Guest post written by Lauren Cowie.
If, like me, you are missing a pint, cocktail, or nice large glass of wine in your local pub. Spending time with your friends, rather than sitting on your sofa in your comfiest pjs, binge-watching trashy American reality tv (Below Deck anyone?) – then these festive tipples are sure to help cheer you up and get you into the Christmas spirit!
As much as I miss being a punter in a bar myself, I also miss being on the other side of the bar and all the chaos that comes with working in hospitality over the Christmas period.
From the wild office party bookings who forget what they ordered, to the teachers who turn into children themselves, with one drop of tequila rose.
Mostly, however, I will miss the regulars and, of course, my colleagues, turned friends, who help make every Christmas/New Year in hospitality a memorable one.
But for now, we can put on our sequins, lippy, and joggers, (classic combo, right?) get one of these cocktails in hand and have a boogie over zoom with our besties.
Let’s be honest, this year will probably be the most memorable of all!
Baileys Martini
Ingredients:
25ml Baileys coffee liqueur
25ml vodka
Espresso shot
Vanilla Extract – just a dash
Method:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker (or Tupperware ) with plenty of ice then give a good hard shake!
Shake until outside of shaker feels cold and there is a slight foam then strain into a rock or coupe glass and garnish
with a dusting of cocoa powder or a few coffee beans- simple and delish!
Pear and Ginger Fizz
Ingredients:
35ml pear and ginger cordial
50ml gin
squeeze wedge of lemon
dash of prosecco/champagne
Method:
To make the cordial:
Whizz 3/4 pears and 5cm of grated ginger in a blender until fairly smooth.
Add this to saucepan along with 125g of caster sugar, juice from one lemon and a tsp of vanilla extract.
Cook for 20 minute on a low heat, remove from heat and once cooled pour into a jar and refrigerate until needed.
For the cocktail:
Add all the ingredients except from the fizz to a shaker with ice.
Give a good shake.
Then strain roughly 25ml into the bottom of a tall fizz glass and top with fizz of your choice!
Hot Spiced Rum and Apple
Ingredients:
300 ml Apple juice
100 ml Dark rum
Orange slice/peel
cinnamon sticks and cloves
Apple for garnish
Method:
In a saucepan add all ingredients and cook on a low to medium heat until there is a gentle steam, make sure it doesn’t boil as this will cause the alcohol burn away.
Serve in a rocks glass or mug with a thin slice of apple and a cinnamon stick.
Rhubarb and Ginger Negroni
Ingredients:
30ml Rhubarb and Ginger liqueur
30ml Campari
30ml sweet or floral vermouth
Orange peel to garnish
Method:
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass or jug with ice, then stir with a bar spoon (or any long spoon) until the outside of the glass feels cold.
Strain into a rocks glass over a large block of ice.
Garnish with an orange peel and twist over glass before placing it in to release the zest.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday season – even if it will be a bit of a strange one!
Please be sure to tag @besos_betty in any pics you take of these yummy drinks – I’d love to see your handiwork!
Read more:
Besos Betty’s Boycott Bezos Small Business Gift Guide 2020