Friends themed cocktails to sip while watching the highly anticipated reunion

Skip the Central Perk coffee and shake up these Friends themed cocktails which are sipping perfection for that viewing event. Whether you watched the show on must see TV all those years ago or have watched and re-watched in syndication, everyone wants to catch up on those favorite moments that made this television show so iconic.

As excitement has built over this HBO Max reunion special, many food and beverage brands have found ways to make the special a total experience. While fans might not be sitting on Monica’s couch or relaxing in Joey’s easy chair, the reality is that people want to celebrate the moment of these friends getting back together.

Recently, several beverage brands and mixologists have joined together to create a few specialty cocktails to toast the Friends reunion. Each of these cocktails has a connection to a specific character. While some of the references might be obvious, others might need a few sips to discover the parallels.

Which Friends themed cocktails will quench your thirst?

Rachel: Byblos Miami’s Rose Gulab

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Ketel One vodka
• .75 oz. pomegranate syrup
• .75 oz. lemon juice

Directions:

• Add all the ingredients into a shaker. Fill with ice. Shake and strain into a glass. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish drink with 4 to 6 rose petals and a spritz of lemon zest.

Tasting notes:

• This cocktail uses homemade pomegranate syrup, but the recipe can be adapted to any berries that you have on hand. Grab the leftover blueberries, strawberries or mix them all for a sweet, yet bright sip.

Ross: Bodega Taqueria y Tequila’s Mezcal Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2oz Sacrvm Ensamble
• .25oz Ancho Reyes
• .25oz Demerara Syrup
• 3d Angostura Bitter
• 2d Orange Bitter

Directions:

• Combine liquid ingredients in mixing glass. Add ice. Stir roughly 30-45 seconds to fully combine ingredients with dilution. Strain over large cube ice rocks glass. Peel orange. Express oils, rub peel on rim of glass for aromatics. Insert alongside cube.

Tasting notes:

• Like Ross, this cocktail has a nod to a classic yet a little understated. While it might not take the flavor too far into the past, it proves that a great cocktail brings you back to the glass. Maybe the new phrase is come back to the bar, not just get off the plane.

Joey: E11even Vodka’s Spiced Coconut Mu11e at Lost Boy in Downtown Miami

Ingredients:

• 2 oz of E11EVEN Vodka
• 0.25 oz of Lemon Juice
• 0.75 oz of Spiced Coconut Syrup
• 1 oz of East Imperial Ginger Beer
• Angostura Float (7-8 dashes)
• Dehydrated Pineapple and Rosemary Sprig for Garnish

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients except ginger beer in small tin, fill with ice and shake vigorously. Add ginger beer, strain into Collins glass, top with crushed ice and float angostura. Garnish and serve

Tasting Notes:

• How you doing? This cocktail will make you feel a little sweet, a little spicy and always up for a good time. More importantly, one sip peels back the layers. Just like Joey, beyond the surface there is a lot offered.

Chandler: Sweet Liberty’s Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Grey Goose
• ½ oz. Aberfeldy Scotch
• ¼ oz. coffee liqueur
• ¼ oz. amaro
• ¼ oz. Drambuie
• ½ oz. honey
• 1.5 oz. espresso coffee
• Pinch of cayenne pepper in shaker

Directions:

• Add all ingredients into a shaker and shake, very hard. Fine strain into a glass, garnish with Cayenne across half glass

Tasting Notes:

• The combination of pepper and coffee pushes the boundaries in this cocktail. Instead of just a few ingredients in the glass, this espresso martini is a big, bold flavor. Just watch out about the power of this sip. Similar to those sarcastic jokes, it can sneak up on you.

Monica: Sweet Liberty’s Aperol Spritz

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Aperol
• 3 oz. champagne
• Top with soda (your desired amount)

Directions:

• Build in wine glass with ice. If you want to get fancy: Add a vibrant garnish with an orange slice.

Tasting Notes:

• While Monica always liked everything in its place, this Aperol Spritz is a little traditional and a little exciting. Depending on the mood, it can become a little more subdue.

Phoebe: Byblos Miami’s Marrakesh Garden

Ingredients:

• 2oz. Rum
• 1oz. Lime
• 1oz. Cucumber Juice
• 1oz. Mint Syrup

Directions:

• Combine ingredients in a long glass. Add ice and garnish with nigella seeds.

Tasting Notes:

• This cocktail is a little all over the place but quite delightful. Just like Phoebe, it is not expected but always welcome.

Which Friends themed cocktails will you be sipping while watching the reunion? Are you excited to toast the end of the break?