Cocktails for cosy season
Cosy night in cocktails
To paraphrase a well known saying - what have the Danes ever done for us? Well, they’ve shared with the world the idea of hygge. Pronounced hoo-gah, hygge is a concept which emphasises creating a sense of warmth, comfort, cosiness and contentment, particularly in the home.
Isn’t that a novel idea? Instead of feeling like we have to always look busy or find a chore to do, simply let the hygge heal our hearts and minds. Excellent for the cold, grey months.
Find your own hygge with these cocktails and cosy night in pairings.
Batch cocktails - perfect for box-set viewings
When you’re swaddled up on the sofa with multiple episodes of something waiting for you on your favourite streaming site, the last thing you’ll want to do is keep pausing and leaving your warm nest to get a drink.
Mojito jug
You’ll need:
350ml Captain Morgan white rum
600ml sparkling water
6 limes to muddle
4 tablespoons of granulated sugar
5 mint sprigs
To make:
In a two-litre jug, muddle together the sugar and limes
Once muddled, add mint sprigs and add ice (fill the jug about three-quarters to the top)
Next, add in your rum
Slowly pour in your soda water
This jug should make six cocktails - share with a friend on a lazy night in and serve in a tall glass.
What’s great about a Mojito jug is you can also easily elevate the recipe based on your preference - or what you have going spare.
For example, if you fancied making them blueberry mojitos, instead of muddling limes, you’d muddle approximately 100 grams of blueberries with the sugar and follow the rest of the recipe as usual.
Bloody Mary
If your cosy night is more of a lazy weekend day in, a Bloody Mary jug can serve up the feeling of a brunch without the effort of having to get there.
You’ll need [to make a jug of four serves]:
200ml vodka
1L tomato juice
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
few shakes Worcestershire sauce
few shakes Tabasco
pinch celery salt
pinch black pepper
To make:
Fill a jug with ice
Measure the vodka, tomato juice and lemon juice and pour it straight onto the ice
Add around five shakes of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco (or more if you like it very spicy) and a pinch of celery salt and pepper
Stir until the outside of the jug feels cold, then strain the cocktail into 2 tall glasses.
The Singleton Peach Cobbler - perfect for a night of sweet treats
Adam Hussein is the ambassador for Johnnie Walker’s luxury Blue Label whisky, so he knows how to serve up the most inspired treats.
One of his ultimate suggestions is like a warming dessert in a glass - and a wonderful addition to a serving of finger foods, snacks and gossiping with friends all night.
You’ll need:
40ml The Singleton
15ml Tio Pepe (this is what Adam recommends, but if you can’t get it, any dry, white sherry will do!)
20ml Peach Monin
10ml Sugar Syrup
100ml of your favourite fizz (Prosecco, Champagne etc)
Mint (for garnish)
To make::
Measure everything but your fizz and pour into a highball glass
Add crushed ice (2/3 full) and churn for 15 seconds
Top with 100ml Prosecco / Champagne
Finish by adding a few mint leaves for garnish.
Me, Myself and (Martin)i - cap off a night of ‘you time’
There’s just something about a Martini that instantly feels… extra. If your night in is less messy hair and pyjamas and more Nina Simone and trying on a selection of new outfits or experimenting with makeup looks for your next night out, these Martini recipes will give you that added touch of refinement.
Vesper Martini - the classic
Setting the scene for this night of self-improvement and self-confidence boosting are two takes on an elegant, elevated Martini.
You’ll need:
25ml gin (we recommend Tanqueray No Ten for this timeless recipe)
35ml vodka (Ciroc will add a luxury feel)
10ml dry white vermouth
One lemon peel
To make:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
Measure and pour in your vodka, gin and dry vermouth
Shake until the surface of the shaker feels chilled
Strain the mixture into a martini glass
Cut a strip of lemon peel and twist onto the rim of the glass to garnish.
Baileys Flat White Martini - an indulgent twist
Deliciously decadent, allow yourself the added indulgence of creamy, sweet Baileys with the classic makings of a Martini.
You’ll need:
50ml Baileys Original Irish Cream
25ml vodka
25ml espresso
3 coffee beans (for garnish).
To make:
Measure your Baileys, vodka, and espresso and add to a cocktail shaker
Shake hard over ice
Strain into a martini glass, and garnish with the coffee beans.
The Seedlip Martini Moment - sophisticated moderation
An alcohol-free Martini moment is great for anyone choosing not to drink or looking to moderate this cosy season.
A smooth and sleek martini with Seedlip Spice 94, this is a flavourful concoction with just the right amount of sweet and spicy notes.
You’ll need:
50ml Seedlip Spice 94
50ml fresh espresso
15ml sugar syrup
To make:
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker
Shake hard over ice
Strain into a coupette and garnish with three coffee beans.
The Whistling Blackbird - perfect for a glam night in
The Whistling Blackbird is a delightful cocktail that captures the essence of hygge with its rich, fruit-forward flavours and a touch of smoky warmth. With a blend of decadent flavours and luxury spirits, it’s great for those nights where you run a hot bath, light your favourite candles and sink into a freshly made bed right after.
You’ll need:
45ml Don Julio Reposado
10ml Crème de Cassis
15ml Monin Blackberry
40ml pineapple juice
15ml lime juice
5ml Talisker 10
Egg white (optional)
To make:
Combine The Singleton, lemon juice, apple syrup, and egg white (if using) in a shaker without ice
Dry shake vigorously to emulsify the egg white
Add ice and shake again until chilled
Strain into a chilled glass.
A classic Hot Toddy - for when you just want a comforting cup
Whether you’re wrapping Christmas presents in the run-up to the big day or finishing off leftovers after, there’s nothing like a Hot Toddy on a cold night.
You’ll need:
50ml of your favourite whisky (why not try Johnnie Walker Black Label?)
75ml boiling water
25ml honey
15ml lemon juice
1-3 cloves
To make:
Add your whisky, lemon juice, honey and cloves to a mug or heatproof glass
Pour in the boiling water and stir
Feel free to add more cloves, lemon or honey to your taste - as a general rule, if you prefer it sweeter, add more honey and less cloves. If you want more spice, add up to five cloves and have a touch less honey.
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