The weekend is here and sadly we can’t visit our favorite haunts in person,
but that doesn’t mean we can’t get creative.

In San Antonio, the James Beard-nominated Esquire Tavern and its sister bar, Downstairs at the Esquire, have temporarily closed their dining rooms to keep patrons safe, but we can still enjoy one of their craft cocktails. Courtesy of Beverage Director Houston Eaves come these three Esquire signature recipes to make safely at home. 

Bonus: In addition, the Esquire team is also selling wine, beer and cider for curbside pickup or delivery within a two-mile radius of the restaurant and bar. Esquire is also available for delivery on Postmates, Grubhub, Favor and Doordash.

50:50 Freezer Martini

Ingredients: 750 ml bottle of Navy Strength Gin (recommended: Hayman’s Royal Dock) | 1 bottle of Dry Vermouth (recommended: Dolin Dry) | 1 lemon peel | Castelvetrano olives (optional)

Preparation:
Wash hands for 20 seconds.
Empty half of one bottle into a clean measuring cup, pour half of the other bottle into that bottle to fill it, and then what’s in the measuring cup back in the other bottle to fill that one.
Put both full bottles in the freezer, wait a couple hours and then pour yourself a martini.
Tip: Express the oil of a lemon peel over the drink for enhanced aromatics.
Optional: Enjoy some Castelvetrano olives on the side, or even add some olive juice to your mix to taste.

French 75

Ingredients: 1 oz Hayman’s London Dry Gin | 0.5 oz lemon juice | 0.5 oz simple syrup | 1 bottle of a dry sparkling wine

Preparation:
Combine gin, lemon juice and simple syrup, then top off with the sparkling wine.
Give the mixture a hard shake.
Strain the mixture twice.
Pour into a champagne flute and garnish with a lemon peel.

Sea of Confusion

For something a bit more complex, booze aficionados can try their hand at this specialty cocktail sure to make anyone feel like they’re lounging at the beach or cruising at sea.

Ingredients: 1 oz Hamilton Jamaican Gold Rum | 0.5 oz Clear Creek Pear Brandy | 0.25 oz Chartreuse | 0.25 oz Amaro Sfumato | 0.75 oz Passionfruit Syrup | 0.5 oz Lemon Juice | 5-6 dashes Angostura-Lemonhart 151 | Mint

Preparation:
Fill a glass of your choice with ice (recommended: pebble ice).
Combine all ingredients in the glass.
Stir all ingredients together.
Top with a generous sprig of mint.

Cover photo Eaters Collective on Unsplash