DIY Cocktail Recipes to Make During Lockdown

We might not be able to hit the bars, but you can still make the most of a Happy Hour at home with these delicious DIY cocktail recipes to make during lockdown.

Photo by Olena Sergienko

Whether you’re planning a virtual hen party or working on developing some new cocktail ideas for your big day with your new-found spare time, this may just be the perfect opportunity to try your hand at some DIY cocktails to see you through the lockdown.

With the lockdown under effect, Friday nights are not the same right now. These easy-to-make cocktails are the perfect #stayathome drinks, using kitchen cupboard staples that most of you will have at home. Try your hand at one of these and enjoy these unconventional flavours while you perch around your house. 

Delicious DIY Cocktails to Make During the Lockdown

Transport your taste buds around the world with this delectable digest of wanderlust-inducing cocktails from a hand-picked selection of the some world’s greatest drinks. Follow the recipes to recreate these cocktails at home.

The Espresso Martini

A sweet-toothed tipple that is perfect as a post-dinner digestif, the classic cocktail is concocted using only three ingredients. Here’s how to make your own Espresso Martini at home.

Photo by Sebastian Coman Photography

DIY COCKTAIL ESPRESSO MARTINI RECIPE & METHOD

• Two shot glasses of espresso, or instant coffee mixed with hot water (make it strong!). We recommend two teaspoons of instant coffee to one spoon of sugar

• Two shot glasses of Vodka – any will do

• Two drops of vanilla extract

• Shake well in a tin jar or cocktail shaker with ice

• Strain and pour into your favourite cocktail glass (ideally a Martini glass)

Tip: to make this extra sweet or to adapt into a fun dessert, you could blend the coffee mix and Vodka with two tablespoons of vanilla, chocolate or caramel ice cream – take your pick

The Aperol Spritz

Italy has been perfecting spritz hour for decades, and now #spritzlife (yes, it’s a hashtag) has fully bubbled up around the world, due in no small part to a huge marketing push from Aperol’s maker, Campari. Now, you can enjoy a classic Aperol Spritz with a French twist from your own garden with this DIY Aperol Spritz cocktail recipe.

Photo by Tomasz Rynkiewicz

DIY APEROL SPRITZ RECIPE & METHOD

• 40ml Aperol

• 60ml Côtes de Provence white wine (or whatever white wine that hasn't been downed yet!)

• 60ml soda water

• One orange

• Pour the Aperol into a wine glass filled with ice

• Pour the wine and soda water into a siphon and complete the cocktail with the mixture

• Decorate with fresh orange slices

The Bellini

It’s hard to imagine anything more elegant than sipping a Bellini outside on a veranda somewhere exotic. The next best thing however, would be sampling this at home. Channel Rivera chic from your kitchen by following this DIY Bellini cocktail recipe.

Photo by Natalia Ostashova

DIY BELLINI RECIPE & METHOD

• 140ml of Champagne

• 15ml peach cream or Peachtree liqueur

• 100ml fresh peach purée

• Mix all ingredients together and serve in a long, chilled Champagne flute

Piña Colada

'If you like Pina Coladas and getting caught out in the rain...' Dance around the kitchen with this tropical blend of rich coconut cream, white rum and tangy pineapple - serve with an umbrella for kitsch appeal.

Photo by Alev Takil

DIY PINA COLADA RECIPE & METHOD

• 120ml pineapple juice

• 60ml white rum

• 60ml coconut cream

• wedge of pineapple to garnish (optional)

• Pulse all the ingredients along with a handful of ice in a blender until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish as you like.

The Rum Punch

Described as being “sweet, a little tart, but full of magic,” this brew is a strong, timeless staple. You can substitute in a rum of your choice.

DIY RUM PUNCH COCKTAIL RECIPE & METHOD

• 120ml 5-year-old English Harbour rum

• 30ml fresh lime juice

• Two dashes of Angostura bitters

• 30ml Simple Syrup

• Fresh cinnamon powder

• Pineapple and lime to garnish

• Muddle all ingredients together, excluding the cinnamon powder

• Shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker or similar

• Serve over ice in a short glass and garnish with cinnamon powder, a slice of pineapple and one lime wheel or wedge

Mojito

Mix this classic cocktail for a Saturday night-in 'party' using fresh mint, white rum, sugar, zesty lime and cooling soda water. Play with the quantities to suit your taste.

Photo by Romet Tagobert

DIY MOJITO COCKTAIL RECIPE & METHOD

• juice of 1 lime

• 1 tsp granulated sugar

• small handful of mint leaves, plus extra sprig to serve

• 60ml white rum

• soda water, to taste

• Muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go – you can use the end of a rolling pin for this. Pour into a tall glass and add a handful of ice.

• Pour over the rum, stirring with a long-handled spoon. Top up with soda water, garnish with mint and serve.

Margarita

Stir up this classic tequila cocktail for a zoom party using tangy triple sec and lime juice. Don't forget to serve in a salt-rimmed Martini glass! Your social distanced friends will be very impressed!

Photo by bckfwd

DIY MARGARITA COCKTAIL RECIPE & METHOD

• 50ml Tequila

• 1½ tbsp lime juice, plus extra for the glass (1 lime should be sufficient)

• 1 tbsp triple sec

• Salt and slice of lime, to serve

• Put a little salt on a saucer, then wipe the rim of your Martini glass with lime juice. Turn the glass upside down in the salt and twist to coat.

• Stir the ingredients and a little ice together or put them in a cocktail shaker to combine. Strain into a chilled Martini glass. Serve with a slice of lime.

Bring a twist to your virtual Friday night drinks or at-home wedding dress browsing session with these easy DIY Cocktails to make during lockdown! Stay home, stay safe!