As we head into the throes of Autumn, your next student loan payment may seem a lifetime away. But that’s all the more reason to spice up your pres! To help you out, I’ve compiled a collection of minimal ingredient, minimal fuss cocktails to get the party started – and impress a few flatmates along the way.
Hugo Spritz
A classic, and my personal favourite. This refreshing beverage is often dismissed as a summer staple, but they can be enjoyed all year round! Perfect for those looking for an easy, lower alcohol cocktail.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Alcohol Level: Moderately tipsy after two glasses
Ingredients:
- Elderflower cordial/syrup
- Soda water
- Prosecco
- Mint leaves
Instructions: Fill a wine glass with ice and pour about a shot of elderflower (sweet tooth dependent). Next comes 125ml of COLD prosecco, topped up with 50ml soda water. Don’t fret about ratios and measurements; every Hugo can be modified slightly to your taste.
‘Make it Mock’: Simply switch out your prosecco for an alcoholic free bottle. Any zero per cent dry wine works too!
Cheeky Vimto
For a taste of noughties nostalgia, why not try this sweet, blackcurrant-y drink? Shockingly, you don’t even need Vimto to perfectly recreate the taste and hue of your childhood cordial.
Prep Time: As long as it takes you to open a bottle of port.
Alcohol Level: Depends on how cheeky you’re feeling ; )
Ingredients:
- A bottle of red port (sounds fancier than it is)
- WKD Blue
Instructions: Start with a glass of ice and drop in 50ml of red port. Top up with WKD Blue.
Pro Tip: If you’re going HARD at pres, try adding a shot of vodka for an ‘Extra Cheeky Vimto’.
Citrus Mint Sparkler
If you don’t drink or simply fancy a night off the booze, check out this zesty and bubbly mocktail.
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Alcohol Level: Zero.
Ingredients:
- ½ lemon or lime (or both)
- Some fresh mint leaves
- Sparkling water
- Honey or sugar
Instructions: Squeeze your lemon/lime juice into a glass with your mint leaves. Stir in a small spoon of honey or sugar for a sweeter taste. Top off with your sparkling water.
Pro tip: Gently press the mint leaves with a spoon to release the aroma.
Kalimotxo
Whilst the name of this niche cocktail might be unfamiliar to you, its simple ingredients won’t be. This trendy party drink originates in Spain and is 100 per cent the easiest concoction you’ll ever make.
Prep Time: Not even worth considering
Alcohol Level: Measly
Ingredients:
- Red wine
- Cola
- Slice of lemon
Instructions: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and equal parts red wine and cola.
Fun fact: Diet Coke actually gets you drunk quicker!
Dark n’ Stormy
If you’re one for pathetic fallacy and want your drink to match the likely grim Edinburgh Winter, the Dark’ n’ Stormy cocktail is for you.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Alcohol Level: Packs a punch
Ingredients:
- 50ml dark rum
- 10ml lime juice
- A ginger beer
Instructions: Add your ice to a glass and pour in the ginger beer, followed by lime juice. To finish, add your dark rum and place a slice of lime on the rim of the glass (for effect).
‘Make it Mock’: For a zero per cent Dark n’ Stormy, switch your rum for black tea and your ginger beer to an alcohol free alternative. We also recommend a salty lime cordial instead of juice to enhance the drink’s flavours. Strongly brewed black tea (think English Breakfast) infuses the lime cordial with a warmth that complements the spice of a ginger beer.
Photo by Adrian Infernus on Unsplash.