There are many cocktails that can be difficult to make, but some are definitely harder than others. So if you're looking to challenge yourself and mix up something really tough, then check out our list of the 5 hardest drinks to make!
These cocktails require precision and skill, so be prepared to put in some hard work if you want to make them correctly. We'll walk you through each step of how to make these drinks so that you can mix them up like a pro!
What Makes A Cocktail Difficult To Make?
There are a few things that can make a cocktail more challenging to mix than others. Some of the factors that contribute to the difficulty of the cocktail include:
The Number of Ingredients
Depending on the cocktail, it can have anywhere from two to more than a dozen ingredients. This makes it difficult to remember all the ingredients and their measurements, especially if you're making multiple cocktails at once.
Special Tools or Techniques
Some of the hardest drinks to make are created by mixologists who spend hours perfecting their techniques or using special tools to create the perfect drink. If you're not familiar with these techniques or tools, it can be challenging to make the cocktail correctly. This means that you'll likely need to try creating the recipe a few times in order to get it right.
Difficult to Find Ingredients
In some cases, the ingredients for a particular cocktail can be difficult to find or might not be available at your local liquor store. This can make it tough to mix up the drink exactly how you want it, especially if they use specific herbs or liqueurs.
The Alcohol Percentage
Higher-alcohol cocktails are often more difficult to mix because they're more prone to separating and curdling. This makes it harder to get the drink to blend evenly and results in a less-than-perfect cocktail.
The Time It Takes to Make
Most cocktails take just a few minutes to make, but some of the hardest drinks can take much longer. This is because you might need to infuse or steep ingredients and let them sit for a while before use. So if you're short on time, these types of cocktails are probably not the best option for you.
The 5 Hardest Drinks to Make
Now that you know what can make a cocktail difficult to make, let's take a look at some of the most complex drinks to mix! These cocktails require precision and skill, so be prepared to put in some hard work if you want to make them correctly.
Ramos Gin Fizz
The Ramos Gin Fizz is a notoriously tricky cocktail to make, and for good reason. This drink requires shaking vigorously during each part of the process in order to create the perfect foam and consistency. If you're not careful, it can quickly become over-shaken or too frothy, ruining the drink altogether. Ready to try it? Here's the recipe for this popular drink:
Ingredients
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce heavy cream
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1 egg white
- orange flower water
- Club soda
Directions
To create this cocktail, you'll want to add the lime and lemon juices, heavy cream, simple syrup, gin, egg white, and orange flower into a shaker. Make sure not to add ice, as this can mess up the mixture. Shake this mixture for at least 5 minutes.
Next, you'll want to add in your ice and shake for an additional 15 seconds until it becomes well-chilled. Then, strain the entire mixture into your glass of choice. From there, you'll want to pour a bit of club soda into the shaker and swish around to pick up any remaining egg and cream. Use this to top off the drink, and enjoy!
Corpse Reviver #2
The Corpse Reviver #2 was initially created before the prohibition as a way to help cure someone's hangover, bringing them back from the dead. This cocktail is made with a number of different ingredients that aren't always readily available, making it a bit tricky to mix. Here's the recipe for this unique drink:
Ingredients
- Absinthe
- 3/4 ounce Lillet blanc
- 3/4 ounce London dry gin
- 3/4 ounce lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce orange liqueur
Directions
You'll want to find a chilled cocktail glass and rinse it with absinthe to get started. Once finished, set that aside for later. Next, you'll want to add the lemon juice, orange liqueur, ice, and Lillet blanc to a shaker with ice and shake until the mixture becomes cold. Next, strain the mixture and pour it into your previously prepared glass. From there, enjoy your Corpse Reviver #2.
Vieux Carre
The Vieux Carre dates back to the early 1930s and is a notoriously tricky drink to drink. With a heavy flavor and multiple spirits used, it can be tough to get the perfect flavor from this drink. However, we have the perfect recipe to help you master this cocktail.
Ingredients
- 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
- 3/4 ounce rye whiskey
- 2 teaspoons Benedictine liqueur
- 3/4 ounce cognac
- 4 dashes of aromatic bitters
Directions
To get started, add the cognac, sweet vermouth, whiskey, bitters, and Benedictine into a mixing glass with ice. Stir the mixture until it becomes cool and is well chilled. Strain the mixture into a glass with ice, and garnish with your favorite topics, such as a lemon wedge or a cherry.
Commonwealth Drink
This incredible drink is made with 71 different ingredients, which were used to celebrate the commonwealth games taking place in Glasgow. Each ingredient represents a different nation competing in the event. If you really want a challenge, you can try to re-create this cocktail, but the ingredient list might make it a little expensive!
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Scotch
- 1 dash of the following 71 ingredients: devil's claw, bitter leaf, taro, chives, rosehip, cacao, wild raspberry, cassava, prickly pear, utazi leaves, papaya, citronella, cashew nut, rooibos, sycamore fig, cloves, nakati eggplant, sorrel, dragon fruit, arabica coffee beans, loganberry, bittercress, sugarcane, St. Helena tea plant, jujube, durian fruit, mangosteen, galangal, pomegranate, saffron, rambutan, guava leaf, sage, noni, sour cheery, egg fruit, tamarind, mango, ripe jackfruit, sapodilla, tonka bean, arrowroot, sweet basil, tamon, devil's horsewhip, okra, lemongrass, wild cotoneaster, wild Scottish strawberry, big rosemary, star anise, lavender, new potatoes, blueberries, maqui berry, red apple, basil-thyme.
Directions
To get started, you'll need to add the bourbon to a glass. Then add a dash of all the remaining ingredients listed above. Once finished, enjoy your Commonwealth Drink!
Color Changing Sunset Margarita
How cool does a color-changing drink sound? This fun and festive cocktail is perfect for any party or gathering. Unfortunately, it's also a little bit on the difficult side to make because of the various layers involved, so be sure to follow the recipe closely.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- lime wedge
- 3-ounce lime and lemon juice
- 5 ounce sugar syrup
- 1 ounce sugar syrup
- 5 ounce butterfly pea infused tequila
- 5 ounce triple sec
Directions
To start, you'll want to create the lemon ice. To do this, you'll want to mix the water and lemon juice together until well blended. Then pour it into an ice tray and allow it to freeze. From there, you'll want to blend the ice together to create a slush consistency.
Next, you'll want to rub sale the rim of your glass by rubbing the lime around the edge and coating it in salt. Once finished, fill half the glass with the prepared crushed lemon ice you have in the freezer. Next, put the simple syrup, lemon-lime juice, and triple sec into the glass. Stir to mix.
On top of that, you'll want to scoop the pea-infused tequila on top, creating a thin layer of this portion of the drink. You'll now have a beautiful sunset layered drink that will change colors and blend as you enjoy the drink.
Make Your Drinks The Easy Way With Mixly
With these complex cocktails, you might find yourself struggling to follow the recipe or make all of the ingredients. Instead of spending hours trying to create the perfect concoction - try using a Mixly mixer. With this handy tool, you can easily create any drink you want without all of the hassles. Simply add in your ingredients, shake it up, and enjoy!
