If you were looking for a sign to throw an intimate get together, this is it! After all, who doesn’t love a cosy winter soiree? Here are three of our favourite ways to spend quality time indoors this season.
Enjoy a casual night in with besties
There’s nothing more comforting than an intimate night in with your closest friends. Picture a scene from a 90s sitcom – people lounging on the floor around a coffee table, playing cards, having a good laugh, and listening to nostalgic tunes. Complete the scene with a few pizzas or another popular comfort food, like a tasty lasagne. You can also never go wrong with a classic board game – like Pictionary or 30 Seconds. Or Monopoly… but that could become a danger to friendships.
Knock the socks off your besties by making them the greatest Lime G&T they’ve ever had. Our pro-tip? Add a little lime tonic syrup to spice things up.
To make it you’ll need: 50ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin; 25ml lime tonic syrup; premium tonic water; a wedge of citrus (to garnish). Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in 50ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin and top with premium tonic. Add 25ml of lime syrup. Stir and garnish with your choice of citrus. We recommend a generous orange wedge.
Host a classy dinner party
Everyone loves a reason to dress up, so think gilded glamour – real gilded glamour, not whatever this year’s Met Gala was. Whether you’re hosting five friends or fifty, a classy dinner party is sure to be a hit. The more extravagant you are, the better. For the menu, start with things that feel expensive, like Mediterranean-style oysters or a fancy charcuterie board. This will give you some room to play around with when it comes to mains, as everyone will be blown away by your starters. At this point, you could serve a burger and they’d be impressed. Maybe play some Bach in the background, just to be safe.
Impress friends further with a glamourous cocktail. Nothing whispers class like a Martini, so why not present your guests with a Millionaire’s Martini? This swanky Champagne-topped cocktail originates from the 19th century and is a delightful nod to the Gilded Age. Plus, it looks spectacular.
To make it you’ll need: 40ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin; 40 ml dry vermouth; Champagne (or sparkling wine). Combine the gin and vermouth in an ice-filled mixing glass. Stir until properly chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with more bubbly.
Surprise your partner with a romantic indoor picnic
Sometimes, the only person you need for the perfect winter soiree is your significant other. While it may be a little cold to host a romantic evening picnic outside, there’s nothing preventing you from setting up indoors. Load shedding is even helping to set the mood, and candles will be more than a romantic touch; they’ll be a necessity. Surprise your partner with their favourite food, play some Marvin Gaye, and get that romance on.
The perfect romantic dinner wouldn’t be complete without some sweet Hanky Panky… cocktails. This classic cocktail is the cherry on top of a wonderful night spent gazing into the eyes of your special someone. It’s sweet, strong, and complex – just like a good relationship.
To make it you’ll need: 40ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin; 40ml sweet vermouth; 2 dashes Fernet Branca; 1 maraschino cherry (to garnish). Combine the Sipsmith gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet Branca in an ice-filled shaker. Shake or stir as you prefer. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and enjoy!
Whether you’re a homebody who loves a good boardgame, a Gatsby-level host, or even a hopeless romantic, don’t let the cold stop you from charging those.
