A newsletter for the industry pro (or aspiring pro).

Cocktails

Our Favorite Three-Ingredient Cocktails

April 06, 2022

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Our Favorite Three-Ingredient Cocktails

April 06, 2022

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Lizzie Munro

From lesser-known modern classics to unlikely crowd-pleasers, here are the triptych cocktails to try right now.

Easy to make and easy to remember, the three-ingredient cocktail formula has stood the test of time for a reason. From the Daiquiri to the Negroni, the canon of classics is riddled with triptych cocktails that inspire obsession, while leaving plenty of room for innovation. Case in point: Joaquín Simó’s Midnight Marauder, which swaps each of the Negroni’s three ingredients to make a smokier, gentian-bitter drink that’s true to the equal-parts build of the original; or Tommy Klus’ French Connection, which trades the Boulevardier’s typical Campari for the softer Avèze. Indeed, each piece of the three-ingredient puzzle is an opportunity to apply the Mr. Potato Head approach of drink creation, substituting different ingredients into a timeless template to land on something entirely new. From lesser-known modern classics to unlikely crowd-pleasers, here are some of our favorites of the three-ingredient format.

Alberto Martini Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Alberto

A Martini-adjacent classic awaiting its comeback.

midnight marauder
Recipes

Midnight Marauder

An unexpected spin on the Negroni featuring mezcal, Bonal and Cynar.

Yellow Parrot Absinthe Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Yellow Parrot

An unlikely, equal-parts combination of absinthe, yellow Chartreuse and apricot liqueur.

Little Italy Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Little Italy

Audrey Sanders' modern classic take on the Manhattan.

Gold Rush Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Gold Rush

Honey syrup shines in this Whiskey Sour update.

Three Ingredient Sherry Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Remember the Alimony

One of the few sherry-based modern classics.

Genepy Whiskey Highball
Recipes

High Altitude Highball

Herbal génépy adds alpine flavor to this riff on the whisky highball.

Bitter Handshake
Recipes

Bitter Handshake

An after-dinner Fernet Old-Fashioned brightened with a blood orange reduction.

Recipes

Alaska

This rendition dates to 1914 and calls on a base of Old Tom gin.

French Connection Cocktail
Recipes

French Connection

A smoky, gentian-inflected take on the Boulevardier.

Recipes

Chrysanthemum #2

An improved Chrysanthemum with less absinthe and more citrus.

The Slope Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

The Slope

The house Manhattan at Brooklyn's Clover Club displays a signature apricot note.

Blinker Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Blinker

A full ounce of grenadine complements grapefruit juice and a rye base.

Cafe Royal Matador Recipe
Recipes

Café Royal’s Matador

The forgotten tequila classic.

Armagnac Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Et Moi Je Te Dis Maud

A trio of armagnac, Chartreuse and maraschino yields a rich, enveloping result.

gin blossom cocktail recipe
Recipes

Gin Blossom

Julie Reiner's aromatic play on the Martini with apricot eau de vie, bianco vermouth and gin.

Kingston Negroni
Recipes

Kingston Negroni

Joaquín Simó's funky spin on the Negroni.

Recipes

Old Pal

Harry MacElhone credited his “old pal” and barfly William “Sparrow” Robertson with the inspiration for this drink.

Related Articles