Meeting up with friends or hosting a BBQ over the next Bank Holiday weekend? If so, you might be hoping to offer your guests more than just Pimm’s and lemonade.
Luckily, serving up delicious cocktails at home doesn’t have to be complicated – and it can work out much cheaper than going out for drinks, too. To see our best suggestions and top tips for drinking cocktails at home, read on.
1. Espresso martini
timeless classic: it’s hard to turn down an espresso martini – but did you know that it’s just as easy to make at home? The quality of the ‘espresso’ used makes the difference between an average and an incredible cocktail, but whatever your home coffee setup might be, the ingredients and steps involved are simple.
You’ll only need freshly brewed coffee, vodka, coffee liqueur, a dash of sweet syrup, and coffee beans to garnish the drink, if that’s your style. Shaken over ice until cold and then strained into a martini glass, you can’t go wrong with an espresso martini.
2. Sex on the beach
Naughty by name, fruity by nature. This cocktail is an absolute summer essential for every vodka lover, and it’s made using only a few staple ingredients – making it a cost-effective choice if you’re entertaining for lots of guests. A simple combination of vodka, cranberry juice orange juice and peach schnapps supplies perfect, punchy panache.
Sex on the beach comes with an element of irresistible indulgence, and it’s always a pleasure to watch someone else make it for you. Why not book mobile cocktail lessons to elevate the entertainment at your next party?
3. Old fashioned
Whisky might not be to everyone’s taste, but there’s no denying the hold of the Old Fashioned. Bitters, burnt peel, a fine Scotch whisky and a sprinkling of sugar make this traditional tipple hard to resist.
To make it at home, start by putting the sugar, bitters, and a dash of water into a tumbler. Mix with a stirrer until the sugar completely dissolves. Next, fill up your tumbler with chunky ice cubes and carefully stir in the whisky, with a splash of soda if you fancy a slight fizz. Garnish with torched orange peel if you can.
4. Aperol Spritz
This cocktail is technically an aperitif, but that means it’s even better suited to all-day garden parties, keeping your thirst at bay. Aperol is traditionally mixed with just prosecco and soda water, but we love modern twists on the recipe. Why not try two parts Aperol, one part whisky, and one part lemon juice? It’s a sharp, sweet, tangy sensation.
5.Raspberry mojito
If you can get your hands on some crushed ice and fresh mint leaves, mojitos are an absolute must. We’d recommend slapping the mint leaves between your hands first to release those decadent aromas. Then, simply mix white rum, fresh lime juice, fresh raspberries, and mint leaves with a splash of soda for the ultimate summer refresher.
If you have a favourite cocktail recipe to make at home, go ahead and share it in the comments section below. We’d love to see it!
