Serving the finest escapism the small screen has to offer, and the drink to match.

Life can feel a bit like groundhog day nowadays, plans are scant, outings limited and most of us are way overdue for a holiday. One thing we’re not short of, is streaming platforms and viewing options. But rather than leaving the TV on for background noise, use it to break up the day and make an event. Put down your phone, dim the lights, focus, and enjoy some truly great TV with a suitable drink for an immersive experience. They’re with their family, you’re with your family. They’re drinking tequila, you’re drinking tequila. They’re in Hawaii, you’re in… well you can fantasise! Here are five shows guaranteed to deliver some much-needed escapism.

'Gossip Girl' and a Martini with a twist

It’s the millennial reboot that’s still for millennials, but we’re not the students anymore, we’re the teachers. Set at the same privileged NYC high schools (but they’ve gone co-ed), the Gen-Z teens are woke, pansexual, top-tier influencers with booming Instagram accounts. They’re coming out of a year of Zoom school because, unlike the original that famously pretended the Global Financial Crisis never happened, in this version the world keeps turning. The teachers have lost control of the students (who needs an A in Science when you’re pulling in $50k a post?), so they decide to resurrect an old ghost, Gossip Girl. This time she’s on IG. Just like Serena and Blair before them, Julien and Audrey hang out at impossibly cool bars drinking cocktails they’re definitely too young to have developed the palate for. But for us adults, a Millionaire's Martini, please.

Watch it on: Foxtel

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'The White Lotus' and top shelf tequila

A classic whodunnit in a tropical setting with some heavily flawed characters – AKA the kind of thing you can’t turn off. There’s tension, cringe and uncomfortable truths, but the biggest laughs in this comedy-drama are brought by Jennifer Coolidge. Her character has come to The White Lotus, a luxury resort in Hawaii, to scatter the ashes of her unloving mother, and she just needs a massage, like, now. In the penultimate episode Mark, played by Steven Zahn, has had a hell of a day, so he orders tequila, Don Julio 1942. Maybe a bit too bougie for a night in front of the TV, but the Don Julio Blanco is a worthy substitute. It’s a bit slow to get going, but hold out for the romantic sunset boat cruise. Laugh. Out. Loud.

Watch it on: Binge

'Cooking with Paris' and a Margarita

Back at the start of last year, Paris Hilton cooked lasagna in a YouTube video and Netflix turned it into a series. And I am so glad they did because it’s great. If you’ve seen anything of Paris in the past few years, you know she’s shown what’s behind the baby voice and blonde “that’s hot” facade. In this series, Paris goes in and out of the character, showing the humour of it. Some of her eccentricities though are very real: fingerless gloves, loving cutesy novelty items (like a rhinestoned spatula), and genuinely having no idea how to navigate a kitchen. Her first guest, Kim Kardashian, comes off like the girl next door in comparison. Enjoy with a Margarita, like the Paris she makes Saweetie.

Watch it on: Netflix

'The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties', Champagne and a bang on the gong

If you love perving on luxury real estate, welcome to the best there is. Not only are these Parisian apartments and chateaus luxurious and expensive, they are chic AF. Worlds apart from the offering on Selling Sunset. Every home deserves a Vogue Living spread, which just proves no one does style better than the French. With the chic houses comes a chic family of real estate agents, literally. L’Agency is a family business: mum, dad, and four sons (well three of them are agents, the youngest is still in high school). They work out of the living room of their own beautiful home, and all are handsome, charming and loving with one another. It’s all Champagne and celebratory gong bangs (they have a gong, not a bell) as long as no one tries to break up the family. Try the Lanson for this one. It goes great with the decor.

Watch it on: Netflix

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'Ted Lasso' and a sporty pint

The second season for this top-to-toe feel-good show has just dropped and it couldn’t come soon enough. It’s the story of Ted Lasso, a small-time American football coach who takes a job coaching a professional soccer team in England. He was brought to run the team into the ground, but his terminal cheerfulness, can-do attitude and unperturbed belief in himself and the people around him do him well. When so many comedy series are filled with predictable misunderstandings and fallouts, Ted’s forgiveness, conflict resolution and willingness to put himself out for others really restores your faith in humanity. There are some very funny one-liners too, so pour yourself a pint (Oettinger is a great option), and pretend you’re in an English pub watching the footy.

Watch it on: AppleTV