With our favourite watering holes remaining closed for the foreseeable future, now is the time to discover the art of mixology with some simple yet delicious drinks recipes.
Here are some of our favourite recipes from around the world – get ready to enjoy these tasty drinks concoctions from the comfort of your own home.
Roasted Blueberry Basil Margarita – Dallas, Texas
Dallas has staked its claim as the official home to the Frozen Margarita. The all-American favourite was originally invented in 1971 by Mariano Martinez. When living in Dallas, this Mexican-American restaurant owner ingeniously adapted a soft-serve ice cream machine to churn out what has become a perennial summer favourite. On a warm spring day, this roasted Blueberry Basil Margarita hits the spot.
Start by roasting a cup of blueberries in the oven for 15 minutes. Once the berries begin to burst, transfer them to a saucepan and add 100g of sugar and 120ml of water along with a few fresh basil leaves to create your blueberry-basil syrup. In a cocktail shaker (or the equivalent), combine 45ml tequila, 60ml lime juice and 60ml of the roasted blueberry-basil syrup with lots of crushed ice, then shake for about 30 seconds. Pour over ice, and serve with a slice of lime, a couple more blueberries and garnish of fresh basil leaves.
Bitter Giuseppe Cocktail – Chicago, Illinois
The Violet Hour is widely known as the pioneer of Chicago’s craft cocktail movement. The bar can be found in the heart of Chicago’s artistic Wicker Park neighbourhood, putting forward some of the most ingenious drinks in the city. For discerning cocktail drinkers who are slightly sour about not being able to frequent their favourite bars during this period, the Bitter Giuseppe is the perfect tipple to try at home.
Combine 57ml of Cynar, 29ml of Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, 7ml lemon juice and 6 dashes of Regans Orange Bitters. Then stir, strain onto ice in an Old Fashioned glass (or the equivalent) with one large ice cube or several smaller cubes. Garnish with the lemon peel used for the juice.
The Piña Colada – Puerto Rico
If you’re a fan of the piña colada, you should know that this famous tropical drink was invented in Puerto Rico. The sweet mix of coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum, and ice was born in the island’s capital, San Juan, but the identity of its creator is still an unresolved controversy.
Although there are many versions of the Caribbean drink, this is a trusty recipe to try at home. In a blender, mix 60ml coconut cream, 120ml pineapple juice, 4 cubes of ice and 60ml white rum until all the ingredients are blended smoothly and frosty. Pour the drink into a tall glass and top with whipped cream. Use cherries and pineapples as a garnish if you wish.
Golden Tail Whiskey Cocktail – Nashville, Tennessee
Sip on some American charm and enjoy a taste of Tennessee whiskey from the comfort of your own home. Take inspiration from one of Nashville’s oldest distillers to master the perfect cocktail. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery is a family run business, set up in Nashville by Charles Nelson in the 1800s. Nelson was one of the first to bottle whiskey for sale rather than refilling jugs and barrels and quickly became a household name to rival the likes of Jack Daniels before prohibition. Whip up a selection of cocktails at home with online recipes and videos showcasing the Green Brier Distillery’s history.
To create their popular ‘Golden Tail’ – a mash-up of the Gold Rush and Lion’s Tail – take 57ml whiskey (preferably Tennessee whiskey), 21ml lemon juice, 14ml honey, 7ml Allspice Dram and 1 dash of chocolate bitters. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into a chilled coupe (or the equivalent).
Tom Yam, Outrigger Koh Samui – Thailand
The sun-soaked Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort is the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, but until that day comes, the hotel has shared how to make their popular Tom Yam cocktail for sun-worshippers to make at home.
For the Tom Yam you will need 43ml vodka, 28ml rum, 28ml lime juice, 14ml sugar syrup, soda water (for topping), 4 lime leaves, 3 pieces of ginger and 1 piece of lemongrass. Crush all the herbs together in a glass. Then add the vodka, rum, lime juice, sugar syrup and shake. To finish, pour through a filter into a glass filled with ice and top with soda water.
Texas S’mores Cocktail – Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is home to the 112-acre whiskey wonderland that is the Firestone & Robertson Distillery. Nestled on a historic 18-hole golf course, Firestone & Robertson is renowned for their iconic Texas Whiskey and Texas Straight Bourbon, with each bottle finished with a bespoke bottle cap handmade from leather pieces from the best local bootmakers across the city. Their Texas S’mores recipe is simple and perfect for a chilled night on the sofa.
With just two ingredients this is an easy one to make at home. Combine 60ml of whiskey and 90ml of hot chocolate, topping off with soft marshmallows and crumbled biscuit pieces.
Red Sangria, Omni Montelucia – Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale in Arizona is synonymous with wellness and the Omni Montelucia, with its spectacular views of Camelback Mountain, is renowned for its resort and spa offerings that leave guests feeling rejuvenated and zen, including hiking up Camelback Mountain, scenic bike rides through the Sonoran Desert and pampering holistic treatments in the hotel’s Joya spa. Their interpretation of the Red Sangria is almost healthy.
Take one bottle of your favourite Rioja red wine and combine in a large pitcher with 360ml of orange juice, 120ml of sugar syrup and 150ml of Brandy or Grand Marnier. Add two sliced oranges and around six strawberries. Frozen berries can be used too as a substitution for ice. Make 24 hours in advance in a sealed container for full enjoyment.
The Marlow Cocktail – Las Vegas, Nevada
As 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 18th Amendment which introduced Prohibition, Las Vegas invites those in lockdown to create their own Prohibition-style cocktails from home. In the basement of the iconic Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas lies The Underground, an enticing world which takes visitors back to the Prohibition era. Surrounded by stories, images and artefacts from the 1920s, visitors can taste Prohibition-era cocktails in the museum’s speakeasy and tour its on-site distillery for a taste of the past.
A favourite of The Underground is The Marlow. Simply add crushed blackberries, lemon juice, rosemary syrup, sherry and whiskey to a shaker and strain into a glass with ice. Use a sprig of rosemary to garnish. A step by step video by the speakeasy’s talented bartenders to create this delicious cocktail can be found on the Museum’s website.
Ginger and orange health juice – Abu Dhabi, UAE
The United Arab Emirates’ first female national chef, Chef Khulood Atiq, has crafted a menu of drinks using ingredients and nutrients to boost the immune system, ensuring you can stay healthy during this period.
Why not whip up a fresh libation to make you glow from the inside out.
To create the drink, heat 950ml of water. In a bowl, mix 2tbps ginger and 1tbps turmeric, then pour the hot water over.
Cover the mixture and leave for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture to get rid of any pieces of ginger and then add 230ml orange juice and 2tbps lemon juice. Mix well and serve with a garnish of lemon slices or orange and a drizzle of honey.
Enjoy warm or at room temperature. If fresh turmeric is not available, it can be replaced with 1 tsp of turmeric powder.
Ingredients for these recipes can be bought online at Masters of Malt, Drinks Direct and The Whiskey Exchange.
Read more drinks guides and articles in our dedicated section here.
