When you first start drinking, finishing more than two beers can put you under the table. But as you grow accustomed to alcohol, you may need more than that to keep the buzz going. If your usual order isn’t getting the job done, it may be time to move on to more potent cocktails.
With that in mind, here are some of the strongest mixed drinks you can order — or make in the comfort of your home.
15 Strongest Mixed Drinks to Try
1. Old Fashioned
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The Old Fashioned is the perfect cocktail for any occasion, combining a good amount of bourbon or rye whiskey with different bitters, some sugar, and a dash of water. You’ll definitely want to try this drink with a cigar. The beverage is served on the rocks and garnished with a cocktail cherry or some orange peel.
2. Bone Dry Martini
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Traditionally, martinis contain gin, vodka, and vermouth (though James Bond sips his with Lillet Blanc). For most people, the low alcoholic content of the latter ingredient makes the drink more palatable. But that’s not what you’re after, is it?
Since you’re looking for the strongest mixed drinks to try, consider ordering a bone-dry martini instead. The recipe for that variant usually takes the vermouth out of the equation entirely, making the resulting beverage the most alcoholic drink you could have.
3. Moscow Mule
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Moscow Mules are typically made with equal parts ginger beer and vodka. That probably won’t get you drunk. But remember — the ratio between the alcohol and mixer can change the game.
If you reduce the amount of ginger beer you use and add more vodka, you’ll end up with a flavorful yet potent beverage. Make sure to serve in copper mugs and add a touch of lime and you’ll be all set.
4. Black Russian
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While we’re on the subject of Russian drinks, let’s keep the streak going. You’ve probably heard of White Russians, a cocktail containing vodka, coffee liquor, and heavy cream. Well, taking the cream out gives you a Black Russian.
Basically, you’ll need about 5 parts of vodka and 2 parts of coffee liquor. Pour those ingredients into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice and you’ll have yourself a purely alcoholic beverage.
Notably, mixing alcohol with caffeine may conceal the depressant effects of alcohol. Consequently, Black Russians and similar cocktails can make you think you’re soberer than you are. So take that under consideration before you place your order.
5. Nikolaschka
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Before we head to a warmer climate, let’s have one more Russian drink. The Nikolaschka isn’t a cocktail per se. Instead, the base of the drink is a simple double shot of vodka. After pouring the shot, you’d close the glass with a lemon disc and put a teaspoon of sugar and espresso powder on top.
The idea is to put the lemon and its toppers into your mouth first before downing the vodka. Before you swallow, you need to keep everything in your mouth and slowly chew on everything. Apparently, that gives the liquor time to absorb into the bloodstream.
6. Bullfrog
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Like the previous two caffeinated cocktails, the Bullfrog should prevent any alcohol-induced drowsiness. In addition to four different kinds of liquors, the drink also contains Red Bull — or an energy drink of your choosing.
First, pour equal parts (about an ounce) of vodka, tequila, rum, and gin into a tall glass filled with ice. Add the same amount of Red Bull and lemon juice before pouring an ounce of Blue Curaçao in to make the whole thing teal-colored. Despite the tropical appearance of this drink, it packs a strong punch. So make sure to drink responsibly!
7. Long Island Iced Tea
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Like the previous entry on this list, the Long Island Iced Tea is a potent mixture of several different kinds of liquor. More precisely, you’ll need about a half-ounce of white fin, vodka, gin, tequila, and triple sec. Count them — that’s five different liquors! Now you see why this popular beverage is one of the strongest mixed drinks you could order.
After putting it all in a tall glass filled with ice, you’ll want to add an ounce of lemon juice and simple syrup into the mix. Last but not least, splash some cola into it and garnish with a lemon spiral.
8. Negroni
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If you’re not open to mixing five alcoholic drinks, perhaps three would be a more reasonable number. To make this bitter Italian cocktail, you’ll need equal parts vermouth, gin, and Campari liquor. Stir it all up with some ice and add an orange peel as garnish.
9. Caribou Lou
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A Caribou Lou cocktail is a more alcoholic version of a Pina Colada. Remember, Pina Coladas consists of pineapple juice, white rum, and coconut cream. Conversely, Caribou Lou contains 151 rum, Malibu coconut rum, and pineapple juice. So you get a similar flavor profile with a significantly higher alcoholic content!
10. Jungle Juice
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Jungle Juice is a homemade liquor that usually has an overnight preparation process. Essentially, it’s a fruit punch that’s been stewing in a bottle of grain alcohol for hours before serving. If you do it right, you won’t even taste the alcohol — but you’ll definitely feel it!
11. Zombie
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When you first start looking for the strongest mixed drinks online, you’ll see that many of them allude to death in one way or another. While we wouldn’t go that far, we can certainly say that downing a few Zombies may induce a fugue state.
Invented in the 1930s by Hollywood restaurateur Donn Beach, this cocktail contains three types of rum (dark, golden, and white), apricot brandy, and lime juice in equal measures. On top of that, the recipe also calls for some bitters and cinnamon syrup. Pour it all in an ice-filled glass and enjoy the ride.
12. Death in the Afternoon aka Hemingway Champagne
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While the previous beverage promised a resurrection after death, this one makes no such claims. Death in the Afternoon was Ernest Hemingway’s contribution to a 1935 book of cocktail recipes — so you know it’ll be simple and efficient. Namely, the drink only requires two ingredients — champagne and absinthe. We’ll leave the rest to you.
13. Sazerac
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Sazerac is another drink you could throw together if you happen to have some absinthe lying around. After coating the inside of a chilled glass with about a quarter of an ounce of absinthe, add some crushed ice and cover it with about two ounces of Sazerac rye whiskey. Finish it off with a sugar cube and a hefty splash of Peychaud’s Bitters.
14. Hand Grenade
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Hand grenades are such an iconic drink, you need a special container to hold them. The cocktail contains vodka, gin, rum, and grain alcohol — all the heavy hitters. On top of that, you’ll need melon liqueur, simple syrup, and pineapple juice to make it all go down more easily.
15. Aunt Roberta
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Last but certainly not least, the Aunt Roberta cocktail is one of the strongest mixed drinks you’ll ever try. Don’t let the innocent name fool you — this cocktail contains gin, vodka, brandy, absinthe, and blackberry liquor in equal parts. It has felled many ambitious alcohol enthusiasts over the years. So try not to have it outside of the comfort of your home!
