You may be looking for an excuse to put down the Clorox wipes or leave your virtual teaching duties behind (at least for a lunch break) to treat yourself to a delicious cocktail hand-crafted by YOU. Three Words: World Cocktail Day (May 13). And because of the Queen you are, you deserve the premium liqs—none of that bottom-shelf stuff!
In honor of the global celebration, BACARDÍ has launched six different cocktail kits with Cocktail Courier, a service that delivers perfectly portioned ingredients and detailed instructions directly to your doorstep (aka social distancing-approved!) Whether you're a rum lover, tequila enthusiast, gin drinker or scotch sipper – there's a drink for everybody.
Let's be honest, you don't actually need a holiday to mix one of these bad boys up, because any day can be World Cocktail Day in quarantine. But if you're catching a case of FOMO right now, check out the libations below to see what you can work with from your personal stash while you wait for your kit to arrive.
BACARDÍ Rum Banana Daiquiri
Courtesy of BACARDÍ
The smooth, subtle notes of almond and vanilla of BACARDI Superior pair exquisitely with the quintessential Caribbean flavor of ripe banana for a tropical daiquiri riff.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 parts BACARDÍ Superior Rum
- 0.25 part Banana
- 0.25 part Vanilla
- 0.75 part Lime
- Garnish: Dehydrated Lime Wheel
Method:
Shaken and served in a coupe glass.
Patrón Tequila Watermelon Basil Margarita
Courtesy of BACARDÍ
With notes of fresh agave and oak, Patrón Reposado is the perfect tequila for a bountiful fruit- and herb-filled margarita. Travel on island time with this balanced juxtaposition of sweet and savory. A unique take on the margarita, it will leave you feeling like you're on a Mexican vacation.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 parts Patrón Reposado Tequila
- 0.5 part Watermelon Puree
- 0.5 part Basil Simple Syrup
- 1 part Lime juice
- Garnish: Dehydrated Lime Wheel
Method:
Shaken and served in a rocks glass.
Grey Goose French Passion
Courtesy of BACARDÍ
Travel to the coast of Southern France and taste this tropical twist on traditional Provence. Exquisite French Grey Goose Vodka meets sunny passion fruit, zesty lime and warm cinnamon for a warm weather retreat for your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 parts Grey Goose Vodka
- 0.25 part Passionfruit Puree
- 0.25 part Cinnamon
- 0.50 part Lime
- Garnish: Dehydrated Flower
Method:
Shaken and served in a rocks glass.
Bombay English Garden Gimlet
Courtesy of BACARDÍ
Taste the 10 hand-selected botanicals of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin accompanied by fresh basil and floral lavender for a new take on the gimlet.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 parts Bombay Sapphire Gin
- 0.75 part Lemon Juice
- 0.5 part Basil Syrup (1:1 dilution sugar:water)
- 2 dashes Lavender Bitters
Method:
Shaken and served in a rocks glass.
Dewar’s Scotch Emporium Highball
Courtesy of BACARDÍ
A sly nod to John Dewar's humble beginnings in Perth, Scotland, this highball pairs the classic swirl of honey and Scottish heather of Dewars White Label with aromatic earl grey and bright lemon for a new take on a classic.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 part Dewar's Scotch White Label
- 0.25 part Lemon
- 0.25 part Earl Grey Syrup
- 3.5 parts Soda Water
- Garnish: Lemon Wedge
Method:
Shaken and served in a highball glass.
The Cazadores Huntsman
Courtesy of BACARDÍ
Originating in Puebla, Mexico, the rich smoke and slight spice of ancho chili pairs perfectly with warm vanilla and the tropical, citrus notes of Cazadores Reposado for the perfect spirit-forward sipper.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 parts Cazadores Tequila
- 0.25 part Ancho Chili Vanilla Agave
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
- Garnish: Orange Expression
Method:
Stirred and served in a rocks glass.
Click here to purchase a cocktail kit. Tune into Insecure star, Jay Ellis' Instagram@jayrellistoday for tips and tricks on how to make the drinks.
Featured image via Shutterstock
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
