World Cocktail Day: Raise A Glass To At-Home Cocktail Hour
Celebrate World Cocktail Day – By Rachel Ducker
Cocktails are the ultimate indulgence. They are theatre in a glass; a ritual consisting of ice clink, citrus twist and perfectly balanced flavours that deliver instant pleasure, elevating an average evening into something sublime.
This Saturday (13th May) is World Cocktail Day, celebrating the occasion of the first known printed reference to the word “cocktail” in 1806. Originally described as a combination of spirits, sugar, water and bitters, the ‘cocktail’ has certainly changed since then. We take you on a journey from classics to modern-day creations, examining how cocktails have evolved to become the vibrant and inspiring range of drinks we know today.
From the classic of the martini to the zing of a margarita, via the fizz of a French 75 and the charm of an elderflower spritz, cocktails are growing in popularity and are now so versatile that they can be served at everything from a backyard summer barbecue to a fancy dinner party for friends or a romantic home date for two.
The Rise Of The Home Cocktail Hour
The home bar has had a resurgence over the last few years and is no longer limited to humble drinks trolleys lurking in the back of upmarket homes featured in interiors magazines. Rather a curated cocktail corner is one of the most character filled ways to entertain at home.
Cocktails at home don’t have to be complicated. With a few great spirits, a handful of fresh citrus, a bottle of fizz, a good mixer or two and some beautiful barware (glasses being the most important thing of all) the humblest of drinks can become something really rather special.
No matter how expertly you mix and match, glassware plays a massive role in the party. The glasses need to match the glamour of your cocktails, and the Klink London Knightsbridge Crystal Glass Champagne Coupe Set looks just the part at £25 for a set of four. Lead-free crystal glass gives the coupes the perfect amount of sparkle, and with their vintage-inspired design, these rounded glasses are perfect for serving champagne, cocktails and even dessert wine with their 220ml capacity.
These champagne flute glasses will work perfectly for serving classic cocktails such as a champagne cocktail, a French 75, an espresso martini, as well as a simple prosecco and elderflower spritz! Sometimes it is the glass that does half of the work!
Barware With Personality
Cocktail barware is all about reflecting your personality, and while a minimal approach is always an option (and very appealing), there’s something so happy about incorporating more personality-filled barware into your setup as well.
This little number is a fun twist on the classic corkscrew. Designed by Yvonne Ellen the Seal Wine Corkscrew is made from stainless steel and moulded into resin creating a luxurious yet solid wine opener that will look great in your home bar. £20.
Also suitable for bottled drinks, mixers or beers is the Yvonne Ellen Seahorse Bottle Opener, £10. A glamorous piece made from zinc alloy.
It’s the little things that make all the difference when it comes to hosting a great party these are the pieces that everyone will notice, from centre pieces to things you can display on your drinks trolley after the party’s over.
Simple Cocktail Ideas For World Cocktail Day
It’s World Cocktail Day and here we are at home, so we’ll keep things easy and elegant.
Another one that’s always a good idea: a French 75. A French 75 is a rather simple drink to make (gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and champagne/prosecco) and it looks sensational in a coupe.
Elderflower drinks are great for this time of year. This elderflower spritz was surprisingly nice. Elderflower cordial / liqueur mixed with prosecco and soda water, served over ice with a squeeze of lime.
For a richer alternative, an espresso martini never really goes out of fashion. Made with vodka, coffee liqueur and fresh espresso, this after-dinner cocktail is one that everyone secretly hopes someone else will make for them.
And for those who aren’t drinking alcohol this year, how about a Citrus Garden spritz: elderflower cordial, lime juice, mixed with sparkling water and garnished with slices of cucumber and sprigs of fresh mint – so pretty and festive when served in a big glass.
How To Make Cocktail Hour Feel Special
Detail goes a long way: chill your glasses before serving (these beautiful horn-shaped tulip glasses are vintage Nason & Powell from 1960s USA – all perfectly mismatched and pretty), use real citrus not bottled juice and add a bit of a flourish (peel or mint leaf). Also don’t serve off a table that looks like it’s been rush cleaned in five minutes – present everything artfully on a tray (this is again vintage and could be upcycled very easily).
Rather than go all out and get the full bar cart, a couple of striking statement pieces, be it an elegant coupe or a quirky corkscrew, is all you need to add a touch of finesse to proceedings.
It’s World Cocktail Day so for once let’s not rush it and slowly mix, making the perfect drink and savouring the process of creating a Cocktail. Whether you are having a night in at home with a TV movie or having friends round for a pre dinner drink before you go out to a restaurant, a well made Cocktail can elevate the most mundane of occasions into something really special.
