Looking for a way to spend more quality time with your partner? Build a Drinks at 5 routine into your daily schedule! Here’s what you need to get started.
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I don’t have to tell you that that I love routines
From morning coffee to books at bedtime, routines help to mark the passage of my days and remind me to celebrate the small moments of life. And of all the things I do everyday, of all the routines and daily celebrations, my very favorite is Drinks at 5.
It’s my favorite for two reasons:
- It involves spending time with David
- It involves cocktails
We have an agreement that, no matter what else is going on, at 5 o’ clock we’ll stop what we’re doing and sit down together to chat or listen to birds or reminisce about when the kids were little or plan for a future now that they’re grown. It’s a time for us to relax, to put everything aside and just be together.
In the winter months we usually curl up in the front room with a glass of red wine or something bourbony. By 5 o’clock it’s almost dark — the day is over, work is done. Time to settle in.
In the summer though, when it’s warm and expansive, when days are full and 5 o’clock is a long way from bedtime, we gather on the porch with something “cool and summery.”
Summer Drinks at 5
Some days it’s gin and tonics with a splash of elderflower liqueur. Or maybe a pitcher of sangria with loads of summer fruits. Rum, coconut milk and frozen pineapple whizzed up in the blender? Yes, that’ll work!
As long as there’s ice involved we’re on board. (I mean, summers in Mississippi are HOT!)
Looking to create your own Drinks at 5 routine?
Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Invest in beautiful glassware.
Using gorgeous glasses will turn drinks into an event. These don’t have to be expensive — usually thrift shops have tons of glasses available at great prices. To be ready for any cocktail, search out wine glasses, champagne glasses and rocks glasses. Oh, and a shot glass for measuring. If you’re the measuring type : )
Here’s a thorough list of types of cocktail glasses and their uses.
Stock a basic bar.
- Vodka, gin, bourbon and rum are our favorites for mixed drinks.
- We keep red wine, white wine and a bottle or so of bubbly in the pantry.
- Limes and lemons are required for many drinks so keep them around.
- Frozen fruit is extra handy: pineapple chunks for rum drinks, peaches for a white wine spritzer and mixed berries to plonk in sangria.
- And of course tonic water plus fruit juices like orange, grapefruit and cranberry as mixers.
- I’m an IPA drinker, so we always have a nice selection of beer as well.
Try new recipes.
It’s fun to try new recipes together! If you have a bar stocked with the basics you’ll always be ready to try something new or to put a new spin on an old favorite.
Here are a few new summery drinks to try:
Set the mood.
Turn on some music or listen to birdsong. Retire to a special place, preferably somewhere outside your normal routine. What about the front porch? Or maybe your formal and therefore seldom used living room? Make this a special time apart.
Clear your calendar.
To really make this Drinks at 5 routine a celebration you’ll need to put aside everything else you think you should be doing. Turn off the device. Close the book. Now is the time to focus on your partner, to share news of the day and to formulate plans for the future. Or to just be quiet together.
Here are a few ideas for appetizers to have with Drinks at 5:
- A few dried figs stuffed with almonds
- Spinach Artichoke Dip with crostini
- Sharp cheddar on crackers with Fiery Jezebel Sauce