Yes, yes, we’re all still in the house – mostly, and although things are starting to look up, our favourite local is still a distant memory. I think we should all be relieved that our offies have been deemed “essential” – I fear our society may have slipped into riotous anarchy if they hadn’t. So, lets keep the spirits up and topped up, the holiday feels flowing and the cheeks glowing and create our favourite holiday tipples from our own kitchens…
Ah yes, our Italian Stallion – The Negroni – What better way to warm up when the sun isn’t as strong here as it is on the Amalfi Coast… GIN!
Ingredients
- Campari 25ml gin 25ml
- Martini Rosso 25ml
- orange 1, peeled, for a fancy finish
Method
Throw the heap on the rocks in a glass (or one of those big ‘Sports Direct’ mugs – we’ve all got one) and garnish with orange peel… BOOM!
Old fashioned – Classy and sassy and reminiscent of those wonderful date nights under the stars; traditionally made with a sugar cube, but soft light brown sugar works perfectly and speeds up the mixing time!
Ingredients
- soft light brown sugar 100g
- Angostura bitters a little splash
- bourbon or rye whisky 3 tbsp… or 4… or a house measure 5!
- orange twist to get a fancy garnish
Method
- Put the sugar and 100ml water in a pan and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Cool. This makes loads, but it’s always best to be prepared for an emergency and it keeps in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
- Put 3 tsp of sugar syrup and the bitters in an old fashioned glass (or mug!) and stir until it all comes together.
- Pop in the rocks and throw in the bourbon – give it a good stir. Wee twist of orange peel… Job’s a guddun!
Trendy New York need not wait for flights to resume – you can be just as chic in your own living room (if you manage to move that pile of ironing from the back of the sofa and run the vacuum cleaner over the floor first!) Manhattan – Need I say more! For when you’re too cool to even talk to anyone…
Ingredients
- bourbon or rye whisky 50ml
- sweet red vermouth 25ml
- Angostura bitters (a good splash)
- cocktail cherry to garnish 1-2
Method
- Put the bourbon or whisky, vermouth and bitters into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and get a bit Tom Cruise – Go on, no one’s watching.
- Strain into a cocktail glass and chuck in the cherries.
The Mojito – Cool, fresh, Caribbean delight! We all love a Mojito. Sure it’s not the same when it’s not being sipped with those warm Caribbean waves gently rocking your lilo… But if you wear your bikini in the bath you’re half way there! After a couple of these little minty rascals, you’ll not care where you are!
Ingredients
- fresh mint leaves 10, plus a sprig to make it pretty
- white sugar 3 tsp
- Havana Club 3
- Años rum 50ml
- soda to fill’er up
- Angostura bitters 3 drops
Method
- Mix the mint leaves with the sugar in a glass.
- Pour in the rum and give it a wee stir.
- Add a good few ice cubes, top with soda and stir again.
- Add the Angostura Bitters and don’t forget that little pretentious mint sprig on the top.
Do you like Pina Colada and getting caught in the rain? Brilliant! Lockdown in Northern Ireland is the perfect setting for such an activity! Fill up the paddling pool, whip the deck chairs out and the ‘taps aff’… You’re on your holidays; and if it starts to rain? SING ALONG!
Ingredients
- caster sugar 100g
- white rum 70ml
- pineapple juice 80ml
- coconut cream 60ml
- pineapple for curb appeal
Method
- Put the sugar and 100ml water in a pan and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves (watch you don’t burn it!) Or if you’ve been making Old Fashioned’s you’ll already have some of this sweet sticky nectar already in the fridge!
- Put the rest of the ingredients, 2 tsp of the sugar syrup and a wee handful of ice in a blender and whizz it all up like a grown up slushy.
- Pour into a cocktail glass, with more ice if that floats your boat, and garnish with a pineapple wedge to serve.
White Russian – Bring back the 70’s when this little beauty was all the bizz! Pop on a bit of ‘The Best of Rod Stewart’ and go retro with the Russian! DA!
Ingredients
- vodka 2 tbsp… or 3?
- coffee liqueur
- 2 tbsp single cream 2 tbsp
Method
- Fill an old fashioned glass with ice.
- Pour the vodka, coffee liqueur and cream in and stir until combined before serving.
Needless to say… Drink responsibly! We’ve all been protecting the NHS by staying indoors, so lets not put them under any undue pressure from alcohol induced injuries – That would defeat the purpose! Enjoy sensibly enough that you cause no harm to yourself, others or set fire to anything! Chin Chin!
