12 Drinks You Can Make at Home That Are Way Better Than the Bar
Why settle for drinks from a bar when you can make even better ones at home? These 12 homemade drinks will have you skipping the crowded bars in favor of your own kitchen. Whether you’re craving a refreshing cocktail or a cozy mocktail, these drinks bring bar-quality flavors right to your home. Perfect for any occasion, these recipes are quick to make and will have you feeling like a pro bartender in no time.
Blue Hawaii Cocktail
The Blue Hawaii Cocktail is a tropical escape you can make at home with a vibrant blend of rum, pineapple juice, and blue curacao. It’s a drink that captures the spirit of paradise and feels just as good as ordering at a bar. With its bold blue color and refreshing flavors, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s just as impressive at home as it would be at a beach bar. Try making it yourself, and you’ll never want to settle for a watered-down bar version again.
Get the Recipe: Blue Hawaii Cocktail
Amaretto Sour
Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail that brings the perfect balance of sweet and tart right to your glass. This easy-to-make drink will have you skipping the bar and heading straight to your own kitchen, where the flavors truly shine. With just amaretto, lemon juice, and a dash of bitters, you’ll have a sophisticated drink without the wait. It’s the perfect drink for any occasion, and the homemade version will definitely outdo what you find at most bars.
Get the Recipe: Amaretto Sour
Raspberry Mojito Cocktail
A Raspberry Mojito is a fresh take on the classic, packed with fruity sweetness and refreshing mint. This cocktail is easy to prepare and bursting with flavors, turning any evening into a special one without stepping foot in a bar. The combination of raspberry and lime provides a vibrant twist that’s sure to win over anyone at the table. With its simple ingredients and quick prep, you’ll have the perfect summer drink year-round, without the hefty bar tab.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Mojito Cocktail
Sex on the Beach Drink
The Sex on the Beach drink is a fun and fruity cocktail that’s perfect for any time you need a sweet escape. With vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry, and orange juice, this drink has a bold, zesty flavor that makes you feel like you’re at the best beach bar in town. Making it at home is simple, and you can control the proportions to your liking, ensuring every sip is exactly how you want it. Skip the long lines at the bar and whip up this tasty, colorful drink in just minutes.
Get the Recipe: Sex on the Beach Drink
Espresso Martini
An Espresso Martini combines the best of coffee and cocktails into one irresistible drink. It’s rich, smooth, and just the right pick-me-up for any occasion—making it way better than a typical bar cocktail. With coffee liqueur, vodka, and a shot of fresh espresso, this drink will have you rethinking your favorite coffee shop drink and opting for homemade every time. The energy boost from the espresso and the sweetness of the liqueur will make you a fan of this homemade twist on a classic.
Get the Recipe: Espresso Martini
Classic Mint Julep Cocktail
The Mint Julep is a timeless cocktail with refreshing mint and a hint of sweetness, bringing the perfect southern charm to your home. This cocktail is effortless to make and even better when enjoyed in the comfort of your own space, making bar trips unnecessary. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or relaxing on a lazy afternoon, it’s a drink that’s both classy and simple to recreate at home. You won’t need to wait for derby season to enjoy this year-round favorite.
Get the Recipe: Classic Mint Julep Cocktail
Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail
A Smoked Old Fashioned is a twist on the classic that brings an intriguing depth to the traditional cocktail. With a smoky finish, this drink is easily recreated at home, saving you from overpriced bar versions. The combination of whiskey, bitters, and smoke creates a rich and complex flavor that’s perfect for whiskey lovers. This is a drink you’ll want to perfect at home, as it’s as much about the experience as it is about the taste.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail
Empress 1908 Gin Sour Cocktail
The Empress 1908 Gin Sour is an elegant, bold cocktail that you can make at home for a taste that’s bar-worthy and beyond. With its captivating purple hue from the Empress gin and the tartness of lemon, this drink is both striking and delicious. It’s the kind of cocktail that gives you a feeling of sophistication, without needing a bar’s fancy price tag. Enjoy it whenever you crave a beautifully balanced, flavorful drink that you can easily whip up at home.
Get the Recipe: Empress 1908 Gin Sour Cocktail
Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine
Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine brings the cozy, warming spices of traditional mulled wine without any alcohol, perfect for all ages. It’s a drink that transports you to cold winter nights by the fire, with flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest. Making it at home ensures you can adjust the spice levels to suit your taste and enjoy this comforting drink year-round. Skip the hassle of bar crowds and enjoy the deep flavors of mulled wine from your own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine
Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail
A Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail is a simple yet elegant drink that adds a touch of sparkle to any occasion. With just champagne and pomegranate juice, this drink combines effervescence with a refreshing tartness. It’s the perfect celebratory drink, but you don’t have to wait for a special event to enjoy it at home. Skip the high prices at the bar and enjoy this gorgeous cocktail on your own terms, anytime you please.
Get the Recipe: Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail
Non-Alcoholic Blueberry Kir Royale
The Non-Alcoholic Blueberry Kir Royale offers all the class of the original, with none of the alcohol. The combination of sparkling water and blueberry juice makes this mocktail a refreshing treat that’s perfect for any celebration. It’s a drink that makes you feel fancy without leaving you tipsy, allowing you to enjoy the celebration at your own pace. With just a few ingredients, this mocktail will have you thinking twice about skipping a homemade version of a classic.
Get the Recipe: Non-Alcoholic Blueberry Kir Royale
Jenessa’s Cadillac Margarita
Jenessa’s Cadillac Margarita is a top-shelf version of the traditional margarita, perfect for impressing guests with its fresh lime and smooth tequila blend. The quality of this homemade drink surpasses anything you’ll find at a bar, thanks to the addition of Grand Marnier and a salted rim. This margarita brings a burst of flavors that you’ll be able to perfect every time at home. Skip the bar’s version, and treat yourself to a true Cadillac Margarita made right in your own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Jenessa’s Cadillac Margarita