INTO THE PANTRY, OUT WITH A COCKTAIL

COCKTAILS À LA ISOLATION
During this period when staying inside and social distancing have become the new norm, bars are momentarily taking a break as well. While customers are pining for a fun night out at their favourite establishments, some have taken to creating cocktails of their own right at home. Dubbed quarantinis, these drinks have gone far beyond the classic two-ingredient cocktail, and now consist of ingredients that can easily be found in pantries.

REIMAGINING THE REGULAR
As a visit to the supermarket is no longer a simple task, repurposing pantry ingredients can be an unconventional but creative way to flavour cocktails. While leftover drip coffee or cold-brewed coffee is great for adding bitter notes to cocktails, instant coffee crystals can also be repurposed to create a boozy version of the famed Dalgona coffee. If teas are a preferred option, tea-infused cocktails such as hot toddies and spiked ice tea can be easily mixed by incorporating brewed tea into recipes. To make your tea-infused treat visually appealing, try whipping up a fluffy foam topping with aquafaba, the starchy liquid in a can of chickpeas commonly used as a replacement for egg whites. Even pantry staples like cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks give a smoky warmth to cocktails too.

UNCOVER SWEET AND SALTY FLAVOURS
Your pantry is home to lots of complex and strong flavours to experiment with. Known for putting the “dirty” in a Dirty Martini, olive brine lends the drink its quintessential cloudy appearance. This salty ingredient provides a tangy aftertaste that punctuates drinks, in a fashion reminiscent to the tart chasers consumed after liquor shots. On the other end of the scale, regular jams ranging from marmalade to berry preserves are versatile alternatives to heighten a drink’s sweetness. In following the golden cocktail rule, jam-infused beverages are shaken to ensure uniform dispersion. The end result is a well-layered, creamier cocktail infused with floral notes and fragrances. Get creative with your pantry staples and try out these recipes for an extra homely touch.

PINK ME UP
Ingredients
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10 ml MONIN Almond syrup
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45 ml Bacardi Carta Blanca rum
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20 ml lemon juice
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3 fresh tomatoes
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1 teaspoon of olive brine
Garnish
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Olive
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Basil leaf
Preparation
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Muddle tomatoes in a shaker
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Add remaining ingredients then shake well with ice
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Strain into a glass and serve

MRS. WHISKY SOUR
Ingredients:
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115 ml MONIN Elderflower syrup
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45 ml whisky
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40 ml jasmine tea concentrate
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15 ml lemon juice
Garnish
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Lemon wedges
Preparation:
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Combine all ingredients into a shaker
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Add ice then shake well
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Pour the mixture into a glass and serve

DALGONA COFFEE COCKTAIL
Drink Ingredients:
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45 ml vodka
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75 ml chilled milk
Coffee Foam Ingredients:
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30 ml hot water
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10 ml MONIN Salted Caramel syrup
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3 teaspoons of instant coffee
Garnish
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Chocolate powder
Preparation:
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Combine all drink ingredients into a glass and add ice
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Combine all coffee foam ingredients in a bowl and whisk until medium peaks are formed
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Top foam onto drink and serve