Whether you’re looking for a date night activity, or want something fancy to drink during your next Zoom happy hour, Charlotte bars and restaurants have you covered.
Here are 11 cocktail kits that you can order and make at home.
(1) Cucumber mule from Soul Gastrolounge
Details: With Soul’s refreshing cucumber mule kit, you just need to add the club soda and vodka. Make cocktails for two for $6 or get the “party pack” and add on two copper mugs for $30 total. Soul also has a Twitch stream to replace its typical DJ booth and further prove Soul is the coolest restaurant and bar in town. Check Instagram for details.
To order: Order online here. The mule kits are under the section labeled “Non Alcohol.” There’s also beer, wine, and sake available. Pickup or get delivery if you’re within Soul’s limited delivery area.
Courtesy of Soul Gastrolounge.
(2) Margarita from Sabor
Details: If you have tequila and triple sec on hand, try Sabor’s margarita mix for $3. Add a DIY arepa and empanada kit to round out the meal.
To order: Order online from any one of Sabor’s 15 locations. Or you can call in to the Sabor you’d like to order from, but deals are sometimes better online. Available for pickup or delivery.
(3) Mimosas from Snooze
Details: For $25, get a mimosa kit from Snooze in Plaza Midwood. It includes a bottle of prosecco, 32-ounces of orange juice or watermelon cold-pressed juice.
To order: Order online and be sure you have an ID on you for pickup or delivery.
(4) Champagne punch from Bring the Queen (Haberdish and co.)
Details: Colleen Hughes, mixologist for Haberdish and company, has five cocktail kits available through Haberdish and Bring the Queen pick-up window on North Davidson Street in NoDa. Right now we’re craving the “Happy Go Lucky” champagne punch with blood orange tea, grapefruit syrup, clarified lime juice, clarified grapefruit juice, Peychaud’s bitters, and a bottle of Champagne (Perelada Cava Brut). The kit makes about five cocktails and can be garnished with organic edible flowers “if anyone has that on hand in a pandemic,” co-owner Jamie Brown jokes.
To order: Order from Haberish’s website or Bring the Queen. If one site is sold out, Brown recommends checking the other.
Photo courtesy of Jamie Brown, Haberdish.
(5) Margaritas from RuRu’s Tacos
Details: In case you’re not sure what month it is anymore, it’s almost Cinco de Mayo. Time to order some margarita mix. RuRu’s sells mix by the gallon for $25, just add your favorite tequila.
To order: RuRu’s uses Postmates for pickup and delivery. You can find the margarita mix under the “Starters” section.
A gallon of margarita mix from RuRu’s for $25. Photo courtesy RuRu’s.
(6) Cucumber fresco cocktail from Dilworth Tasting Room
Details: Three days a week, Dilworth Tasting Room offers $10 cocktail kits for two. Pictured here is the cucumber fresco cocktail with fresh-pressed cucumber juice, mint syrup, and lime juice. You add your choice of vodka or gin. On Thursday this week, DTR has its spin on a Bee’s Knees or whiskey sour, depending on whether you add gin or whiskey to the spiced honey cocktail. For more details, check out the restaurant and bar’s Instagram or menu here.
Live demonstration: On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8 p.m., Dilworth Tasting Room offers free demonstrations of how to make the cocktails via Instagram Live.
To order: Call 704.595.3337 to order.
Photo courtesy of Chad Whittington, Dilworth Tasting Room.
(7) Cocktail class bundles from Idlewild
Details: For $10, Idlewild staff will hand deliver ingredients for a cocktail along with instructions for an at-home class mixology class. If you order more than 10 classes/drinks, each is $8 instead of $10. You can choose from a Negroni, margarita, daiquiri, or seven other options. Or upgrade to large format cocktail for $50.
To order: Venmo @idlewildcocktails to pay and send a DM or email idlewildcocktails@gmail.com to place your order.
Cocktails at Idlewild.
(8) Sugar & Spice martini from O-Ku
Details: Choose from a Sugar & Spice martini or a lychee martini to go along with your sushi from O-Ku. For both, just add vodka. With the Sugar & Spice martini, consider infusing your vodka with habaneros for an extra kick. Just let the peppers sit in the vodka bottle overnight.
To order: Call 704.594.1922 from 4-8 p.m. to order.
(9) Drinks from bardo.
Details: The featured kits change weekly and serve two people. All pre-measured ingredients are included (minus the alcohol), and it costs $8. You can also do mimosa kits on weekends which include fruit juices and champagne for $20.
To order: Call 980.585.2433 to order a kit to go.
Cooling Effect – Lunazul Reposado, arbol & guajillo peppers, aloe, agave, lime
(10) Tokyo mule from Futo Buta
Details: For $18, make two of Futo Buta’s Tokyo mules. It comes with fresh ginger juice, sake, club soda, and fresh lime.
To order: Order online here. Pickup and delivery available.
Tokyo mule from Futo Buta.
(11) Strawberry-Basil Mule from Dot Dot Dot
Details: Each $25 kit comes with fresh juices, house-made syrups, and garnishes, and it makes 8-12 cocktails. You can choose from an Old Fashioned, Paloma, Lily Wants a Pony, Moscow Mule, Strawberry-Basil Mule, or Mint Julep.
To order: Order online here. Curbside pickup is 3-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
