In case you’ve never given it a second thought, every day, somewhere it’s 5 o’clock. Sure, we know you’d rather be enjoying Happy Hour relaxing poolside with a cocktail in hand. Or maybe at a rooftop bar in New York City with friends. Sadly, we know that’s not possible yet. But there’s nothing stopping you from recreating fabulous cocktails at home. And when you do, invite your friends to your “Virtual” Happy Hour. The experience may be simulated, but the drinks will be real. Cheers to that!
The TravelSquire’s own Virtual Happy Hour Series nods to an assortment of select hotel bars around the world. We’ve rounded-up of some the finest wanderlust-inducing cocktails from these luxury properties to transport your taste buds to their far-flung destinations – the fragrant gardens of a Parisian Palace, the glamorous 1920s in the Scottish Highlands, and the powder-soft sands of Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
With Virtual Happy Hour on apps such as FaceTime, Zoom and House Party trending more than ever, our suggested cocktails aim to keep friends entertained virtually while in self-isolation.
So, grab your shaker, pound some ice and get ready to have a little fun creating … then sipping!
THE DESTINATION: Barbados
Long before Rihanna put the island of Barbados on the map, it was renowned as a haven for British expats who preferred to winter in the Caribbean, it being part of the Commonwealth after all. Today its music scene is as diverse as its people but a syncopated 1, 2 cha cha cha Calypso is often the beat heard (and danced to) across the island nightly.
THE HOTEL: Cobblers Cove
The Cobblers Cooler is almost as iconic as its home and namesake, Cobblers Cove. This much-loved resort is set on Barbados’s platinum coast right on the white sand beaches and turquoise waters the Western side of the island is famed for. The Cobblers Cooler is a delicious rum-based cocktail blended with tropical fruits and topped with a sprinkling of sugar. A generous serving of local Doorly’s 5-Year-Old rum is blended with fresh banana, pineapple, lime and grenadine, served in a hurricane glass and topped with a pineapple leaf and lime wheel. The cocktail is best enjoyed imagined under the candy stripe pink-and-white parasols on one of the luxuriously soft pool loungers.
THE COCKTAIL: THE COBBLERS COOLER
A seductive rum quencher that evokes the true Planters Punch found only in the Caribbean.
THE RECIPE:
- 70ml Doorly’s 5-Year-Old rum
- 10ml Grenadine
- 30ml Fresh Pineapple Juice
- One Banana
- 15ml Fruit Juice
- 25ml Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ scoop crushed ice
THE PREPARATION:
- Blend all ingredients together and pour into a hurricane glass over crushed ice
- Garnish with a pineapple leaf, lime wheel and a dusting of sugar
HOW: www.cobblerscove.com
*When virtual happy hours are a thing of the past, consider a stay at Cobblers Cove.
And for Venturing Afar…
With Cobblers Cove situated at the edge of the cerulean waters of the sea, you may never want to leave the hotel. But should you decide to venture out, an abundance of experiences await. Start by catching a good game of cricket—the national sport of the West Indies. Should you decide to be more than a spectator, the Franklin Stevenson Cricket Academy offers private sessions for all ability levels. A gardener’s paradise, Barbados showcases spectacular tropical specimens. Join a garden tour of Hunte’s Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Orchid World or Flower Forest to delight in the multi-chromatic splendor of the islands fabulous blooms.
For architectural enthusiasts, a Heritage Tour provides a glimpse of Barbados’ rich history and fascinating buildings including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bridgetown and its Garrison, an outstanding example of British colonial architecture consisting of a well-preserved old town built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
If you’re looking for a spirited adventure, join a Highland Rum Shack Tour where an open-sided Bajan Reggae bus transports you to remote rum shacks in the Scotland District. Be sure to save room for happy hour back at Cobblers Cove where you’ll no doubt want to imbibe in at least one more of the hotel’s namesake cocktail. Cheers!