National Happy Hour Day is tomorrow, November 12. To celebrate, here are a few fan-favorite cocktails from destinations across the globe perfect for enjoying in the comforts of home:
White Pumpkin Cocktail
The Terrace at the Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa in Johannesburg’s affluent suburb of Sandhurst provides a superb sundowner setting to enjoy views of the alluring gardens, the hotel’s focal point, the infinity pool, and beyond. The relaxed restaurant is one of the most ideal spots in the city to sip on a cocktail at leisure and unwind after a long day. The Saxon’s Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, Ashwin Ryan shared his White Pumpkin cocktail, an excellent seasonal cocktail to enjoy in the fall:
0.85 oz vodka
0.85 oz coffee liquor
2 oz coconut cream
1 tbs pumpkin purée
1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
In a cocktail shaker with ice, add vodka, coffee liquor, pumpkin purée and pumpkin spice. Shake well. Pour the liquid into a chilled port or a coupe glass. Then gently float the coconut cream on the cocktail by pouring the cream over the back of a spoon. Finally, dust with pumpkin spice and enjoy!
Autumic William Located in the heart of the city of Bath sits the Gainsborough Bath Spa, the perfect retreat after a day of sightseeing and exploring the ancient Roman Baths. This fall, guests of the luxury property can relax at the Gainsborough Bar and enjoy their newest offering, an Autumic William, boasting the flavors of pear and vanilla. Here's how to make the new fan-favorite at home: 1 oz of Remi Martin 1738 1/2 oz of Punt e mez (Vermouth) 1/2 oz of Briotett Poire (Pear liquor) 1/4 oz of vanilla syrup 1 oz of cloudy apple juice Mix all ingredients in a shaker. Pour into a glass and top with seltzer. Garnish with a dehydrated pear.
Warm Spiced Rosé Wayve Kolevsohn, Sommelier at Cape Town's Ellerman House, and Africa’s first female Master Sommelier shared her Warmed Spiced Rosé cocktail, one of her favorite cocktails for fall and a fantastic drink to pair with fruity desserts or to sip on during chilly evenings. At Ellerman House, the Brandy Lounge in the Wine Gallery is an excellent and fitting setting to enjoy the Warm Spiced Rosé. Here's how to make it at home: 1 bottle of rosé wine ½ cup of white sugar 4x cardamom pods 1x cinnamon stick 1x star anise 5x cloves 1 tsp of fresh ginger peeled and chopped Zest of half an orange Juice of half an orange 2.55 oz Brandy or Cognac Combine all ingredients in a pot, cover it with cling wrap to prevent any liquid from evaporating. Gently heat the liquid to a simmer for 10 minutes. Allow to cool, remove the cling wrap and strain well with a sieve or tea-strainer.This wine will keep for up to a week. Re-heat before serving. Recipe serves 6.
Classic Manhattan Paired perfectly with this chic Tribeca penthouse from luxury travel club THIRDHOME, a Manhattan is an easy to make American cocktail meant to be joined while soaking in views of the city that never sleeps. Here's how to make one at home: Ice 2 oz Rye Whiskey 1 oz sweet vermouth 2 dashes of bitters 1 maraschino cherry for garnish Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the whiskey, vermouth and bitters and stir well. Strain into a chilled glass and use the cherry for garnish.
Apple Pie in the Sky Situated in St. Moritz, the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz is a classic example of the destination’s renowned elegance and exclusivity. While it boasts 60 suites, a lavish penthouse and 4,155 square foot spa and wellness center, the place to be is the Carlton Bel Etage and sun terrace with the their signature Apple Pie in the Sky cocktail in hand. Here's how to recreate the fabulous drink at home: ¾ oz Etter Vieille Pomme Royale ⅓ oz cinnamon liqueur 1⅓ oz unfiltered natural apple juice ⅓ oz chestnut honey Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and mix until chilled. Strain into a martini glass. Top with Louis Roederer champagne brut. Passion Fruit-Rum Cocktail Fregate Island in the Seychelles is sharing their recipe for the fan-favorite Passion Fruit-Rum Cocktail, perfect for those looking for to indulge in some island time. Here's how to make it at home: 2 oz passion fruit 2 oz of Takamaka white rum 2 teaspoons fine sugar Mint leaf for garnish Ice cubes for mixing Crushed ice Mix all ingredients with the ice cubes in the shaker, fill glass with crushed ice and pour mixed cocktail. Garnish with mint leaf and star fruit and sit back and enjoy.
Smokin’ Honey Negroni Hotel Arts Barcelona’s P41/Cocteralrium has the perfect cocktail to celebrate the weekend. Diego Baud, the head mixologist for P41/Coctelarium, has previously won an award for creating the top 7 Negroni in Spain and this twist on the classic drink is easy to recreate at home. This bittersweet delight features honey, a touch of smoke and a vanilla aroma: 1 oz Bulldog Gin infused with lapsang souchong 1 oz Cinzano 1757 Rosso 1 oz Campari 2 bar spoons of wild flower honey Grated tonka bean on top Combine ingredients and stir. Grate tonka bean on top for a polished finish.
Sweni Iced Tea Sitting low on the Sweni River, Singita Sweni Lodge is a tranquil sanctuary built on stilts with decks of dark timber, giving it a grounded and earthy feel. One of Singita Sweni’s signature cocktail, the Sweni Iced Tea is a brandy-spiked cooler made with local rooibos tea, a refreshing herbal tea grown locally in South Africa. This delicious cocktail combines fall flavors and traditional ingredients for a cozy cocktail perfect for around the fire: 1 oz gin bitters 1 oz brandy 3 oz chilled rooibos tea Pour all ingredients into mixing glass with ice cubes and stir well. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with green apple and ginger. Serve straight or with extra ice.