Cocktails & Quiz Nights
With social distancing and the 2020 lockdown, the use of video conference calls surged. Not my first choice to do business or socialize, but quite often the only choice to connect.
During the recent social distancing requirement, I was always on the hunt for an upbeat twist to the social gatherings from all points near and far. Zoom was a saviour I must admit with its flexibility and the volume of people you could have attending your “gathering”. Mentimeter, a fun interactive presentation software, was a perfect choice to design theme-based Happy Hour quiz nights.
Of course, along with the theme, the requisite appropriate cocktail was required…and here is where the fun begins!
For Italy Quiz night the questions ranged all things Italian: history, geography, the arts and of course random fun facts. Of course my bevvie of choice would incorporate a light and luscious Limoncello based refreshment: Lemon Sunshine.
Lemon Sunshine
Serve chilled with a lemon twist…Saluti!
Onto France, another of my favourite countries and of course the appropriate beverage was a classic French 75.
French 75
- 2 ounces dry gin ( I love Aviation Gin or Henricks)
- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces Champagne
Serve with a lemon twist…à votre santé!
Perhaps one of the most interesting nights was a general knowledge quiz night, but given that we were all in lockdown, the beverage had to be a concoction (real or invented) pertaining to a plague. Yes, perhaps a bit macabre (too soon?), but sometimes a little dark humour does lighten the mood.
Given the most devastating plagues of all time was the Bubonic plague ( Black death) in the 1300’s, I hereby give you my original: The Bubonic Blue.
Bubonic Blue
- 1 oz Aviation Gin
- 1 oz Blue Curacao
- 1 T Lemon simple syrup
- 2 oz white cranberry juice
Garnish with frozen blackberries or blueberries…Cheers m’ dears!
Though I am happy to share the recipes with you, and much boisterous fun was to be had, I will however not share my placing in all these quiz nights.
Suffice to say, not in the top 3 (or 5 for that matter) in my quiz results ranking, but rather delighted with the lovely company of the evening and with my beverage of choice for the respective evenings regardless!
Xo – Sandra
