It’s interesting how being forced to stay home makes people creative. They probably have several ideas now on how to survive boredom and cabin fever because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Some have finally tackled the decluttering project they kept putting off. Others are participating in online exercises and yoga sessions. Still, others stay connected with friends to “have a few drinks” by hosting a Zoom happy hour for their usual Thirsty Thursday meetup.
If you’re also planning a virtual happy hour with your friends, but don’t know what to prepare, here are a few quarantine-friendly cocktail recipes. These are easy to mix and involve only a handful of ingredients.
1. Mango Martini
Lime and cranberry juice, mango puree, triple sec, and white rum make for a sweet but tart martini perfect for your virtual happy hour. The addition of mango puree is a great way to spruce up your regular martini when you want to make your drink a little more special.
Ingredients:
½ oz lime juice
½ oz cranberry juice
½ oz triple sec
1 oz white rum (such as Bacardi Superior)
A dash of mango puree
Method: Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds, then strain the contents into a chilled martini glass.
2. Ambrosia
Perfect for spritz lovers, the Ambrosia is a sophisticated cocktail that combines Don Ciccio Ambrosia and prosecco. The result is a refreshingly bubbly concoction with a hint of bitterness – perfect for a pre-meal drink.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Don Ciccio Ambrosia
½ ozAverna
1 oz Prosecco
A splash of soda water
Method: Combine all ingredients and stir. Pour into a wine glass with ice and garnish with an orange slice.
3. Sage Collins
A classic Tom Collins with a twist invented by The Weekend Mixologist, Barlow Gil2more. This 4-ingredient cocktail is perfect for any time of day, so you don’t have to wait for your day to end to enjoy this refreshing drink with a kick.
Ingredients:
2 oz Vodka
¾ lemon juice
½ oz sage-infused honey syrup
2 dashes of celery bitters
Method: Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds then strain into a Collins glass with ice. Top with a spring of fresh sage.
4. Coronarita
Yes, a margarita made from Corona beer. Hopefully, you’re not one of the few people who actually think Corona has something to do with the virus. This classic Mexican cocktail is a perfect thirst quencher on the occasional hot spring days.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz silver tequila
3 oz lime sour mix
¾ oz triple sec
1 12-oz bottle of Corona
Ice cubes
Salt
Method: Mix tequila, triple sec, and sour lime into a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain the mixture into a salt-rimmed pint glass. Quickly flip the bottle of corona upside down and place it into the drink.
Who says social distancing prevents you from socializing? With these quarantine-friendly cocktail concoctions, you can bring out your bartender instincts, discover new mixtures, and enjoy a virtual toast with your friends.
