There are two universal truths in college — people want to drink, and they want their drinks cheap. If you’re in the mood for a fun, low-effort drink and don’t feel like spending $15 at an overpriced bar, whip up one of these simple cocktails.
- Highball
Though wildly simple, the combination of ginger ale and whiskey makes for a refreshing drink. This drink can easily be dressed up with a top-shelf whiskey, but is satisfying at any price point.
While this cocktail is typically served in a “highball” glass, a red solo cup works just as well.
Ingredients:
- Two ounces whiskey
- Six ounces ginger ale
- Optional: splash of club soda
Add ice to a glass, add the whiskey, then the ginger ale, stir and enjoy! Optionally, top it off with club soda for extra fizz.
- Spiced Cherry
Popular in Puerto Rico, the Spiced Cherry is a dressed-up Rum and Coke. This recipe is perfect for fans of the college classic who are looking for a fun, new twist. One of the easiest cocktails on the list, this drink only requires two ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Two ounces spiced rum
- Six ounces Cherry Coke
- Optional: maraschino cherries
Add ice to a glass, add the spiced rum, top it off with Cherry Coke and stir. If you are feeling extra fancy, add a cherry as a tasty garnish.
- Strawberry Vodka Lemonade
Perfect for the approaching warm weather, the Strawberry Vodka Lemonade is the cocktail to cool you down. With the options of buying strawberry lemonade from the grocery store or making everything from scratch, this recipe is as complex as you make it.
Ingredients:
- Two ounces vodka
- Six ounces lemonade (regular or strawberry-flavored)
- Strawberries, sliced
Add sliced strawberries to a glass and muddle (mash). Add ice, vodka and lemonade, then stir. Garnish with sliced strawberries or a lemon twist.
- Salty Dog
The Salty Dog is a tart treat that is perfect for citrus lovers. Another elevated classic, this cocktail brings a fresh twist to the classic Paloma. This recipe is flexible, as you can make it with either gin or vodka.
Ingredients:
- Two ounces vodka or gin
- Four to 6 ounces grapefruit juice
- Optional: twist of lime
Add ice to a glass, then pour in either vodka or gin, followed by the grapefruit juice. If you have limes on hand, add a twist for an extra citrusy taste.
- Cape Codder
The Cape Codder is essentially a grown-up version of a vodka cranberry. The tart cranberry juice pairs well with the bright lime, making for a tantalizing drink. This cocktail is perfect for both a night out and a sunny day.
Ingredients:
- Two ounces vodka
- Six ounces cranberry juice
- Half ounce lime juice
Add ice to a glass, then add the vodka, lime and cranberry juice. Stir and enjoy.
- Black Russian
Similar to an Espresso Martini, a Black Russian is a sharp, coffee-based drink. It’s the perfect combination of alcohol and caffeine to power your dance moves all night long. If you don’t have coffee liqueur on hand, you can brew coffee to use as a substitute.
Ingredients:
- Two ounces vodka
- One ounce coffee liqueur
Add ice to a glass, then add vodka and coffee liqueur (or coffee) and stir to combine.
