These Cocktail Recipes for Tedious Tasks Will Keep You in Good Spirits

Drinks for Mundane Tasks - Packing Decorations

Sometimes eggnog isn’t enough to get you through the tasks you most want to avoid this season—like untangling never-ending heaps of string lights or braving Black Friday crowds. But what if you could pair cocktails with everyday errands to keep your holiday spirits bright?

Our new book Drinks for Mundane Tasks: 70 Cocktail Recipes for Everyday Chores by David Vienna tackles just that. The excerpt recipes below will help you get crap done while keeping your mind somewhat merry. Now stand up, raise a glass, and get to it!


1. Writing a to-do list: The Priority One

Drinks for Mundane Tasks - Writing A To Do List

Yes, there’s nothing more gratifying than a well-written to-do list, except perhaps the Priority One. The fizzy tonic will make sure you stay focused, stay refreshed, and stay happy. Of course, if “Restock the bar” is on your to-do list, you may have a bit of a conundrum.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 oz tequila
  • ½ oz crème de cassis
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 7UP®

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix tequila, crème de cassis, orange juice, and pineapple juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a collins glass, and then top off with 7Up. On your list, check off “Make myself a good drink.”

2. Doing laundry: The Lost Sock

Drinks for Mundane Tasks - Doing Laundry

The pile of freshly washed and dried clothes may put a wrinkle in your day, but thanks to the apricot garnish of the Lost Sock you’ll get plenty of iron. Now, the steps are wash, dry, fold, stack, sip, repeat.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 oz rye
  • 1 oz dry vermouth
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • apricot

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix rye, vermouth, and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, strain into a martini glass, and garnish with apricot. Consider leaving the laundry until tomorrow.

3. Holiday decorating: The Zombie Claus

Whether it’s July 5th, November 1st, December 26th, or any of the other dates that follow major holidays, the thankless work of [putting up and] taking down decorations must be done. Break out the boxes, but before you swap out your patriotic lawn ornaments or wrestle the fake spider webs out of the hedges, make a Zombie Claus.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 oz sauvignon blanc
  • 2 oz lime juice
  • 2 oz orange juice
  • 2 oz pineapple juice
  • 2 oz apple juice
  • 1 oz grenadine
  • ½ oz almond syrup
  • mint sprig

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix wine, lime juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, apple juice, grenadine, and almond syrup in a blender with ice. Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with mint sprig. Do not attempt to drink while wearing vampire teeth.


Want more tasteful cocktail and task pairings? Get your copy of Drinks for Mundane Tasks, or gift it to someone who has a very long to-do list.