Being an ardent cocktail enthusiast can often be costly and time-demanding, between stocking diverse spirits, creating homemade syrups, and possessing essential bar tools. However, the joy of enjoying your favourite drink seldom necessitates exhaustive effort and expense, thanks to two-ingredient cocktails.

Simplifying the cocktail-making process, these powerful duos surpass the usual highballs like Rum & Cokes, Vodka Sodas, and Gin & Tonics we find at regular gatherings. With a myriad of smorgasbord, two-ingredient cocktails offer complexity with minimal effort, many of which are cultural touchpieces, such as the Black Russian, Death in the Afternoon, and Rusty Nail.

If the goal is to keep it layman and palatable, here’s a mix of two-ingredient cocktails that exclude the ice.

First of the list is the blend of Cognac and white crème de menthe, delivering a hint of minty sweetness dominated by the strength of the spirit. First mentioned in print in 1914, this cocktail held its stance among New York's high society as a favourite after-dinner delight until the '70s. Enjoy this concoction over cracked ice for a little extra chill.

No cocktail talk is complete without the iconic Gin & Tonic, a heavenly marriage of botanical richness and quinine-infused bubbles. Recommending a juniper-rich London Dry gin and premium tonic water offers room for experiment while sticking to the classic duo.

The Black Russian, a mid-century creation, attracts devoted coffee enthusiasts with a delightful blend of vodka and coffee liqueur. When picking the spirits, quality takes precedence over quantity. A less sweet alternative would be the Australian Mr. Black, a rum-based coffee liqueur.

Whiskey highballs, especially Scotch & Soda, are the go-to choice for those who first lessons were in old-school bars. Extending a raw Scotch whisky into tall, bubbling refreshment, Kat Kinsman, the premier features editor, finds this cocktail satisfying just, because it gratifyingly brings the whiskey essence into every sip without being overbearing.

A '70s wonder, the cocktail named The Godfather was inspired by the famous Oscar-winning movie. Fusing the richness of Scotch whisky and the nutty complexity of amaretto liqueur, the cocktail can be relished like an Old Fashioned where sugar is replaced by flavoured liqueur. The drink, far from the limelight, has made a stirring comeback recently.

Ernest Hemingway gets the credence for inventing this green fairy - Champagne combo named Death in the Afternoon. The mix of Absinthe's rich herbaceous qualities and Brut Champagne's bread-y depth creates a unique taste and nose experience.

White Port and tonic, a Portuguese staple, consists of fortified wine merged with tonics resulting in a bright, refreshing beverage, which often includes lime and mint for garnish.

Drambuie, a secret blended scotch base herbal liqueur sweetened with honey, makes the perfect pair with Scotch whisky in creating the drink popularized by the 1960s Rat Pack. Adjusting the ratio of Scotch to Drambuie can manipulate sweetness to spirit leverage.

Finally, the Spaghett cocktail, a tangy blend of light beer spiked with Aperol. Substitute Aperol with Campari, if you prefer a strong bitter aftertaste and top it with a squirt of citrus for an audacious refresher.