Wake up, style-up, Netflix, snacks, naps, repeat. Sound familiar? The Hawkins & Brimble team are here to help! To help you mix it up and keep things fresh, we’ve been sharing some of our own successful nights in. We’ve put together a series of ‘date night challenges’, so you too can show someone special a little tender loving care. Whether that’s your partner, your housemates, your pet or just an opportunity for some self indulgence!
This week it’s Date Night Challenge #03, time to don your best bar apron and get creative with some mixology! This one may need a little prep, so make a list and grab the ingredients at your next essentials shop. We’ve summed up our favourite cocktails and mocktails that are sure to impress for you to try at home.
Be sure to tag us @hawkinsandbrimble #DateNightChallenge in all your incredible cocktail photos!
Hawkins & Brimble Cocktail Masterclass
Old Fashioned
You will need 
- 1 thick slice orange peel
- 1 maraschino cherry, with stem
- 1 tsp simple sugar syrup
- 2-3 drops bitters
- 50ml/2fl oz Scotch or Bourbon
- Twist of lemon peel, to garnish
- Ice Cubes
- Muddler or spoon
Method
Take the orange peel and squeeze it with your fingers to release a burst of the fragrant oils. Rub the peel around the insides of a whisky tumbler, then place into the glass. Add the cherry, sugar syrup and bitters, along with three ice cubes and muddle (gently crush).
Add half of the scotch or bourbon and stir for about ten seconds. Add more ice and the remaining scotch or bourbon and stir again for 10-15 seconds.
To serve, garnish with lemon peel.
Black Raspberry Margarita 
You will need:
- 25 ml Chambord liqueur
- 50 ml tequila
- 25 ml pomegranate juice
- Squeeze of lime juice
- Raspberry and/or lime to garnish
- Cocktail shaker
- Ice cubes
- Sugar
Method
Run a wedge of lime around the rim of your glass and then dip in sugar.
Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in Chambord, tequila, pomegranate juice and lime juice.
Shake for 30 seconds and strain into your glass. Garnish with raspberry and/or lime.
Classic British Pimm’s & Lemonade 
You will need:
50 ml Pimm’s No. 1
150 ml lemonade
Sliced oranges
Sliced cucumber
Sliced strawberries
5 mint leaves & 1 sprig to garnish
Ice cubes
Method
Fill a tall glass with ice, add fruit and mint (saving a small sprig) and stir.
Add Pimm’s, top with lemonade and add remaining mint leaves to garnish.
Whiskey Smash 
You will need:
- 3 wedges lemon
- 4 Mint leaves & 1 sprig to garnish
- 25 ml simple syrup
- 50 ml Bourbon
- Ice cubes
- Cocktail Shaker
- Small strainer
- Reusable straw
Method
Muddle (gently crush) the lemon in your cocktail shaker. Add the remaining ingredients and ice and shake.
Double-strain into a rocks glass over ice.
Slap a mint sprig between your hands and use as garnish. Serve with a reusable straw.
Tropical Brimlada (Alcohol Free) 
You will need:
- 50 ml coconut milk
- 75 ml pineapple juice
- 75 ml mango juice
- 1 small banana
- 1 pineapple slice
- Ice cubes
- Reusable straw
- Blender
Method
Peel the banana and place in a blender with the juice and coconut milk.
Add in some ice and blend for 10 seconds.
Pour in a large glass and serve with a straw with a garnish of sliced pineapple on the rim.
