The current state of the world has undoubtedly increased our coffee consumption. It’s hard to get motivated while sheltering in place, but a big mug of java certainly helps. However, spring is here and temperatures are rising, so it’s time to move on to iced coffee drinks for the warmer months. With the popularity of quarantine happy hour at home, boozy iced coffee is the next logical progression, right?

Take a look at a few of our favorite iced coffee cocktails for the season and try a few at home. Some of these recipes may even amaze those strange folks who claim they don’t like coffee.

1. The Wanderlust Kitchen’s Boozy Iced Coffee

This one is pretty basic and very easily adaptable to any palate. To create this refreshing cocktail with a kick, you simply start with a cup of strong chilled coffee, add a shot of your favorite booze, and serve over ice. If you like cream in your coffee, add enough to suit your fancy.

2. Patrick Smith’s Espresso Martini

To create this martini, you will have to make a little demerara syrup. Simply combine equal parts hot water and raw sugar, stir until dissolved, and then chill. Mix a half shot of the syrup with a shot of vodka, half a shot of vanilla liqueur, ¾ shot of espresso, and ¾ shot of coffee liqueur. Shake the ingredients over ice and serve straight up in a martini glass. Top the drink off with a garnish of three coffee beans for health, happiness, and prosperity.

3. The Spruce Eat’s Vanilla Latte Cocktail

If you are a fan of fancy coffee drinks in general, this one may be for you. A twist on a traditional latte, this recipe is served cold and boozy – perfect for a spring afternoon. Start with a glass of ice and two shots of cream liqueur. Build the next layer with a shot of vanilla vodka, then top off with two shots of chilled coffee. Give it a stir and enjoy!

4. Dorda Cafe Cocktail

If decadence is your thing, this cocktail may find a forever home with you. Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur is the base for this delicious beast. Start with an ounce and a half of that, toss it in a shaker with an ounce of espresso and a half ounce of amaretto, and ice. Shake until well chilled and pour over a glass of ice. For the final touch, top the drink off with steamed milk foam or whipped cream. This cocktail is every bit as rich and wonderful as it sounds.

5. The Cookie Rookie’s Tiramisu Martini

The concept for this cocktail comes from one of the most popular desserts ever. Its smooth, rich taste is nearly as rich as the last one, but certainly with its own unique properties. To construct this drink, mix equal parts Kahlua, Rum Chata, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, and heavy cream. Shake the ingredients on ice and pour into a martini glass. This tasty treat wouldn’t be complete without a garnish of whipped cream, chocolate shavings, ground coffee or cocoa, and lady fingers.

Payless Liquors is the only name you need to know when you are stocking up on ingredients for your coffee cocktails or just restocking your adult beverage inventory. We have everything you need. Please use our online order form to make your selections and schedule a social distancing pickup time.

The spring season is finally here. With it comes warm sunny afternoons outside with a nice sweet cocktail. The unusual days we’re living in have made things a little different than past years, as most bars and restaurants around the country are not open for sit-down service. Never fear, spring happy hour will just have to move to your backyard patio!

Perhaps you have tried some of the cocktails from our previous blog on drinks you can make for quarantine happy hour. If so, you know how fun and rewarding making your own adult beverages can be. Give these four new cocktails a try, as you enjoy the afternoon sun on the veranda.

1. Garibaldi

This classic cocktail is named in honor of Guiseppe Garibaldi, a 19th century Italian general, who contributed to the unification and creation of the Kingdom of Italy. The ingredients are simple and elegant: 1.5 parts Campari liqueur to 4 parts orange juice, served over ice. This one is easy to make, easy on the eyes, and easy to drink. The vibrant red is symbolic of Garibaldi’s freedom fighters, dressed in red, and the orange represents Sicily. This cocktail is one you can wow your friends with, while giving them a bit of a history lesson as well.

2. Ginger Beer Margarita

If you love the subtle bite of ginger beer, but you’re growing tired of the same old Moscow mule every time you have a cocktail, this drink is for you. There is nothing like an icy cold margarita on a spring or summer afternoon, and the ginger flavor is a perfect complement to the lime juice, salt, simple syrup , and tequila. This may quickly become your signature drink.

3. Grapefruit Martini

The spunky pink of a ruby red grapefruit martini practically screams spring. This martini is quick and easy to whip up. It satisfies the taste buds without overwhelming the senses. It is sweet, but not overdone, and tastes like a drink you would get at a 5-star restaurant. Simply combine 2 parts ruby red grapefruit juice with 1 part vodka, 1 part triple sec, and a tablespoon of sugar over ice in your shaker. Then, give it a hefty shake and pour it into your martini glass. You won’t regret it.

4. Fig and Bourbon Fizz

If you love the uniquely sweet flavor of ripe figs, try adding the zing of fresh mint. This simple addition means you’ve got a spectacular cocktail unlike anything else you’ve tried. Some would say it’s a twist on a traditional mint julep, but the unique flavor combination here really sets it apart. Place one fig, a small handful of mint leaves, and a few raw sugar cubes into your shaker and muddle them together. Add a shot of bourbon and shake until well chilled. Pour the mixture onto a glass filled with ice cubes, top off with a hefty splash of ginger ale, and enjoy.

No matter what your tastes are, Payless Liquors has you covered this spring. You can get the ingredients for these drink recipes, along with a vast selection of your other favorite wine, beer, and spirits while social distancing by using our online order form. Place your order today and get to mixing

The self isolation of COVID-19 stay-at-home guidelines has added a great deal of stress and anxiety to our daily routine. Many Americans are out of work due to business closures, restricted hours, and children being home from school. When you add financial strain to the cabin fever everyone is experiencing, it is easy to understand why many of us need a drink to relax and unwind once in a while.

Getting Creative

One of the positive effects of the shelter in place orders is that people are learning to make the most of what they have. Grocery store shelves are missing items we usually buy, and we are learning to make new recipes with the ingredients we have on hand. Quarantine cocktails are trending, so what better way to make use of some of those things in the liquor cabinet that need a little attention. You may need to pick up a few additional items when you venture out, but these quarantine cocktails will ease your mind and stay in your bartending repertoire for years to come!

Quaran-tea

This soothing drink is perfect for warming up on a cool evening or even a breakfast treat if you aren’t a bloody mary fan. The best part is, you most likely already have all of the ingredients right at home. Cinnamon, black or chai tea, honey, and lemon are all you need to create a base for this delicious cocktail. Add a bit of rum or whiskey, and enjoy a tasty treat.

Morini Classico Negroni

If you enjoy taking your time sipping a cocktail and savoring its complexity, a classic negroni is sure to please. This drink has made a bit of a comeback in recent years but is still not something that you see on a drink menu every day. Gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth are some of the bottles that are likely gathering dust in your liquor cabinet, so get them out and mix one up. If you love it, consider keeping a larger batch on hand. It doesn’t go bad, so save yourself the trouble of mixing a new drink every time.

Daiquiri

There’s nothing like the refreshing zing of a daiquiri, and we’re not talking about the frozen strawberry chain restaurant concoctions (although they are refreshing, too!) This classic cocktail uses the basic ingredients of white rum, simple syrup, and lime juice to build a perfect beverage to enjoy on your deck on a spring quarantine afternoon. They go down easy, so be sure to pace yourself and avoid that morning headache.

These are strange times we’re living in, but you don’t have to sit at home bored. It’s ok to treat yourself to an occasional quarantine cocktail and let off a little steam. Consider reaching out to a

few friends you haven’t seen in awhile and organizing a Zoom happy hour to reconnect and catch up on each others’ lives. If you’re missing any ingredients, check out the Payless Liquors pickup order form and get your spirits the easy way while practicing social distancing.

The Bloody Mary is one of the most unique cocktails in history, and not just because it uses some very unconventional ingredients that you’re unlikely to find in most other cocktails. It’s because if you were to ask 10 different bartenders to make you a Bloody Mary, you would probably have 10 very different cocktails.

History of the Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary originally appeared at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France, concocted by bartender Fernand Petiot. A patron who sampled the drink suggested the name “Bloody Mary,” named after a girl he knew named Mary from the Bucket of Blood Club in Chicago. The original mix was equal parts vodka and tomato juice. After moving to the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City, Petiot adapted the recipe and gave it a kick: He added black pepper, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of Tabasco hot pepper sauce to create the signature cocktail known and loved today.

How to Make a Bloody Mary of Your Own

While Petiot’s original Bloody Mary recipe became the standard and the basis for the wildly popular Tabasco Bloody Mary Mix from the McIlhenny Company in 1976, you can find countless different recipes at bars across the nation today. You can also mix your own Bloody Mary at home, adding a unique spin to make your own special version of this timeless classic.

Bloody Mary is typically enjoyed as a breakfast cocktail. It’s great for relieving a hangover and pairs perfectly with a breakfast of bacon and eggs, so salty, spicy, and savory additions are great choices when it comes to perfecting your Bloody Mary recipe. If you want to make your own Bloody Mary mix, it’s a good idea to combine everything but the alcohol the night before you plan on drinking your Bloody Mary. This gives the spices and flavors time to blend. Aside from the standard black and cayenne pepper, you can experiment with other spices like lemon pepper, celery salt, and chile powder for a spicier Bloody Mary.

Choosing Your Alcohol

Vodka is the standard for a Bloody Mary, but you can find lots of different vodkas that create different flavors in your drink. Absolute Peppar is a fantastic option that contributes beautifully to the spiciness of the Bloody Mary. You can also make a great Bloody Mary with mezcal, tequila, or rye whiskey.

Putting It All Together

Presentation is a big part of the appeal of the Bloody Mary. The traditional garnish is a stalk of celery with the leaves intact on one end, but you can take this much further depending on your mix and your preferences. Pickled jalapeno peppers, olives, and lemon slices are great choices for garnishes. For something a bit saltier and savorier, add a whole strip of crisply cooked bacon!

The Bloody Mary can be a great way to kick off your first day on vacation or the perfect remedy for a weekend hangover. It may take some experimentation, but eventually you can make a Bloody Mary that’s perfectly suited to your tastes with a bit of patience. Payless Liquors has all the top-shelf liquors you’ll need to make the perfect Bloody Mary, so contact us today to see if we have what you need in stock.

Whether you’re planning a big family celebration for Easter or simply have entertaining plans this April, a few spring cocktails are great additions to your recipe collection and will delight and refresh your guests. Try these for yourself and see which ones would complement your spring party menus the best.

1. Iced Sparkling Honey Lime Red Tea

Cool tea is one of the best spring drinks, and you can add a delightful kick to your favorite red tea with this light and crisp recipe. Start by brewing a few bags of your favorite red tea, enough to make a full pitcher. Brew the tea according to the package directions and then add honey to taste. Let the mixture cool, then add lime juice to the pitcher. Pour the mixture into drinking glasses over ice and top with club soda, garnish with lime slices, and serve.

2. The Classic Champagne Cocktail

A signature celebratory cocktail that’s great for springtime, the Classic Champagne Cocktail is a great way to add a bit of fun and class to your next April gathering. You’ll need a sugar cube for every champagne glass, your favorite bitters, and of course, champagne. Start by soaking each sugar cube in bitters. The best way to do this is by opening the bottle of bitters, placing a sugar cube over the open top, and then holding the cube with your thumb as you tilt the bottle upside-down, soaking the cube in bitters in just a second or two. Place each soaked cube in a champagne glass and then pour your champagne. Add a twist of lemon peel as a garnish and serve.

3. Spiked Strawberry Lemonade

Few drinks are as reminiscent of the springtime as homemade strawberry lemonade. If you’d like to try a more grown-up version of this classic spring drink, start by adding your favorite vodka, lemonade, and sliced strawberries to a metal shaker. Shake well, then strain into drinking glasses over ice. A lemon wedge and a sprig of mint make the perfect garnish for this light and fruity cocktail.

4. Moscow Mule Punch

Looking for a big batch cocktail to serve at your next Easter or spring party? Start with a large punch bowl and combine ginger beer and your favorite top-shelf vodka over ice. Mix in freshly squeezed lime juice, mint leaves, and limes cut into thin slices. Serve with a ladle into copper mules and garnish with more lime slices.

5. Creamsicle Punch

Orange Creamsicles are some of the most beloved spring treats, and now you can capture that amazing flavor in a cocktail for your next April party! Start by combining pulp-free orange juice, ginger ale, vodka, and prosecco in a large punch bowl. Very carefully add small scoops of vanilla ice cream and thin orange slices. Ladle into drinking glasses to serve.

These are just a few examples of fantastic cocktails that are perfect for Easter parties or spring gatherings of any kind. Payless Liquors has all the top-shelf alcohol you need to make these amazing drinks for your next party, so contact us today to find out what we have in stock.

The crockpot is a staple appliance in most American kitchens, but did you know you can use yours to make much more than slow-cooked meals? Your crockpot can help you make some of the most unique and delicious hot cocktails. Check out the following recipes and visit Payless Liquors to purchase all the ingredients you’ll need to enjoy them in your own kitchen.

Temple Toddy

This unique spin on the classic Hot Toddy is sure to please, especially if you’re suffering from a cold or sore throat. Peel and chop one lemon, one mango, one Granny Smith apple, and a two-inch piece of ginger and add everything to your crockpot with 32 ounces of water. Cook for one hour and then muddle all of the solids. Strain the mixture with a fine strainer for about six ounces of your Temple Toddy mixer. Combine two ounces of Jameson Irish Whiskey with a half ounce of honey in a hot toddy mug and then fill it up with your strained fruit mixture. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cinnamon stick.

Spiked Crockpot Apple Cider

Hot cider is a classic winter drink, and you can make an adult version easily in your crockpot with a few additions. Start with six to eight cups of your favorite apple cider, half a cup of caramel ice cream topping, and two cinnamon sticks combined in your crockpot. Heat on high for at least two hours. At this point, you can serve as-is or add your favorite vodka, bourbon, or whiskey for a spiked cocktail. Pour one ounce of your liquor of choice into a mug, then top with the spiced cider. Whipped cream, caramel sauce, and miniature shortbread cookie make for a delightful topping.

Cranberry-Orange Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a winter favorite all over the world. You’ll need one 750ml bottle of your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon or red Zinfandel, two cups of orange juice, one third of a cup of sugar, and one cup of fresh or frozen cranberries poured into your slow cooker. Wash a whole orange thoroughly and then use fresh whole cloves to stud the surface of the orange; just use the prickly end of each clove to poke directly into the peel. Add the orange to the slow cooker and warm the mixture on low for two to three hours, or until the cranberries are tender, just make sure not to let the mixture boil.

Fish out the orange and cinnamon sticks and then very carefully strain the wine through a heatproof fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl. Next, use a wooden spoon to carefully press the cranberry juices through the sieve into the bowl. Once you’ve drained all the juice out of the cranberries, return the wine mixture to your slow cooker and add half a cup of brandy and more sugar to taste. Set the slow cooker to the warming setting and then serve by ladling into mugs and garnishing with cinnamon sticks and orange slices. You can also skewer some cranberries on cocktail sticks for extra flair.

The possibilities are endless with a good slow cooker when it comes to warmed cocktails. Try a few other recipes for yourself and get creative. Remember that you can come to Payless Liquors for all of the ingredients you need for perfect warmed cocktails.

January might be the coldest month of the year in most of the country, but it’s a great time to try some fantastic wintry cocktails that can warm the spirit and liven your January gatherings. Payless Liquors offers a fantastic selection of spirits, mixers, and bar equipment that you can use to make the following must-try January cocktails.

Winter Mojito

The mojito is often considered a summer drink, with a crisp and refreshing bite that’s perfect for beating the heat. However, the winter mojito can provide the same kind of perk-up during the winter weather with a few modifications. Two ounces of house-spiced rum, three-quarters of an ounce of lime juice, and a half ounce of Demerara syrup form the base of this multilayered drink in a shaker cup with ice. After blending, strain the drink into a glass with a mint sprig and ice.

To add your own house-spiced rum, simply add one whole cinnamon stick, 5 ground cloves, and one star anise pod to a bottle of your favorite spiced rum and allow it to steep for at least 12 hours before straining out the solids.

Fennel Countdown

If you’re in the mood for a drink with warmth and complexity, this is it. The Fennel Countdown is one and a quarter ounces of The Real McCoy 12-year-old rum, one ounce of Père-Magloire V.S.O.P. calvados, three-quarters of an ounce of 291 Distillery The DECC citrus clove liqueur, a half ounce of homemade fennel syrup, three-quarters of an ounce of apricot puree, one fifth of an ounce of fresh lemon juice, and two dashes of Strongwater Wildfire bitters. Blend everything in a shaker cup with ice and then strain over a glass with ice. Garnish with a clove-studded lemon square.

To make your own fennel syrup at home, toast about four ounces of fennel seeds and then add them to a pot with eight ounces of sugar and eight ounces water, bring the mixture to a boil before simmering 15 minutes and then straining.

Lazy Sunday

Have you made a New Year’s Resolution to live healthier in 2020? You’ll be happy to learn the Lazy Sunday cocktail has a bit of a health bonus with the inclusion of turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory. Mix yourself a Lazy Sunday by combining one and a half ounces of your favorite tequila with an equal measure of fresh grapefruit juice, one ounce of cinnamon syrup, and a quarter ounce of turmeric tea in a shaker cup with ice. Strain the mixture into a highball glass with ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a slice of grapefruit peel.

You can make turmeric tea easily at home by combining one teaspoon of ground turmeric powder and two cups of water, bringing the mixture to a boil, and then simmer for ten minutes. Once done simmering, strain the mixture and use it for your Lazy Sunday cocktail!

These are just a few of the fantastic winter cocktails you can try this January. No matter what your plans for the New Year might be, Payless Liquors has all the essentials to make them more memorable. Visit us online to check out our selection and arrange a pickup of your must-have cocktail ingredients.

It is a great time to curl up in front of the fire and with delicious fall cocktails. Whether you’re looking for a libation for a celebration or simply gathering over a board game with close friends, these autumnal recipes are sure to impress. Gather, mix, shake, stir, and enjoy! If you’re looking for something new to celebrate the season, try one of these recipes.

Autumn Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is one of America’s oldest cocktails, and this fall themed spin is sure to give it an impressive twist while retaining its old-world charm and character. Baked apple syrup, made from fresh apples baked with brown sugar, replaces the simple syrup in this recipe for a warm, caramelly hint of sweetness. Be sure to use a good rye whisky such as Bulleit to create a flavor profile that is spicy, dry, and perfectly balanced. Sip with a large ice cube and garnish with apple slices or a cinnamon stick if desired.

Pumpkin Pie Mimosa

If you’re looking for a crowd pleaser to bring to the next tailgate, this one is your ticket. Orange juice takes a back seat to homemade pumpkin spice juice in this autumnal cocktail. Simply mix pumpkin puree with water, pumpkin spice, and sugar to create the homemade base for this cocktail (be sure to strain well – we recommend a cheesecloth). Add juice to a glass of dry champagne, and don’t forget the rimming sugar! It also pairs well with Thanksgiving leftovers and Cyber Monday shopping.

Cranberry Orange Margarita

The holiday season is nearly upon us, and this seasonal spin on a summer favorite will put you on everyone’s nice list. A base of silver tequila, perfect for mixing, mixes with tart cranberry juice, sweet orange juice, and orange liqueur to create a cocktail that is zesty and fresh without becoming overbearing. Rosemary sprigs for garnish give it a seasonal touch. When choosing cranberry juice, opt for a fresh version, rather than a shelf stable option from concentrate whenever possible. This will naturally impart a more tart flavor.

Ginger Pear Bourbon Cocktail

You would be hard pressed to find a seasonal flavor pairing more satisfying than ginger and pear. The natural spicy, citrusy flavor profile of the ginger pairs perfectly with the sweetness of seasonal pears. Homemade ginger honey simple syrup combines with pear nectar, ginger ale, and bourbon to create this cocktail that will soon be in your fall classics collection. We recommend a sweet American classic like Jim Beam and an extra spicy ginger ale like Verner’s for this recipe.

Spiced Blood Orange Champagne Punch:

The next time you’re at the grocery store, keep an eye out for medium-sized oranges with pinkish-red spots in its flesh. These are blood oranges, and they make a perfectly sweet base for a champagne cocktail. Combined with dry brut champagne, white wine, cinnamon, and star anise, this cocktail is perfectly suited for Turkey prep and holiday season cocktail hours. If you cannot find blood oranges, Cara Cara oranges will work equally well.