Across the country, businesses that were deemed “non-essential” were ordered to temporarily shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The exception where the essential businesses like grocery stores and gas stations.
Also deemed essential were liquor stores. In fact, there are some instances where the uproar over closing liquor stores leads to their reopening. This has meant that virtual happy hours have sprung up among friends.
If you want to set up a virtual happy hour, then you’ll need to get a tasty cocktail ready. Here are the recipes to try out:
GARIBALDI
The trick with the Garibaldi is to squeeze the orange juice right before you start mixing. The fresher the better. What can be simpler than 2 ingredients?
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Campari
- Fresh orange juice
The Mix: Add 2 ice cubes to glass. Add Campari and a little of the orange juice. Stir well to combine. Add 1 more ice cube and fill the remainder of glass with orange juice. Garnish with orange wedge resting on the rim and a plastic stirrer.
ULTIMATELY
This is a drink with a kick in more ways than one. The ingredients include a dash of Jalapeno syrup. Did you even know that was a thing?
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Gin
- 1.5 oz. Cucumber water
- 0.5 oz. Lime juice
- 0.5 oz. Simple syrup
- 0.5 oz. Jalapeno simple syrup
*For the cucumber water, peel and juice one cucumber
*For the jalapeño simple syrup, use 5 jalapenos for every 15 oz. of simple syrup
The Mix: Combine all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass.
HAKKATINI
There are many variations on the simple martini. This version steps up the “fruit flavors.”
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Vodka
- 1 oz. Orange liqueur
- ¼ oz. Italian red bitter liqueur (such as Campari)
- ¾ oz. Pressed apple juice
The Mix: Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake to mix ingredients and fine strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a twist of orange.
Mojito
A mojito is easy to make in a blender. Yes, you can mash up the ingredients with a pestle but who has time for that?
Ingredients:
- 6 oz light rum
- 12 mint springs or spearmint
- 6 tbs lime juice
- 4 tbs sugar
- Club soda
- Garnish with lime slices
The Mix: Add everything to a blender and mix. Pour into a glass and garnish with lime slices.
Daiquiri
Like the martini, the daiquiri is one of those cocktails that can be improvised with all kinds of added flavors. Any kind of blended fruit could work. Give them all a try!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz light rum
- 1 oz lime juice
- 3/4 oz sugar syrup
- Garnish with a lime twist
The Mix: Add ingredients to a shaker and pour over ice in a tall glass.
