11 3-Ingredient Cocktails Perfect for Day Drinking

Think beyond mimosas and bloody Marys and serve these delicious brunch cocktails instead. The best part? Each one has only 3 ingredients.

By: Liz Gray and Hannah Slaughter

Show: Lazy Entertainer

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Photo By: Hannah Slaughter

©Hannah Slaughter

Photo By: Hannah Slaughter

©Hannah Slaughter

Photo By: Hannah Slaughter

The Bee's Knees

This prohibition-era drink gets its name from a common slang term of the day; "the bee's knees" meant "the best," and this simpel cocktail doesn't disappoint.

MAKE IT: Heat 2 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons water until honey dissolves. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add gin, honey mixture and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Shake to mix, then strain into an old-fashioned martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Smoke + Spice Sipper

Offer this smoky, spicy drink up to bloody Mary devotees.

MAKE IT: Chop 1 strip bacon and let steep in bourbon for 10 minutes to 1 hour. Strain bacon bits. Fill a rocks glass with ice, then add 1.5 ounces bourbon and top with ginger beer. Garnish with second strip of bacon.

French 75 Float

Turn this classic cocktail into an icy float with the addition of lemony sorbet.

MAKE IT: Add a scoop of lemon sorbet to a champagne flute. Add gin, then top with sparkling wine.

Black + Berry Beer

This warm-weather twist on a black-and-tan combines chocolate stout with fruity raspberry lambic.

MAKE IT: In a pint glass, add the raspberry lambic. Using a spoon, pour the chocolate stout over the top of the lambic to create a layered effect. Top with fresh raspberries.

Elderflower Shandy

Fancy up wheat beer for brunch with a splash of elderflower liqueur and lemon.

MAKE IT: Mix elderflower liqueur with 1 ounce fresh lemon juice. Top with wheat beer and garnish with a lemon twist.

Strawberries-and-Cream Fizz

Strawberries and cream is a summer classic, but just wait until you've had it in cocktail form. Sparkling rose and muddled berries give this drink a blush pink hue.

MAKE IT: Muddle 3 hulled and sliced strawberries in the bottom of a glass. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Top with sparkling rose.

The Hummingbird

Sweet and fizzy, this cocktail is almost as delicate as its namesake bird.

MAKE IT: In a high-ball glass, add ice and elderflower liqueur. Top with 3 ounces each of sparkling wine and lemon soda.

Blushing Orange IPA

For those who love the bitter hop notes in IPA beers, deep crimson Campari adds a layer of citrusy bitterness. (And a cool red color, too!)

MAKE IT: Add a handful of ice to a rocks glass, then add Campari and a squeeze of orange. Top with IPA and an orange wedge.

Spiked Thai Tea

Strong, sweet and spiked, this is a brunch drink that wakes you up and packs a punch.

MAKE IT: Brew 6 ounces strong black tea, then remove tea bag and let cool to room temperature. Add ice to a high-ball glass. Mix black tea and sweetened condensed milk. Top with white rum.

Blackberry-Mint Julep

This twist on the mint julep uses blackberry jam to sweeten the mix and add deep purple color.

MAKE IT: Muddle 5 mint leaves with blackberry jam. Add bourbon, crushed ice and a mint leaf garnish.

Lemon-Thyme Soda

Don't forget a sip just for the non-drinkers in your crowd. This fancier take on lemonade is perfect for a warm day.

MAKE IT: Mix simple syrup and lemon juice in a high-ball glass. Top with soda water and lemon-thyme garnish.

Lazy Entertainer

11 3-Ingredient Cocktails Perfect for Day Drinking

Related To:

Shop This Look

The Bee's Knees

Smoke + Spice Sipper

French 75 Float

Black + Berry Beer

Elderflower Shandy

Strawberries-and-Cream Fizz

The Hummingbird

Blushing Orange IPA

Spiked Thai Tea

Blackberry-Mint Julep

Lemon-Thyme Soda

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