Top 5 Happy Hour Cocktails To Make At Home

November 12^th is National Happy Hour Day!

The term took on a different meaning during prohibition, 1920 to 1933, where “Happy Hour” became a euphemism for people meeting to drink secretly before having dinner at a public restaurant, where the sale and consumption of alcohol was illegal. Think of it as the early predecessor to “pre-gaming.”

From sailors to sinners – the history of “Happy Hour” is almost as interesting as actually going to happy hour!

Now that you know a brief history of the term, let’s make sure you get the most out of your next homemade happy hour with these 5 favorite Happy Hour cocktails.

Pineapple Rum Cocktail

Whip up a batch of this tropical crowd pleaser and kick your feet up for an hour after work. Serves 8.

Ingredients

• 1 can (46 oz.) pineapple juice
• 2 cups spiced rum
• ½ cup fresh lime juice (from 6 to 8 limes)
• Lime slices, for garnish

Directions

In a large pitcher, stir together pineapple juice, spiced rum, and lime juice. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice, garnished with lime slices.

Manzarita

A tequila smash with an autumnal twist! Serves 1.

Ingredients

• ½ lemon, quartered
• Pinch of ground cinnamon
• Ice
• 2 oz. blanco tequila
• 1 oz. elderflower liqueur
• 1½ oz. apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon quarters with the ground cinnamon.
2. Add ice and the tequila, elderflower liqueur and apple cider and shake well.
3. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with the cinnamon stick.

Autumn Spiced Tonic

This one requires a little more prep work, but it’s a delicious spin on the standard gin and tonic that’s well worth the effort.

Ingredients

• 1½ apple-pear-cinnamon vodka (recipe below)
• 1 splash simple syrup
• 8​ – 9 oz. ​tonic water (to fill glass)
• Garnish: apple slice

Directions

1. Pour the vodka and syrup into a highball glass filled with ice.
2. Fill with tonic water and stir well.
3. Garnish with an apple slice.

Infusion Ingredients

• 1 red apple
• 1 pear
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1-750ml bottle vodka

Infusion Directions

1. Cut the apple and pear into large chunks, about 8 pieces per fruit. Remove seeds for easy straining later.
2. Pour the vodka into a large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
3. Add the cut fruit and shake well.
4. Store in a cool, dry place for about 3-4 days, checking for taste and shaking daily.
5. About one day prior to the perfect fruit flavor, add a cinnamon stick, recover and shake again.
6. Allow to sit for one more day, then taste.
7. Once the flavor is at your preferred level, strain out the fruits and cinnamon using a cheesecloth.
8. Pour into a bottle with a tight-sealing lid and enjoy.

Nutty Martini

Everyone likes dessert and this cocktail will tickle your sweet tooth after work.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. vodka
• ¾ Frangelico
• 1 tsp. simple syrup

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the ingredients.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Pot of Gold

A flavorful twist on the Moscow Mule! Serves 1.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. vodka
• ½ elderflower liqueur
• 4 pieces cucumber cut thick
• 8 leaves fresh mint
• 1 oz. ginger beer
• Garnish: fresh mint

Directions

1. Muddle cucumber and mint. Add vodka and elderflower.
2. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass, then top with ginger beer.
3. Garnish with cucumber wheel and mint.