There's no greater fear than a visit from unexpected guests – especially when your fridge and pantry is barren. As we make our way through the festive season, we believe there's nothing more useful than a list of easy cocktail recipes that you can whip together from the pantry and fridge staples you already have. Trust us – it'll save you on more occasions than you might even realise.

Not only is this a must when you're in a pickle, but these cocktails are also great if you're hosting a large group of people and are looking to create a drinks menu that is minimal fuss. From traditional cocktails that always hit the spot, to classics with a twist; here are 14 of our favourite easy and classic cocktail recipes you can make anytime.

1. Classic Liquor and Soda

Ingredients:

•  60ml of the liquor of your choosing (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, scotch)
• soda water to top – anywhere from 120ml-180ml. You can also use tonic water or any of you favourite flavoured sparkling water
• A squeeze of lemon or lime (or any citrus, orange or grapefruit would work here too)

How to make:

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour 60ml of liquor then top with the mixer of your choice and a squeeze of citrus.

2. Moscow Mule

Ingredients:

• 50ml vodka
• Top with Bundaberg Ginger Beer
• 25ml lime juice
• 2 x small pieces of ginger (optional)
• finish with lime to garnish

How to make:

Muddle ginger then add all remaining ingredients (besides ginger beer) into a cocktail shaker. Shake then strain into a copper mug then top with ginger beer. Add ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

3. Whiskey Sour

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces liquor
• 3/4 ounces lemon juice
• 1/2 to 3/4 ounce simple syrup
• a dash or two of bitters (if you have them)
• 1 egg white (optional)

How to make:

Add all ingredients except the bitters to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake then strain into a glass of your choice. Top with a few dashes of bitters on top.

4. Appletini

Ingredients:

• 60ml vodka
• 60ml apple juice
• 7ml lemon juice
• 7ml ounce simple syrup or honey

How to make:

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until combined and strain into a martini glass.

5. Vodka Martini

Ingredients:

• 60ml vodka
• 22ml dry vermouth
• lemon twist or olives

How to make:

Add vodka and dry vermouth into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until combined and strain into a martini class. Garnish with olives or lemon twist.

6. Gin Gimlet

Ingredients:

• 60ml gin
• 25ml lime juice
• 25ml simple syrup or pure maple syrup
• splash of soda water (optional)

How to make:

Add gin, lime juice, and syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass and top with a splash of soda water, if desired. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.

7. Classic margarita

Ingredients:

• 60ml tequila
• 30ml lime juice
• 25ml simple syrup, honey or agave
• salt (rim of glass)

How to make:

Add tequila, lime and your sweetener of choice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well blended and pour into a salt rimmed glass.

8. Tom Collins

Ingredients:

• 60ml dry gin
• 25ml-30ml simple syrup or maple syrup
• 30ml lemon juice
• ½ cup soda water
• ice
• maraschino cherry and lemon wheel to garnish

How to make:

Combine the gin, syrup, lemon juice, and soda water in a Collins glass over plenty of ice. Stir gently and garnish with a slice of lemon.

9. Amaretto Sour

Ingredients:

• 50ml amaretto
• 25ml lemon juice
• 10ml sugar syrup
• 1 egg white
• maraschino cherry to garnish

How to make:

Add amaretto, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white to a shaker. Shake without ice for 20 seconds, then add ice and shake again for another 20 seconds. Strain into a glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

10. Aperol Spritz

Ingredients:

• 30ml  prosecco
• 60 ml Aperol
• A splash of soda water
• orange slice to garnish

How to make:

Add the prosecco, Aperol and soda water to a wine glass filled with ice and stir. Garnish with an orange wedge.

11. Mojito

Ingredients:

• 60ml white rum
• 1tsp granulated white sugar
• handful of mint
• juice of one lime
• soda water to taste
• crushed ice

How to make:

Muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a small jug, then pour into a tall glass and add a handful of ice. Pour over the rum and stir. Top up with soda water, garnish with mint and serve.

• 25ml Campari
• 25ml sweet vermouth
• 25ml gin
• 1 orange slice
• ice

How to make:

Combine the gin, Campari, vermouth, and ice in a glass and stir. Garnish with an orange slice.

14. Paloma

Ingredients:

• 50 ml  tequila, we like Patròn Silver Blanco
• 1/2 tbsp agave syrup (optional)
• 15 ml lime juice, about 1tbsp
• 50 ml pink grapefruit juice
• Soda water
• Grapefruit slices, to garnish

How to make:

Fill a shaker with ice and combine the first four ingredients. Shake vigorously for about 15-20seconds. Fill a highball glass with ice, strain the mixture into the glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Love a dirty martini? Here are the internet's most viral recipes to try.

Image: Pinterest