When it comes to COVID safety, my roommates and I are super careful about not taking any unnecessary risks. However, this means that we don’t really get out much, aside from our daily walks. Lately we have been itching to actually do something that takes us outside of our normal routine so, like most, we ran to Tik Tok. After compiling a very lengthy list of ideas that is still displayed on our living room chalkboard, we decided on a Cocktail Night, where everyone is tasked with making their own unique and (hopefully) tasty drink.
While a few different types of alcohol are needed for the recipes, we managed to only use Malibu rum, vodka and Blue Curaçao for all of our drinks. I would definitely recommend splitting bottles of whatever you like with your roommates. You’re all going to drink it and enjoy it together anyway, so, why not make it a little less costly for all of you?
Other than that, all of these drinks have minimal ingredients that can all be found at a Walmart or nearby grocery store and require very little skill – it makes them super student friendly!
1. Raspberry Coconut Mojito
This drink was actually delicious and we were very proud of the roommate who came up with it. If you can’t get mint, leave it out and you’re left with a raspberry coconut seltzer.
What you’ll need:
- Raspberries
- Mint leaves
- Limes
- Malibu rum
- Sparkling water (we used raspberry flavoured but any will work)
How to make it:
- Start by making a sugar rim on all of your glasses (here’s a how-to).
- Then you’ll want to muddle 4 mint leaves, 6 raspberries, and some lime juice (squishing them together with a wooden spoon also works!).
- Add these to a glass of ice and then add 2 ounces (or less – 5 drinks in one night is a lot) of Malibu.
- Top the drinks off with sparkling water and a lime wedge on the rim.
2. Vodka Peach Slushy
My roommate went very DIY on this one, making the perfect drink for fast approaching summer days.
What you’ll need:
- Frozen peach slices
- Vodka
- Peach juice or Peach Schnapps (we used peach iced tea)
How to make it:
- Combine peach juice and frozen peach slices in a blender with ice until the texture of a slushy!
- Pour into your glasses and top with 2 ounces of vodka, then mix.
- Top with a peach slice!
3. Blue Peaches
This drink is very pretty, even if it is a little strong.
What you’ll need:
- Peach juice/Peach Schnapps
- Blue Curaçao
- Vodka
- Sprite
How to make it:
- Fill your glass with ice.
- Add 1 ounce of peach juice or peach schnapps and 1 ounce of Blue Curaçao.
- Add 2 ounces of vodka.
- Garnish with a lemon slice or use the frozen peach slices from before! (We used the frozen peaches as our ice cubes)
4. Strawberry Vodka Lemonade
This is the drink that I made, and it was, in my opinion, the prettiest one.
What you’ll need:
- Vodka
- Strawberries
- Lemonade
How to make it:
- Create a sugar rim on all of your glasses.
- Slice 2 strawberries and muddle, then place at the bottom of the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add 1.5 ounces of vodka.
- Top with lemonade.
- Add a strawberry to the rim of your glass!
5. Malibu Sunrise
Were we all tired at this point? Yes. Did we all finish this drink because it tasted like juice? Also, yes.
What you’ll need:
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Malibu rum
- Grenadine
- Sparkling water
How to make it:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add 3 ounces of pineapple juice, 1 ounce of orange juice and 2 ounces of Malibu.
- Pour a small amount of grenadine down the side of the glass, letting it sink to the bottom. (Don’t stir or it won’t look like a sunrise anymore!)
- Top with sparkling water.
- Add a lime slice as a garnish. (We used the leftovers from the first drink!)
This night was super fun, and to make it feel even less like we were still at home, we all dressed up, did our makeup and took pictures. We have so many fun memories of this night; from taking some great pictures for Instagram while sipping our drinks, to trying (and failing) to become Tik Tok stars.
COVID fatigue is hitting all of us hard right now, so try to find time to break out of your routine with the people you love. Maybe you’ll use some of the drinks we made, or maybe you’ll create your own; but either way, having a cocktail night with your COVID bubble will definitely be a great way to pass the time and get out of your routine even for just a night.