LOCKDOWN co*ckTAIL (LOCKTAILS?) RECIPES - Megan Ellaby (2024)

There's a few things that I've discovered during these lockdown days that make me really rather happy indeed. Whether thats reading in the sunshine, pottering at home or painting, they're things I'd really like to take through to real life once this is all over. Another thing that has brought me immense joy over these dark days is co*cktail hour.
I've always loved a cheeky co*cktail or two but found them to be a bit of a faff to make at home. But now with the extra time on our hands I've been experimenting with co*cktails and have found that I really enjoy mixing up a drink or two for George and I to enjoy on a sunny evening at home.
I've been sharing my concoctions over on Instagram and I've had a few people ask for the recipes so here we go, the co*cktails I've been making and enjoying lately.

First up we have the chilli pineapple vodka, something I completely winged but absolutely LOVE all the same. It's a super refreshing drink that is perfect for summertime.

1. Pour one shot of vodka into a co*cktail shaker with tonnes of ice and a chopped up chilli (deseeded if you'd prefer, but personally I like it hot)

2. Add one teaspoon of agave syrup to the shaker along with 60ml of pineapple juice

3. Shake baby shake

4. After a good minute or so of shaking, strain the co*cktail into your glass, leaving the chopped up chilli behind

5. Pour into your glass of choice and garnish with more chilli if you wish.

ENJOY!

The Negroni
Another fave of the past couple of weeks and one I've suddenly started craving since putting this blogpost together... Even if it is just 10am... Roll on 5pm hey!
An absolute classic and one I aways enjoy on a night out and now a night in. It's a super easy one to make so here goes;

1. Fill a jug with ice and add 30ml of gin (my fave is Bombay Sapphire) 30ml of Martini Bitters (or Aperol is a great alternative and just as delicious) and 30ml of Vermouth again by Martini.

2. Mix it all together until the outside of the jug is super cold to the touch, usually a good 2 minutes will do the trick. You can also shake this in a co*cktail shaker if you wish.

3. Strain over more ice, garnish with orange peel (some like to burn the peel to add a smoky flavour) and enjoy!

Amaretto Sour
Okay, okay I know I keep saying this but this was SUCH A GOODIE! I absolutely ADORE amaretto, my fave being good ole Disaronno who I had the pleasure of working with over on Instagram last week, and I love anything sour so naturally was craving a cheeky Amaretto sour whilst in lockdown.
I'm not mad on drinks with egg white, so decided to swerve that element which I really didn't miss, the co*cktail was possibly even better sans egg white...

1. Measure out 30ml Amaretto into a co*cktail shaker, add a tablespoon of syrup (not essential IMO tbh) and a good squeeze of fresh lemon and shake.

2. Once you've had a good ole shake, strain into a glass and garnish with a chunk of lemon, easy peasy, lemon squeezy...

Espresso Martini
Now is the turn of my all time favourite co*cktail, my go-to on many-a-night out and now what appears to be my weekend treat at home too. Admittedly George is the maker of the best Espresso Martini around and he's assured me that it doesn't matter what coffee you have, whether it's instant or from a fancy machine, as long as it's strong coffee, you use tonnes of ice and you shake it REALLY hard, then you'll get the perfect foamy Espresso Martini.

1. Measure out 50ml of coffee with 50ml of vodka and 50ml of Kahlua into a co*cktail shaker full of ice.

2. Shake like your life depends on it!

3. Strain the mix through a sieve (double strain) tapping the co*cktail shaker on the side of the sieve as you go (perhaps I need to film him doing this?) as this makes it super foamy and frothy.

4. Et voila!

Tommy's Margarita.
I'm not usually a huge fan of Tequilla based drinks but when George surprised me with this baby on a sunny afternoon in the garden, I truly couldn't get enough! It's zesty, sweet and utterly perfect for summertime... But one really is enough for me haha.

1. Measure 50ml of Tequilla, 25ml of fresh lime and 25ml of Agave Syrup into a co*cktail shaker full of ice.

2. Give it one short hard shake

3. Strain the mix through a sieve (double strain) into a salt rimmed glass.. DELISH!

So that's five co*cktails we've been enjoying over the past few weeks of lockdown. It's been a really nice "event" on an evening to experiment and play around with co*cktails and something I hope we will continue throughout lockdown and into real life.
I'll add to this blogpost as we go so do keep it bookmarked if you fancy some more and be sure to tag me in any of your co*cktail creations!

x M