8 Easy Cocktails to Make at Home with Vodka, Rum and Tequila

Eight easy cocktails you can make at home in Nepal with vodka, rum or tequila, using ingredients from any grocery store and no special bar equipment.

You don't need a shaker, a jigger or a shelf of fancy bottles to make a good drink at home. You need one spirit, something sour, something sweet, plenty of ice and a glass. Every recipe below uses ingredients you can find in Kathmandu, and a tablespoon is fine for measuring (one tablespoon is about 15 ml, so a 60 ml large peg is four tablespoons).

These recipes are for adults aged 18 and over. Please drink responsibly and never drive after drinking.

With vodka

1. Vodka lemon soda

The simplest drink there is. 60 ml vodka, the juice of half a lemon, a teaspoon of sugar, top up with soda. Lots of ice. Refreshing on a hot day.

2. Screwdriver

60 ml vodka and orange juice in a tall glass of ice. Use a good packaged orange juice if fresh oranges aren't in season.

3. Nepali mule

Our local take on a Moscow mule: 60 ml vodka, juice of half a lemon, a few slices of fresh ginger crushed with a spoon, a teaspoon of honey, topped with ginger ale or soda. A pinch of timur on top if you are feeling brave.

With rum

4. Rum and cola

A classic for a reason. 60 ml dark rum, cola, a squeeze of lemon. The lemon makes all the difference.

5. Mojito

Crush 8 to 10 mint leaves with two teaspoons of sugar and the juice of half a lemon in a glass. Add crushed ice, 60 ml white rum, and top with soda. Stir. Fresh mint is easy to find in any tarkari market.

6. Hot toddy for winter evenings

60 ml dark rum or whisky, a tablespoon of honey, juice of a quarter lemon, topped with hot water and a cinnamon stick. Perfect for a cold Poush night.

With tequila

7. Tequila sunrise

Ice, 60 ml tequila and orange juice in a tall glass. Slowly pour a tablespoon of grenadine or any red syrup down the side so it sinks to the bottom and makes the sunrise.

8. Easy margarita

60 ml tequila, 30 ml lemon or lime juice, 2 teaspoons sugar syrup (sugar dissolved in an equal amount of hot water). Mix with ice in a jar with a lid, shake hard, and pour into a glass with a salted rim.

What to keep at home for cocktails

• One or two spirits you like
• Lemons, and fresh mint and ginger when you can get them
• Sugar, and a bottle of sugar syrup made in advance
• Soda, tonic and ginger ale
• Orange juice and cola
• Lots of ice

Mocktail versions

Every one of these works without alcohol. A mojito without rum is a lovely mint lemonade, and the "Nepali mule" without vodka is a great ginger soda. Make a jug for guests who aren't drinking; they will appreciate it more than another glass of cola.

Planning a party? See our guide to how much alcohol to buy and our house party checklist.