The Happy Hour Guide

by Carmen Lopez

You're invited to a Virtual Happy Hour!

With the kids being home during this Pandemic, we could all use a break now and then. Take a sip, sit back, and catch up with some of your best friends through Livestream. We have put together some delicious and simple Vocktail -Virtual Cocktail- recipes for a fun night to unwind while practicing social distancing.

Step One:

Choose your platform. The best part of a virtual party is the guests. Picking a platform that works best for everyone is crucial. With the growing technology, there are plenty of options like Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, and Google Hangouts. Though they all are used for the same thing, each platform has its unique features, so make sure to do your research before going with one.

Step Two:

Now, this is the fun part! Choose your Quarantine Cocktail of choice.

Mango Rita

This Margarita concoction is one of my personal favorites. Super easy to make, and the mango adds the perfect touch. You will need:

Ice
A fresh mango- diced
Mango juice (I use Jumex- Mango Nectar)
Lime juice
Tequila of choice (I used Silver Tequila)
Jalapeno slices – OPTIONAL (if you want to add some spice)
Chili powder and salt for rim

To start, grab a shaker, add the mango slices and jalapenos (optional), add lime juice, and muddle together.

Add ice
Pour in ½- 2 oz. of tequila
Add 3- 4 oz. of mango juice
Add ½ of lime, juiced
Shake it all up
In a plate mix together chili powder and salt for rim
Dress rim on the glass, add some more ice and pour in your mixture.

If you don't want to add the muddled mango and jalapeno(optional) slices, make sure to strain when pouring. You can add diced mango to glass as well as sliced jalapeno slices if desired. If you're a mango lover, this is the perfect drink for you.

White Claw Sangria

By now I'm sure everyone has heard of White Claws. If not, they are flavored Seltzers and millennials drink of choice. It turns out you can make any drink with a White Claw in place of club soda. This Cocktail is excellent for a Virtual Brunch with the usual Brunch squad.

What you'll need:

One bottle of dry white wine (I chose Pinot Grigio)
Apple Cider
A Raspberry White Claw
Raspberries, to taste (you can select a variety of fruits)
Orange Liqueur (Triple Sec, Cointreau)

How to make it:

Combine apple cider, raspberries, Rasberry White Claw, orange liqueur, and a bottle of wine.
You can also add apple slices and a cinnamon stick to garnish.
You can cover it up and refrigerate for 4 hours up to two days to mix to let all the ingredients infuse together.
Serve chilled.

The next three cocktail recipes are courtesy of @JessieJamesDecker on Instagram. Watch her IGTV to see how easy these recipes are to make.

The Quarantini

To create the Quarantini, you will need:

Ice
Your favorite glass
The sparkling water of choice- (The original recipe used La Croix Berry flavored.)
Pedialyte of choice- (the original method used grape flavor.)
One sugar packet (or sugar substitute)
One lemon
Red wine of choice

Now that you have all the ingredients, lets put it together.

Fill glass with ice and red wine.
Add flavored sparkling water.
Top off with Pedialyte
Finish with sugar (or sugar substitute)
Lemon to taste
Mix all together and ta-da!

The Quaranita

To create this Margarita with a twist, you will need:

· Two oranges
· Lime juice
· Salt for the rim
· Tequila of choice (I used Silver tequila)
· Ice
· Two squirts of agave nectar

Now, lets put the mix together. For this Margarita recipe, you will need a shaker.

Fill shaker with ice
Squeeze one orange into shaker
Add four shots of tequila
Add five tablespoons of lime juice
Mix in the Agave (you can always add more to taste)
Shake it all up
With a slice of your second orange rub it around the rim and salt rim
Add a bit more ice to the glass
Pour in the mixture from the shaker and add orange slices to glass for garnish

Beware this drink packs a punch, but tasty. You can always substitute ingredients to your liking.

The Quarantea

What's better than a nice mason jar full of iced sweet Tea on a hot day? Not much, but this twisted tea cocktail is a close second. You will need:

Simple syrup (if Tea is unsweet)
Vodka -of choice
Rum- of choice
Lemon juice
Ice
Iced Tea- of choice- (black iced Tea was used for original recipe)
Lemon slices or mint leaves for garnish

Get your ingredients together, grab your mason jars, and let's get to mixing.

Fill a cup with ice
Add an ounce of Vodka
Add a splash of Rum
Add a splash of Simple Syrup (if Tea is unsweet)
Add a splash of lemon juice
Top it off with Iced Tea
Add your lemon slices and Enjoy!

This Quarantea might be not only your Virtual Cocktail favorite but also your drink of choice for the summer.

Step Three:

Get dressed up to set the party mood. Put on a pair of new clothes that you have bought online during the quarantine. A Virtual Cocktail Party is the perfect excuse to serve some looks online.

Step Four:

Enjoy yourself! You deserve this moment to yourself. Share some laughs and cheers your friends with your Vocktails. If your group is feelings some fun games, check out (Virtual Party Games Blog.) For some fun ideas.

What will be your first Virtual Celebration?

So At-Home and Virtual Parties can still be festive and engaging. It does not just have to be a Face-time call, you can make it as memorable as you want and it is important to celebrate those milestones and recognize they have been accomplished. You can plan for free at LYFETYMES or if you don’t have the time or non-technical, check out the LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace to find party services to help you plan, style, and more for your next event.