Happy Hour At Home: Sparkling Berry Cocktail

Just because we’re spending a lot more time at home, doesn’t mean we need to live without our favorite things! Now more than ever, carving out quality time to enjoy the things that make you smile is so important. So what better moment to plan a little quality time at home with fresh and colorful cocktails?

We invited our favorite mixologist, Carolyn from The Social Sipper, to help us craft the perfect cocktail guaranteed to boost your mood, with items you probably have at home! Over at @thesocialsipper she is crafting beautiful and tasty cocktails that have us checking our watch all the time. By the way, is it 5 o’clock yet?

We asked you guys on Instagram what kind of drink you were in the mood for and what alcohol you prefer, and overwhelmingly, you guys are BIG fans of sweet and fruity drinks made with vodka! So let’s have Carolyn work her magic and show us that the perfect easy cocktail recipe does exist, and we have the recipe and how-to video to get you sipping in no time!

Hi! I’m Carolyn from The Social Sipper. My Sparkling Berry Cocktail is perfect for date night at home or video chat happy hour with the girls. So grab a pretty date-night dress and get ready to enjoy this tasty cocktail!

Berries, fresh citrus and bubbly combine to create a refreshing and fruity cocktail that tastes like springtime in a glass. And there are some easy swaps if you happen to be out of these exact ingredients. You can definitely make an IG-worthy and tasty cocktail with ingredients you probably already have sitting around at home!

As far as preparation for this drink, it couldn’t get any simpler! Start by muddling lemon wedges, whatever berries you have on hand and your sweetener of choice in a cocktail shaker. Then add vodka (or your favorite liquor) and some ice and shake it up! Strain into two glasses and top with some bubbly or club soda. If you want to get fancy, garnish with a lemon round and fresh or frozen berries.

Et voila! We have a super simple cocktail that takes just five minutes to make, but tastes like you got it at the fanciest of cocktail bars. Conveniently, this recipe makes enough for two drinks, so grab your roommate or significant other and enjoy! I have also included a champagne-only punch version if you want something a little less strong but with the same fruity and fresh taste!

Whether your quality time looks like treating yourself to a pretty cocktail in your comfiest loungewear or getting all dressed up to wow your significant other, I hope you take some time to do something that makes you smile!

Sparkling Berry Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients

1/4 cup berries (fresh or frozen and thawed), plus more for garnish

Half a lemon, cut into wedges

2 tsp sugar

3 ounces vodka

Prosecco (or club soda)

Lemon round, for garnish

Directions

Step 1: Add lemon wedges, berries and sugar to a cocktail shaker and muddle .

Step 2: Add vodka and ice to the shaker and shake well.

Step 3: Strain into 2 glasses filled with ice. Top with prosecco. Garnish with a lemon round and berries.

 

Sparkling Berry Punch 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients

1/4 cup berries (fresh or frozen and thawed), plus more for garnish

Half a lemon, cut into wedges

2 tsp sugar

3 ounces fruit juice (pineapple, orange or mango)

1 cup sparkling wine (Champagne, Prosecco or Sparkling Rosé)

Lemon round, for garnish

Directions

Step 1: Add lemon wedges, berries and sugar to a cocktail shaker and muddle .

Step 2: Add fruit juice and ice to the shaker and shake well.

Step 3: Strain into 2 glasses filled with ice. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon round and berries.

 

Did you try making this Sparkling Berry Cocktail recipe at home? Tell us what you think in the comments!