Make Cocktails at Home With These Easy Recipes From Top Mixologists

It's all about keeping things simple these days, and using what you have on hand. For these easy cocktails, commonplace spirits, ingredients you already have in your fridge and minimal fancy mixologist technique will do. Now, you're the bartender! But easy doesn't have to translate to a lack of creativity: rev up your usual gin and tonic by adding an orange slice in place of your usual lime wedge. Mix in a sprig of thyme from your garden if you have it. Suddenly, a classic G+T is new again. Read on for more ideas for cocktails you can make even when your pantry is bare, many from inventive bartenders who also know how to use what's at hand.

Charleston's Wild Common restaurant beverage manager Simon Stilwell shares an easy cocktail recipe using jam and vodka.

Bramble Smash

• 1 ounce jam/preserves
• 1 ounce lemon or lime juice (either works fine; pick the one you think tastes good with the jam you are using)
• 1.5 ounces alcohol (vodka is a great base to build flavor on, but really any spirit will work)
• Splash club soda
• Herb garnish (mint, thyme or basil work best)

Add jam, citrus juice and spirit to a shaker. Shake, then pour mixture over ice, top with soda and garnish with the herb you have on hand.

Add some herbaceous refreshment to a gimlet with cucumber and this recipe from Ocean Prime.

Cucumber Gimlet

• 1.5 ounces gin
• 1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 ounce simple syrup*
• 4-5 slices of cucumber

Add cucumber, fresh lime juice and simple syrup to a shaker. Muddle with three ice cubes until cucumber is dissolved. Add ice to shaker to fill halfway. Shake gently and strain into a highball.

*Simple Syrup recipe

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup water

In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Atlanta's chef-centric Mexican restaurant Casi Cielo shares a spicy take on the margarita with the trending mezcal (tequila also works fine) spirit.

La Llorona

• 1 1/2 ounces of mezcal or tequila
• 1 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 1 ounce agave nectar or simple syrup*
• 1/2 ounce jalapeño purée (jalapeño, habanero, Serrano, water)**

Mix all ingredients together. Garnish with lime and a jalapeño slice.

**Jalapeño Purée

• 5 small fresh jalapeño chiles
• 1/4 cup habanero pepper
• 1 tablespoon serrano pepper
• 1/2 cup water

Core and remove all seeds from peppers and large dice. Blend all ingredients well in a blender or food processor. If you can't find one of the varieties of peppers, substitute with another pepper you can find.

*Simple Syrup recipe

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup water

In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.