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Cocktails

Our 18 Favorite Easy Built Cocktails

October 11, 2022

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Our 18 Favorite Easy Built Cocktails

October 11, 2022

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Lizzie Munro

From minimalist aperitivo classics to simple highballs and more.

A built-in-the-glass recipe not only makes for an efficient cocktail but it also acts as an invitation to experiment. In minimalist formulas from the Milano-Torino to Scotch and coconut water, the template can be a master class in homing in on one’s own tastes and preferences. Whether that drink is made bubbly with tonic water or accented with amaro, these easy cocktails require little preparation other than gathering your ingredients of choice. 

To personalize your own, here are 18 simple recipes to get started.

Milano Torino
Recipe

Milano-Torino

This two-ingredient cocktail represents the blueprint for a number of aperitivo classics.

Recipe

Ranch 616 Ranch Water

The West Texas staple was born from adding bubbly Topo Chico to extend the life of his margarita.

Frangelico Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Frangelico Old-Fashioned

This Old-Fashioned tweak substitutes the required sugar for Frangelico.

Coco Whiskey
Recipe

Vintage Coco

A citrusy spin on the classic Caribbean combination of Scotch and coconut water.

Spanish G&T
Recipe

Sarah Morrissey’s Gin & Tonic

A Spanish-style G&T with an unconventional ice garnish.

Powerful Baritone Cocktail
Recipe

Powerful Baritone

Scotch and amaro shine in this Penicillin variation.

Recipe

Americano 2.0

The classic rebooted with a few subtle tweaks.

Easy Ojen Frappe Cocktail
Recipe

Imperial Opal

Anise-flavored Ojen stacks atop absinthe, swizzled with yellow Chartreuse.

suze and tonic cocktail recipe
Recipe

Suze and Tonic

An uncomplicated low-ABV alternative to the gin and tonic.

Batavia Arrack Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Seven Seas Swizzle

A mash-up of the Queen Park Swizzle and classic punch.

Recipe

Bicicletta

A mix of Italy's favorite early evening refreshments—Campari and white wine.

What Were Into Mezcaletti
Recipe

Mezcaletti

Mezcal and Amaro Meletti—need we say more?

calvados & tonic
Recipe

Calvados & Tonic

France’s answer to the G&T.

Americano Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Seven Hills

Cocchi Americano and Amaro CioCiaro meet up.

Easy Built Cocktail
Recipe

The Brave

Mezcal, tequila, Averna and Combier unconventionally swirled together directly in a wine glass.

Banana Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Boardwalk Flyer

Aged cachaça, vermouth and banana liqueur, all swizzled together into a perfect beach drink.

Mojito Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Dan Sabo’s Mojito

Dan Sabo's simplified version of the Mojito is built in a Collins glass over crushed ice.

Recipe

Saratoga

Normandy dry cider stands in for sparkling wine in this modern spin on the Saratoga.

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