The MacGyver Mixologist: Drinks from Whatever’s in Your Kitchen

Mixology Magic: Cocktails from a “Barely Stocked” Bar

You open the cabinet and stare down the bottles. Hendrick’s Gin, Jose Cuervo Tequila. Then a couple of lonely mixers: orange soda, Coke, lemonade. Some syrups, a few lemons and limes rolling around. Not exactly a craft cocktail bar, right?

Wrong.

With a little imagination (and maybe a forgiving palate), you can turn that ragtag lineup into a small menu of surprisingly good cocktails. Here are six drinks you can shake, stir, and brag about like you planned it all along.

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🍋 1. The Spa Day Fizz (Citrus Gin Fizz)

Hendrick’s + citrus = your botanicals in a bathrobe.

You’ll need:

• 2 oz Hendrick’s Gin

• 1 oz fresh lemon juice

• 0.5 oz orange syrup

• Lemonade to top

Shake it, strain it, top it. Crisp, zesty, and as refreshing as cucumber water at an overpriced resort.

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🌅 2. Tequila Sunset Glow-Up (Sunset Tequila Spritz)

Move over, tequila sunrise. This one’s got soda-pop sass.

You’ll need:

• 2 oz Jose Cuervo Tequila

• 3 oz orange soda

• 0.5 oz cherry syrup (float)

• Lime wedge

Layer it pretty, then sip it like you’re poolside, even if your pool is a kiddie inflatable, or your recliner.

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🥤 3. Botanical & Bubbly Rebel (Gin & Cola Twist)

Who puts gin in Coke? You do, now.

You’ll need:

• 1.5 oz Hendrick’s Gin

• 3 oz Coca Cola

• 0.5 oz cherry syrup

• Lemon wedge

It’s basically a Cuba Libre in disguise, with gin crashing the rum’s party. Surprisingly rebellious, totally drinkable.

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🍹 4. Trouble in Lemonade (Tequila Lemonade Cooler)

Sweet, sour, and a little dangerous ... like that one summer fling. 💞

You’ll need:

• 2 oz Jose Cuervo Tequila

• 4 oz lemonade

• 0.5 oz orange syrup

• Lime wheel

Shake, strain, and sip. It’ll charm you into having “just one more.”

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🥒 5. Lazy Rickey (Gin Rickey Hack)

Because sometimes you swap soda water for lemonade and call it innovation.

You’ll need:

• 2 oz Hendrick’s Gin

• 1 oz lime juice

• Lemonade to top

Shake and top with lemonade. Refreshing, low-effort, high payoff.

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🍒 6. Cherry Bomb Libre (Tequila Cherry Cola)

A classic with a sugar rush.

You’ll need:

• 2 oz Jose Cuervo Tequila

• 3 oz Coca Cola

• 0.5 oz cherry syrup

• Lime wedge

Build, stir, and sip. Sweet, bold, and very easy to overdo.

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Final Sip

So there you have it: six cocktails born from what looks like a “college fridge” lineup. Whether you’re feeling botanical and bougie or fizzy and fun, these mixes will keep you entertained until your next trip to the liquor store.

Because remember: you don’t need a fancy bar cart to play bartender ... you just need whatever’s hiding in your kitchen.