If you’ve ever tried to make an alcoholic drink for you and your friends, you’ve probably heard the words “just give me a mixer” or “I’ll have a cocktail” instead. Unfortunately, you might not be sure how to make either option. It can leave you floundering and trying to decipher mixed drink types.

If you’re new to the world of personal bartending, here’s the difference between cocktails vs. mixed drinks and which one is best. We’ve included some info on the supplies you need, too.

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What is a mixed drink?

Mixed drinks — by default — include any beverage with one alcohol as the main ingredient, along with a secondary, non-alcoholic beverage. This second ingredient can be a basic mixer, with some popular options being orange juice, fruit juice, citrus juice, club soda, Coke, Pepsi, ginger ale, or tonic water. 

Some common examples of mixed drinks that fall under this definition are vodka coke or whiskey ginger; they only have two main ingredients.

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What do you need to make a mixed drink?

Overall, mixed drinks are straightforward to make. The main ingredients that you’ll require are:

1. Liquor

This is the apparent part! For mixed drinks, liquor can be distilled or undistilled and include beer, tequila, vodka, gin, rum, and wine. 

2. Mixers

This is the second (and most significant) part of your mixed drink. Having one alcohol and one mix is the standard mixed drink, but how many mixers you add to your drink ratio depends on you. If you’re struggling to find good ideas, this list of rum and lemon drinks will offer some inspiration. 

3. Ice

Although some drinks can be served warm, your mixers usually arrive chilled. Not only does the ice serve a practical purpose, but it adds a nice aesthetic. Ice can come in simple cubes, but you can try a fun shape — like a cube or a sphere — but a bag is appropriate for parties.

4. Garnishes

Garnishes are often used to equalize the bitter taste of the alcohol and add a little visual interest. Although they’re frequently used in cocktails, they can be added to a mixer. 

Examples of mixer-friendly garnishes include orange twists, lemon and lime wedges, grapefruit wheels, raspberries, cranberries, and other berries. 

5. Optional ingredients

Refined sugars like simple syrup — used to mellow out the complex taste of the liquor — are often reserved for cocktails, not mixed drinks. The good news is there’s no rule that you can’t add them to a mixer if you want some added sweetness. 

5 mixed drink recipes you should try

Here are some examples of mixed drinks to try:

• Flaming Dr. Pepper shot.

• White gummy bear shot.

• Lynchburg lemonade.

• Skittles vodka.

• Vodka and coke.

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What is considered a cocktail?

In general, a cocktail is a more complicated mix of one or more hard liquors, at least one mix — like a fruit juice and a soda —and additives like bitters, simple syrup, and a garnish. A simple vodka and coke wouldn’t fit the bill. If it has three ingredients, we’ll call it a cocktail.

There’s actually some debate on the difference between cocktails and mixed drinks. Some people think they should be one and the same, but the extra flavors in a cocktail make them unique and sophisticated. 

Examples of famous cocktails include the old-fashioned, margaritas, Manhattans, mojitos, negronis, and daiquiris. 

What do you need to make a cocktail?

Because cocktails require specific ingredients, you’ll find variations in the recipes between them. However, a few basics you can stick to:

1. Liquor 

Because this is an alcoholic drink, you can’t do without it. Make sure you’re using distilled spirits, like vodka, brandy, whiskey, rum, tequila, or gin. 

2. Mixers

For cocktails, this can be many different things. Depending on the drink recipe, you can add juice, soda, liqueur, champagne, dry vermouth, cream, or egg whites. Adding the mixers will give your drink its distinctive taste. 

3. Bitters and simple syrup

Bitters and simple syrup are usually mandatory for a proper cocktail. Their purpose remains the same as a mixed drink: to balance out the competing flavors in your beverage so it’s not too sweet or sour. 

4. Garnishes

This ingredient list is nearly identical to the mixed drinks. Other garnishes include sugared or salted rims, mint, cherries, and cloves.

You can use a store-bought margarita mix for some drink recipes to enhance the flavor. 

5 Cocktail recipes you should try

• The old-fashioned.

• Zombie cocktail.

• Aviation cocktail.

• Whiskey sour.

• Purple Gatorade cocktail.

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Mixed drink vs. cocktail

The history of mixed drinks is much richer than cocktails. Cocktails didn’t make their first appearance until the early 19th century, and what defines them is the inclusion of multiple mixes, bitters, and syrup. This tradition continues to the present day. 

The delineation between the two drink types is think. However, here are a few ways to tell which is which:

• All cocktails have a mixed drink as their base, but include more ingredients. All cocktails are mixed drinks, but not all mixed drinks are cocktails.

• Mixed drinks meet the standards of a cocktail because they come with a specific set of ingredients and measurements. 

A few more ways to distinguish the two:

• Cocktails are designed to mask the taste of liquor. Mixed drinks usually aren’t as concerned with it.

• Cocktails have a distinct “presentation” that makes them visually appealing. Mixed drinks are more functional or casual.

Some key terms you should know if you’re planning to make either option:

• Build: The process of making a cocktail from the ground up, starting with the ice.

• Chaser: A drink you take after a shot to tone down the taste of the alcohol. 

• Dash: A measurement referring to a few drops of a substance, usually added to a cocktail (like a “dash” of bitters).

• Premium: Expensive or “top-shelf” alcohol.

• Float: An aesthetic choice where lighter alcohol is poured over heavier alcohol without mixing them together to create a striped look within the glass.

• Free pour: Pouring alcohol straight from the bottle instead of measuring it.

• Rim: The act of rimming a cocktail glass with salt, sugar, or another powder to act as a garnish and add flavor.

Overall, neither drink type is better than the other; they simply serve a different purpose, from classic cocktails to hastily-made mixed drinks. And, if you want to make drinks for yourself.

Don’t forget to use Gopuff to have your ready-to-drink alcohol delivered to your front door.