Looking to rustle up a quick cocktail without a trip to the shops? The store cupboard can be a great hiding place for ingredients. From tea bags and tinned fruit to jars of olives and spices, a little raid of the larder can help produce a delicious tipple in just a couple of shakes.
A spoonful of jam will add a fruity twist to a classic margarita, blitz that tin of peaches into a bellini, or raid your spice collection to make a hot buttered rum.
From tea bags and tinned fruit to warming spices, a raid of the larder and spirit cabinet can produce a brilliant weekend tipple in just a couple of shakes. With these store-cupboard cocktail recipes up your sleeve, you’ll be ready for all occasions.
Most of us have an open jar of jam knocking about – did you know you can use it to give your traditional margarita a strawberry shake up? Or, if you have a stash of berries in the freezer, try this Frozen berry margarita for flamboyant, fresh flavour.
Pass on the custard and elevate that tin of peaches with some Champagne, in this classic cocktail. Whiz to a purée, top up with fizz and you’re all set.
MORE: Cocktail recipes
For a handy ingredient hack, swap blackberry liqueur crème de mûre for blackberry jam in this colourful gin cocktail. Warning: it’s so easy to make and tastes so good, this could quickly become your favourite cocktail recipe!
Not sure what to do with those pink peppercorns beyond dressings and sauces? Put them to tasty use in this interesting twist on a negroni. They add a real spicy punch that pairs brilliantly with sweet blood orange. Alternatively, raid your spice cupboard to make this warming infused gin negroni.
Milk in a cocktail may sound a bit strange, but there’s something so right about this unusual Victorian drink, made with Earl Grey tea, spices and pineapple.
This one is perfect around Christmas time, when you’re bound to have an open jar of cranberry sauce. Shake up a spoonful of it with lime juice and white rum or tequila for a festive number that’s full of fun.
Cognac, honey and chai tea are all you need for this warming tipple. This one is made without milk, making it a lighter drink. Gingerbread dunker = optional.
Whether you prefer strawberry or raspberry jam, it’s all good in this sweet rum concoction flavoured with fresh lime. Top up with soda if you prefer a longer drink – delicious!
A classic brunch cocktail where Worcestershire and Tabasco are the flavour makers. When whipping up Bloody Marys for a group of people, make a jug without spice and let people add their own Tabasco – some like it hotter than others!
This winter warmer mixes rum with store-cupboard faves – cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg – plus butter, cloudy apple juice and apricot brandy. Just what you need after a bracing chilly walk.
Looking for inspo for delicious meals to cook from your store cupboard? You’ll find great recipes here.