December is one of the busiest months of the year for me. Aside from last-minute deadlines at work, it seems like everyone I know wants to meet up on the weekends. Most of these are pretty laid back, but there’s always a couple of people who insist on throwing quick get-togethers. Although fun, these parties can get tiring.
Keep stress levels low by volunteering to mix drinks.
This may seem like a major hassle, but being in charge of the alcohol is pretty easy and rewarding. With just five ingredients or less, you can turn any boring party fun and lively.
Modern Filipina has four simple cocktail recipes you can churn out in batches. Pick your poison and mix it up before the party for a self-service bar.
Kabarangay
Photo by Johann Trasch on Unsplash
Sometimes the tastiest drinks are the simplest to make.
Kabarangay uses five ingredients you can find in any sari-sari store. It even uses a familiar childhood treat for a cool kick. Test out this holiday hooch on your friends and family and have them guess the secret ingredient.
What You’ll Need:
- 50mL of unflavored gin
- 30mL of Mountain Dew
- 30mL of any pale lager
- Snow Bear candies
- Calamansi juice
The Recipe:
- Crush at least three pieces of candy with the underside of the beer bottle.
- Mix in the crushed candies in the gin bottle and shake until dissolved.
- Pour the mint-infused gin in a pitcher along with the bottle of lager.
- Stir in the calamansi juice before serving with ice.
Meztiza / Mistisa
Photo by Nuff on Unsplash
If you want something a bit classier, try out the recipe for Meztiza/Mistisa. You’ll typically find this cocktail in the hands of people poolside during the summer. Make it for your holiday party and get beach vibes in December.
What You’ll Need:
- 100mL of any pale lager
- 100mL of cola
- A shot of rum
The Recipe:
- Pour in the beer and cola in a tall pitcher.
- Mix in the shot of rum and stir well. (Note: You can add more shots depending on how strong you want the drink to be.)
- Serve in glasses with ice.
Kagatan
Photo by Frank Mckenna on Unsplash
If you and your guests are the types to party the night away, you should definitely try out Kagatan — a local version of Irish coffee. This creamy cocktail is basically a cold latte with an alcoholic kick. Get energized every time you take a sip of this concoction.
What You’ll Need:
- Two bottles of your favorite convenience store coffee
- A dash of condensed milk
- Two shots of rum
The Recipe:
- Shake the bottled coffee well before pouring in a pitcher.
- Mix in a dash of condensed milk until it’s well-incorporated.
- Pour the rum before serving with ice.
Gin Pom
Photo by Aimee Mullin on Unsplash
No Filipino party is complete without the classic Gin Pom. Originating in the ‘90s when powdered juice became available in convenient stores, this cocktail has stood the test of time. Made with just three ingredients, this delicious drink packs a punch.
What You’ll Need:
- 750mL of water
- 250mL of unflavored gin
- 2 packs of powdered pomelo juice
The Recipe:
- Dissolve the two packs of powdered juice in the water.
- Pour in the bottle of unflavored gin and mix until well-combined.
- Serve in glasses with ice.
Try out any of these cocktail recipes on your family and friends this holiday season. They’re all easy enough to do last-minute. But make sure you’re sober enough to mix them so that they still taste smooth and pack a punch when you ring in the new year.
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