Want to expand your cocktail menu this year? Adding a fresh selection of well drinks is a great place to start. Made with just a handful of basic, inexpensive ingredients, these cocktails can help round out your menu and encourage diners to increase their drink orders.
If you're new to the world of well drinks, we're going to explain what they are and how to promote them. Plus, we'll share 12 popular well drinks that every bar should have on its menu.
What are Well Drinks?
Well drinks are simple mixed drinks made with low-cost liquor that's within easy reach of the bartender.
But where does the name "well drink" come from?
Just behind the bar is a long bin, known as "the well," that houses the bar's most frequently used and least expensive alcohol. Every bar's well should be stocked with inexpensive whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, sodas, juices and fruit garnishes.
Bartenders will typically use well liquors to mix drinks unless the customer asks for a specific brand of alcohol when ordering a drink.
12 Best Well Drinks to Your Cocktail Menu
If you don't already have well drinks on your menu, now is the perfect time to add them. They're fast and easy for your bartender to make, which keeps your bar efficient. But the ingredients are also cheaper to buy, which means you can offer drinks at a more accessible price point for customers.
Which drinks should you add? These 12 are a great place to start.
1. Rum and Coke
Rum and Coke is a classic cocktail and one of the world's most popular alcoholic drinks. The standard recipe is to add two ounces of well rum to a highball glass and then fill it to the brim with cola.
2. Vodka Soda
An easy cocktail that blends two ounces of vodka with club soda and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add a lemon wedge for garnish.
3. Scotch and Soda
A classic drink that blends soda or club soda and scotch. While there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to ratios, bartenders typically add two ounces of scotch to a highball glass and fill the rest of the glass with soda.
4. Gin and Tonic
When it comes to well drinks, it doesn't get much simpler than a gin and tonic. Simply pour two ounces of gin over ice and top it all off with tonic water. Garnish with lime wedges.
5. Vodka Cranberry
Vodka cranberry is a spin on the classic vodka soda. Pour one and a half ounces of vodka over ice and top off the glass with cold cranberry juice. Add a lime wedge for garnish.
6. Whiskey Sour
A blend of bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice and an egg white, all tossed in a cocktail shaker with ice. A whiskey sour is traditionally served in coupe glasses and finished off with a few dashes of bitters. Although egg white is a classic ingredient for this cocktail and gives the drink some froth, you can skip it if you prefer to keep your menu simple.
7. Mojito
If you're looking for refreshing drink menu ideas, mojito fits the bill. To make this well drink, muddle mint leaves and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and then shake with ice, lime juice and white rum. Strain into a highball glass with ice and top off with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge and a fresh sprig of mint.
8. Tom Collins
A simple well drink made with two ounces of London dry gin, half an ounce of simple syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice and club soda. Finish this drink with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry.
9. Moscow Mule
A cocktail that combines two ounces of vodka, three ounces of ginger beer and half of an ounce of lime juice. Pour into a cold copper mug to serve this traditional well drink.
10. Tequila Sunrise
A well drink that's a feast for the eyes and taste buds. To create the appearance of a sunrise, this drink layers tequila, orange juice and grenadine. As the ingredients mix, it creates a vibrant gradient of color. Be sure to garnish this show-stopping drink with an orange slice and cherry.
11. Long Island Iced Tea
A strong well drink that blends white rum, vodka, triple sec and tequila with simple syrup, cola and lemon juice. Top it off with a lemon wedge garnish.
12. Margarita
While there are many ways to make a margarita, the classic recipe is simple: triple sec, blanco tequila, agave syrup and lime juice. Salt the rim of the margarita glass, pour and serve.
Promoting Your Well Cocktails
Adding a well drinks list to your menu is a great start, but to boost sales, you'll need to promote your new offerings.
Here are two effective ways to do that:
Loyalty Programs
Consider offering a loyalty program that gives regular customers a discount on your well drinks and your other non-premium offerings.
Just be sure to verify that your program complies with all regulations and local laws beforehand.
Happy Hours
If you're legally able to do so, you can run a happy hour at your restaurant or bar that offers a discount on well drinks. Be strategic when offering a discount to ensure that it won't eat into your profits.
Happy hours can be an effective way to get customers through the door and order drinks during slow periods. Just make sure that you are legally able to run a happy hour at your establishment and, more importantly, that you can afford to do so.
You can promote your loyalty program and happy hours in your cocktail menu design to raise awareness of your new offerings.
Boost Your Bottom Line with Quality, Affordable Drinks
Expanding your selection of well drinks is one of the top bar menu ideas in 2025. Diners are happy to order alcoholic drinks, but they may not necessarily want top-shelf or gourmet cocktails. Offering more affordable and familiar options can help attract more customers and increase your average check size.