At-Home Cocktails
Kits and Recipes to Enjoy from the Comfort of Home
Words by Sam Lauron Photo by HipStirs
Sipping on a cool, carefully crafted cocktail from the edge of the back patio has never been easier. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make your own cocktail or “mocktail” at home while also supporting local businesses.
El Arroyo Margarita Kit
Though they’re most known for their quirky marquee sign that displays cheeky jokes, El Arroyo is also beloved for their Tex-Mex and margaritas. The margaritas are now available for pickup or delivery and are the perfect addition to a summer meal on the backyard patio. The kit includes a bottle of Famous El Arroyo Fresh Margarita Mix, a bottle of tequila, Richard’s Sparkling Rainwater, and chips and salsa.
1624 W. 5th St. | elarroyo.com
HipStirs
Be your own bartender with HipStirs. The local cocktail company offers a variety of creative cocktail kits that include a bottle of liquor and all of the necessary (and fresh) ingredients. In addition to cocktail kits, HipStirs offers scratch made syrups in flavors like Strawberry Basil, Lavender Haze, Elderflower Honey, Blackberry Mint, and Fresno Chile. The kits are currently available for pick-up or delivery.
hipstirs.com
The Cocktail Box
Wander/Gather, a local event company focused on curating memorable experiences, now offers a variety of curated boxes to make memories at home, one of which includes The Cocktail Box. The cocktail kit includes one bottle of spirits from local companies like Goodnight Loving Vodka, LALO Tequila, and Desert Door Texas Sotol, as well as garnishes, activity cards, and a specially-curated playlist from DJ Cassandra. The box is designed for two people, making it ideal for a stay-at-home date night.
wander-gather.com
Grizz Mizz Mix
Grizzelda’s famous signature margarita, Grizz Mizz, is just one of the many offerings from the Jacoby Restaurant Group that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home. Order a quart of the bright pink libation and add your own tequila, or order a kit that comes with margarita mix and a bottle of Milagro or Casamigos tequila.
105 Tillery St. | grizztogo.com
Austin Cocktails
Mixing up a drink at home is effortless with Austin Cocktails. The craft cocktails are bottled and ready to do, which means no extra ingredients are needed in order to create a refreshing cocktail at the end of the day. Simply pour the naturally-flavored concoction over ice and enjoy. Austin Cocktails offers a variety of drink options including Cucumber Vodka Mojito, Bergamot Orange Margarita, and a Gin Mule.
austincocktails.com
At-Home Cocktail Recipes
Go Local:
Eastciders’ seasonal Watermelon Cider is back for a limited time. Enjoy this refreshing summer sip on its own or by using it as a base for a cocktail like The Sandia.
Ingredients:
1 oz. Watermelon Cider
1.5 oz. Rum
0.5 oz. of watermelon puree
0.5 oz. of lime juice
2 dashes of orange bitters
2 mint sprigs
Preparation:
Combine rum, watermelon puree, lime juice, and orange bitters in shaker glass. Strain over ice in lowball glass, then top with Eastciders Watermelon Cider. Complete the cocktail with a garnish of mint springs.
Feeling fancy?
Whip up a twist on a classic with this Old Fashioned recipe using Jose Cuervo’s newest tequila Añejo, a tequila with a sweet and smokey Irish whiskey finish.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. smoked flaky sea salt
2 tbsp. black Hawaiian sea salt
1 tsp. Chipotle chili powder
1 sugar cube
4 dashes of tobacco bitters
2 oz. Cuervo Tradicional Añejo
1 orange peel
Preparation:
Mix together sea salts and chili powder, and pour onto a small plate. Rub the lemon around the rim of the glass. Dip the rim of the glass into the salt-chili mixture. Place the sugar cube in the glass and top with bitters. Muddle until a smooth paste forms. Add one large ice cube. Pour Cuervo Tradicional Añejo over the ice, and stir. Finish off by squeezing the orange peel over the glass to release the oils.
