What are the best drinks for a lazy evening at home? That depends on your mood, but the shortest list looks like this:
- Aperol Spritz – orange liqueur, prosecco, and a splash of sparkling water, ready in two minutes
- Nojito – lime juice, fresh mint, sugar syrup, and sparkling water, no alcohol needed
- Hot chocolate – with a dash of Baileys or simply plain, perfect for a movie
- Ginger-lime mocktail – ginger concentrate, lime juice, and sparkling water, refreshing and full of flavor
- Ready-to-drink cocktail – straight from the bottle, no mixer, no washing up
54.1% of Dutch people who spend an evening at home enjoy themselves just as much without alcohol. Taste matters more than alcohol content: 95% of Gen Z and Millennials choose a drink purely based on taste. That makes the choice easier: go for what tastes good, not for what "should" be there.
Which easy cocktails can you make quickly at home?
Three cocktails you can have on the table in less than five minutes, with ingredients you'll find at any supermarket.
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Glass | Serving Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aperol Spritz | Aperol, prosecco, sparkling water, orange slice | Wine glass with ice | Chilled |
| Nojito (alcohol-free) | Lime juice, mint, sugar syrup, sparkling water | Highball with ice | Ice cold, 4 °C |
| Hot chocolate | Full-fat milk, pure cocoa, sugar, optional Baileys | Mug or tea glass | Warm |
| Strawberry Piña Colada | Strawberry, pineapple juice, coconut cream, optional rum | Wide glass with ice | Chilled, 4 °C |
Aperol Spritz is the most popular homemade cocktail in the Netherlands, and rightly so: three ingredients, one glass, no shaker. Fill a large wine glass with ice, pour three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part sparkling water, then add an orange slice. Done.
The Strawberry Piña Colada deserves a spot on this list because you can also make it alcohol-free by omitting the rum. Blend frozen strawberries with pineapple juice and coconut cream, pour into a wide glass, and garnish with a strawberry. Five minutes of work, tropical result.
Pro-tip: Chill your glasses in the freezer for ten minutes before pouring. A cold glass keeps your drink at temperature longer without needing extra ice.
Want to make cocktails without complicated fuss? Read also how to make cocktails without a recipe or expensive equipment.
For snacks, a salty counterpart pairs best with sweet cocktails. Think olives with a Spritz, or tortilla chips with guacamole for a tropical variant. Hot chocolate calls for something sweet: a piece of dark chocolate or a cookie.
Healthy alcohol-free drinks for a relaxed evening
Alcohol-free options are no longer a boring choice. The key lies in the ingredients: bitter and fermented basic components give mocktails the depth that alcohol normally provides.
- Ginger-lime mocktail – ginger concentrate or Gimber, lime juice, sparkling water, ice cubes
- Kombucha with orange – kombucha as a base, orange slice, possibly mint
- Nojito – fresh mint, lime juice, sugar syrup, sparkling water
- Herbal tea with honey – chamomile or rooibos, a spoonful of honey, lemon slice
- Berry Sparkler – blueberry juice, pomegranate juice, sparkling water, frozen berries as ice
Fermented drinks like kombucha and ginger concentrates give mocktails aromatic depth and a mature taste experience. That's precisely why a well-made mocktail doesn't feel like a compromise.
Alcohol disrupts sleep, a mocktail does not. Those who want a late-night drink without paying for it the next morning wisely choose an alcohol-free option. Alcohol-free cocktails do not disrupt sleep quality and help you rest relaxed.
Pro-tip: Lightly bruise fresh mint leaves with the back of a spoon before adding them to the glass. This releases the aromas without making the mint bitter.
A beautiful mocktail in a good glass also provides social support: the empty-glass feeling disappears, and no one asks why you're not drinking. Presentation matters more than you think. Use a highball or a wine glass, add a slice of lemon or a sprig of mint, and the drink immediately feels more festive.
For warm evenings or a winter binge-watching session, herbal tea is an excellent choice. Chamomile calms, rooibos is naturally sweet and caffeine-free. Add a spoonful of honey and a slice of lemon, and you have a warm drink that suits any series.
Inspiration for tequila-based recipes can also be found online if you want to try something different from the standard options.
Why ready-to-drink cocktails from Cocktailsbynina work so well for a lazy evening
Making cocktails yourself is fun, but sometimes you just want to flop onto the couch without first writing a shopping list. That's exactly what ready-to-drink cocktails from Cocktailsbynina are made for.
Why choose ready-to-drink for a lazy evening:
- No preparation – no mixing, no measuring, no washing up
- Bar-quality at home – premium ingredients and spirits, professionally crafted
- Alcohol-free and alcoholic – something for everyone, even if you have guests with different preferences
- Beautifully presented – the bottles are gift-worthy, even if you buy them for yourself
- Quickly ordered – delivery in the Netherlands and Belgium, directly to your door
Cocktailsbynina offers not only individual bottles but also cocktail boxes, allowing you to try multiple flavors at once. A cocktail box with four items is ideal for an evening with friends or just to discover your favorites. For those who want to go alcohol-free, Cocktailsbynina's range of alcohol-free cocktails is a serious option: flavorful mocktails you can pour directly.
71% of Dutch beer drinkers drink at home, and the demand for quality home drinks is growing. Cocktailsbynina directly responds to this with a range that requires no bartending knowledge. Pour, set down a good glass, and enjoy.
Accessories like the right glassware and decoration make the difference between an ordinary evening and a true experience. Cocktailsbynina also provides atmospheric accessories that complete the home drinking experience.
Cocktailsbynina: bar-quality without the fuss, delivered to your door
Fancy a delicious cocktail or mocktail tonight, but don't feel like shopping or looking up recipes? Cocktailsbynina delivers ready-to-drink bar-quality beverages directly to your home in the Netherlands and Belgium. No mixer needed, no complicated ingredient list.
The range includes classic cocktails and flavorful alcohol-free mocktails that you can pour directly. Order a trial box, discover your favorites, and have them ready for your next lazy evening. View the full range at cocktailsbynina.com and order today.
Key insights
The best drinks for a lazy evening at home are easy to make or order directly, taste-driven, and equally delicious with or without alcohol.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Taste over alcohol | 95% of Gen Z and Millennials choose a drink purely based on taste, not alcohol content. |
| Alcohol-free is fulfilling | 54.1% of people staying home enjoy themselves just as much without alcohol; mocktails do not disrupt sleep. |
| Fermented base works | Kombucha and ginger concentrate give mocktails aromatic depth and a mature taste. |
| Presentation matters | A good glass with garnish makes a mocktail or cocktail instantly more festive and socially comfortable. |
| Cocktailsbynina for convenience | Ready-to-drink bar-quality cocktails and mocktails, no preparation needed, available in the Netherlands and Belgium. |
