Cocktails in milk bottles for virtual fun

There has been so much doom and gloom in the world recently, with endless statistics that make for less-than-cheery reading and an extended lockdown that has forced us all to stay at home. Even now that lockdown restrictions are easing, many people have little appetite for going out to bars and restaurants just yet - the risks are still there, and the threat of local ‘clusters’ of Coronavirus infections show that it very definitely hasn’t gone away.

Faced with this outlook, people are getting more and more creative when it comes to having virtual fun. Some have switched up their weekly Zoom or Skype catch-ups with friends and family turning them into video-based parties, each with a different weekly theme. It might be a Cops and Robbers fancy dress Zoom party one week, and a New World wine tasting party the next - the idea is simply to give the video-call a theme to make it more interesting and engaging, and to have a bit of fun during these dark times despite not being together in person. In today’s blog post, we thought we’d take a look at some fancy cocktails that could be made for an elegant Roaring Twenties party, a Tropical Beach themed party or a swish 50s Manhattan party. Whatever theme you choose, cocktails add a splash of colour and a touch of sophistication; they also never fail to provide a real talking point for your Zoom or Skype party!

Whilst we all have our favourite cocktails and we’re all familiar with the regular style of cocktail glasses, the cocktail scene has been positively shaken and stirred in recent years with so many innovative trends livening up cocktail parties and nights out. One such trend in recent years is the novelty of serving cocktails in glass bottles - more specifically, in milk bottles. Whether it’s a kind of throwback to old-school days when kids were given a daily drink of milk in miniature milk bottles, or simply a way of breathing new life into the cocktail scene, serving exciting drinks in milk bottles has really caused a stir. Let’s take a look at some fresh ideas for cocktails, and mocktails, that work really well in glass bottles.

Cocktails in milk bottles - some of the best

One of our favourite cocktail recipes for serving in milk bottles involves coconut milk, vodka and vanilla. It’s a simple yet sophisticated drink, and it looks just like you’re drinking regular milk! Mix 100ml of vodka with 150ml of coconut milk, then stir in a little grated nutmeg and a spoonful of creme de cacao, simply pour into small bottles and serve with a straw and a chocolate tube wafer.

There are plenty of other great cocktail ideas that look like ordinary milk, and these will work just as well when served in our little glass milk bottles. Try a peppermint eggnog cocktail, for example. Or why not try a strawberry milkshake cocktail - make a regular strawberry milkshake and add vodka to it, along with a little sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon. Hey presto, you have a fabulous summer cocktail that is ever so moreish!

Mocktails work brilliantly in milk bottles too

If you’re interested in creating interesting mocktails (alcohol-free cocktails), glass milk bottles can still be put to creative use. Miniature milk bottles are brilliant for brightly-coloured mocktails, as they show off the contents of the drink perfectly. Try a pineapple, lime and apricot combination, topped with a slice of lime, for a sensational summer punch that looks every bit as refreshing as it tastes. Another fabulous mocktail that we love involves pink grapefruit juice, caster sugar and soda water. Mix sugar and cold water together and heat in a pan to dissolve the sugar, then add the grapefruit juice and allow to cool. Once cool, chill the drink in the fridge until well and truly cold, and then pour into small milk bottles, add a slice of pink grapefruit and top up with soda water. Serve with a reusable straw.

Hopefully, we’ve now offered you some fresh, fun ideas for creating both cocktails and mocktails, as well as some new ideas on how to serve them in glass bottles. Next time you have a Saturday night party with friends on Zoom, show them your fancy cocktails in milk bottles, and get everyone talking!

Are you finding new ways to connect with friends and family during lockdown? Are your Zoom catch-ups now a permanent fixture notwithstanding the fact you can now meet in person? We’d love to hear about how you’ve been coping with the lockdown. Have you been experimenting with new recipes (food-based or drinks-based)? Have you taken up baking, or are you stockpiling huge quantities of jams, jellies, pickles and preserves? Or are you simply enjoying a cocktail treat now and then, to lift the spirits and see you through this most unusual of summers? Share your stories with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - we’d love to hear from you!