the best blue agave plants to how it’s bottled. The tequila’s clear and fresh taste makes it a favorite for drinking straight or fancy drinks. When you drink Patron, you’re having a high-quality experience.
Red Bull
Red Bull is a famous energy drink from Austria, started in the 1980s. Its can, colored silver and blue, is easily recognizable. The drink is known to give people a burst of energy. Besides being a drink, Red Bull is also involved in sports and entertainment events.
Baileys
Baileys is a creamy drink from Ireland that mixes cream and whiskey. It was first made in 1974. The drink is smooth, sweet, and perfect over ice or desserts. Baileys has become a favorite for special moments or celebrations.
Captain Morgan
Captain Morgan is a well-known rum brand, easily recognized by its pirate logo on the bottle. The brand is named after a historic sailor and is mainly known for its spiced rum variety. This rum has a unique blend of flavors that many enjoy. Besides the spiced version, Captain Morgan offers other rum types. It’s a frequent choice in mixed drinks, especially in classics like ‘Rum and Coke.’ For those after a flavorful drink with a touch of adventure, Captain Morgan is a top pick.
Tito’s Vodka
Tito’s vodka is a well-known American brand that has made a mark with its handmade production. It was started in Austin, Texas, by Tito Beveridge in the 1990s. It’s made from corn and doesn’t have gluten. Many people appreciate Tito’s Vodka for its high quality and pure taste. The simple bottle contains a vodka that many love, whether they drink it straight, over ice, or in mixed drinks.
Ciroc
Ciroc is a special kind of vodka that comes from France and is made from grapes. This makes its taste different and very smooth. Sean “Diddy” Combs and the company Diageo created Ciroc, and it quickly became a top vodka choice. The stylish bottle and the variety of flavors, from plain to fruity, make Ciroc stand out from other vodkas.
Also interesting to read:
- A complete overview of Popular Alcoholic drinks and Beverages.
- A complete guide about Types of Alcohol and Liquors.
More popular mixed drinks
Check out our recipes collections pages where we mix up a variety of options with different spirits. We offer everything from smooth vodka to rich bourbon, each adding its own special touch. Whatever your taste or occasion, you’ll find a favorite recipe in our selection:
Vodka mixed drinks
Scotch mixed drinks
Also interesting…
- Due to the increase in popularity, we dedicated a whole section to non-alcoholic mixed drinks and low-calorie mixed drinks.
- Fruity mixed drinks come in many fun colors. Check our pages about red drinks and blue cocktails.
