

6 Premium Cocktails To Drink Your Way Around The Globe From Home
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
Jazmine A. Ortiz is a creative born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn and currently living in Staten Island, NY. She started in the entertainment industry in 2012 and now works as a Lifestyle Editor where she explores everything from mental health to vegan foodie trends. For more on what she's doing in the digital space follow her on Instagram at @liddle_bitt.
How Content Creators Hey Fran Hey And Shameless Maya Embraced The Pivot
This article is in partnership with Meta Elevate.
If you’ve been on the internet at all within the past decade, chances are the names Hey Fran Hey and Shameless Maya (aka Maya Washington) have come across your screen. These content creators have touched every platform on the web, spreading joy to help women everywhere live their best lives. From Fran’s healing natural remedies to Maya’s words of wisdom, both of these content creators have built a loyal following by sharing honest, useful, and vulnerable content. But in search of a life that lends to more creativity, freedom, and space, these digital mavens have moved from their bustling big cities (New York City and Los Angeles respectively) to more remote locations, taking their popular digital brands with them.
Content Creators Hey Fran Hey and Maya Washington Talk "Embracing The Pivot"www.youtube.com
In partnership with Meta Elevate — an online learning platform that provides Black, Hispanic, and Latinx-owned businesses access to 1:1 mentoring, digital skills training, and community — xoNecole teamed up with Franscheska Medina and Maya Washington on IG live recently for a candid conversation about how they’ve embraced the pivot by changing their surroundings to ultimately bring out the best in themselves and their work. Fran, a New York City native, moved from the Big Apple to Portland, Oregon a year ago. Feeling overstimulated by the hustle and bustle of city life, Fran headed to the Pacific Northwest in search of a more easeful life.
Her cross-country move is the backdrop for her new campaign with Meta Elevate— a perfectly-timed commercial that shows how you can level up from wherever you land with the support of free resources like Meta Elevate. Similarly, Maya packed up her life in Los Angeles and moved to Sweden, where she now resides with her husband and adorable daughter. Maya’s life is much more rural and farm-like than it had been in California, but she is thriving in this peaceful new setting while finding her groove as a new mom.
While Maya is steadily building and growing her digital brand as a self-proclaimed “mom coming out of early retirement,” Fran is redefining her own professional grind. “It’s been a year since I moved from New York City to Portland, Oregon,” says Fran. “I think the season I’m in is figuring out how to stay successful while also slowing down.” A slower-paced life has unlocked so many creative possibilities and opportunities for these ladies, and our conversation with them is a well-needed reminder that your success is not tied to your location…especially with the internet at your fingertips. Tapping into a community like Meta Elevate can help Black, Hispanic, and Latinx entrepreneurs and content creators stay connected to like minds and educated on new digital skills and tools that can help scale their businesses.
During a beautiful moment in the conversation, Fran gives Maya her flowers for being an innovator in the digital space. Back when “influencing” was in its infancy and creators were just trying to find their way, Fran says Maya was way ahead of her time. “I give Maya credit for being one of the pioneers in the digital space,” Fran said. “Maya is a one-person machine, and I always tell her she really changed the game on what ads, campaigns, and videos, in general, should look like.”
When asked what advice she’d give content creators, Maya says the key is having faith even when you don’t see the results just yet. “It’s so easy to look at what is, despite you pouring your heart into this thing that may not be giving you the returns that you thought,” she says. “Still operate from a place of love and authenticity. Have faith and do the work. A lot of people are positive thinkers, but that’s the thinking part. You also have to put your faith into work and do the work.”
Fran ultimately encourages content creators and budding entrepreneurs to take full advantage of Meta Elevate’s vast offerings to educate themselves on how to build and grow their businesses online. “It took me ten years to get to the point where I’m making ads at this level,” she says. “I didn’t have those resources in 2010. I love the partnership with Meta Elevate because they’re providing these resources for free. I just think of the people that wouldn’t be able to afford that education and information otherwise. So to amplify a company like this just feels right.”
Watch the full conversation with the link above, and join the Meta Elevate community to connect with fellow businesses and creatives that are #OnTheRiseTogether.
Featured image courtesy of Shameless Maya and Hey Fran Hey
Exclusive: 'Praise This' Stars Chloe Bailey And Anjelika Washington Talk Acceptance And Their Favorite Scenes
There's nothing like a feel-good movie that you can watch with friends and family, and that's exactly what Praise This is. The film, executive produced by Will Packer and directed by Tina Gordon, stars Chloe Bailey, Anjelika Washington, Quavo, and many more, and it tells a story about how one's struggle with their faith can ultimately lead them to find themselves and appreciate the people around them.
In the Peacock original film, Chloe's character Sam has aspirations of becoming a singer, but her mom's death sends her down the wrong path, which puts a strain on her relationship with her dad. In an effort to help her, her dad sends her to live with her aunt and uncle in Atlanta, where she is introduced to the praise team thanks to her cousin Jess, played by Anjelika.
While this may sound like a fit, Sam is very resistant and continues doing things her way, further complicating her relationships with others. However, her undeniable talent breaks through, and she learns a valuable lesson in the end. Praise This isn't your typical church movie. While the story focuses on faith, the church shade throughout the movie is hilarious, and if you grew up in the church, relatable, and the fire mashups of secular and gospel songs will surely keep you entertained. I spoke with Chloe and Anjelika about the film, their characters' dynamic as "cousin-sisters," and the hijinks that happen throughout the film.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 03: Quavo, Tristan Wilds, Janora McDuffie, Jekalyn Carr, Anjelika Washington, Chloe Bailey, Tina Gordon, William Packer, Druski and Big Tank attend the "Praise This" World Premiere at Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University on April 03, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo by Terence Rushin/Getty Images
"I think my favorite scene filming with her would have to be our handshake because we made that up early on, and when Tina was like, 'okay, this is the scene where you pull up to Ty's house, you know, with the little handshake you guys do, you can do it right here,'" Chloe says. "We were like, 'oh.'""
For me, I really loved the scene in the house where I'm showing her my world and everything, and I get to sing for her," says Anjelika. "That was also my scariest day on set was because I was like singing for Chloe Bailey, like the singer. So, anyways, it was like a crazy moment, but I got through it. Chloe sat there [and] was like, 'this is great, this is funny.' She was laughing genuinely the whole time, which made me feel good 'cause then I was like, I'm doing a good job."
Praise This is available on Peacock.
See more from the interview below:
Stars Chloe Bailey and Anjelika Washington Reflect On Their Bond and Secret Handshake
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 Nykieria Chaney/WireImage