Drink

Here are a selection of some of my favourite cocktails. You should definitely give them a try!

 

Apple Cider Mojito

With apples in abundance this time of year, what better way to make use of them, than with an apple cider mojito!

What you will need:

• 125ml apple cider
• 15ml Cinnamon & star anise Simple Syrup (ingredients & recipe below)
• 20ml apple brandy
• 35ml white rum
• Diced apples
• Mint leaves
• Cinnamon sticks

 

Method for one glass:

• Mix cider, cinnamon & star anise simple syrup, apple brandy and rum in a mixing glass and stir well.
• In a serving glasses, muddle as much or as little mint as you desire, fill glass with crushed ice.
• Throw in a small handful of diced apples with the skin on and then add your cider mixture and stir.
• Garnish with an apple slice, cinnamon stick and extra mint leaves.

 

Prepare cinnamon & star anise Simple Syrup

Place ¼ cup sugar, just over ¼ cup water and half cinnamon stick & 1 star anise in a small pot; bring to a boil and then turn off the heat and allow the mixture to sit and cool to room temperature. Keep in an air tight container in the fridge until you need to use it.

 

Espresso Rum’tini

For those lovers of the espresso martini and rum!

What you will need:

• White rum, nothing spiced or flavoured,
• Kahlua coffee liqueur,
• Vanilla syrup,
• coffee,

 

Method for one glass:

Add the following into a shaker with cubed ice;

50ml of white rum, 25ml of Kahlua, 15ml of vanilla syrup and 75ml of coffee. Shake hard and strain into a martini or coupe glass. You should get a nice thick foam from the coffee to which you can garnish with come coffee beans if you have them!

 

 

No.3 Daiquiri

A slight twist on a classic daiquiri, light refreshing and strong!

What you will need:

• White rum. I have used Plantation 3 star rum here,
• Luxardo maraschino liqueur
• limes
• sugar syrup

 

Method for one glass:

Add the following into a shaker filled with cubed ice;

60ml Plantation 3 star rum, 1.5 barspoons of Luxardo maraschino liqueur, 15ml of fresh lime (around half a fresh lime), 15ml of sugar syrup.

Shake hard and double strain into a martini glass or champagne coupe.

 

 

Summer G&T’s

Here is a really simple summery G&T to accompany those BBQs!

What you will need:

– Gin! I will let you decide, but for this one try not to pick one thats too heavy on the spices and go with something a little lighter and more floral,

– Lamb & Watt hibiscus tonic water,

– Frozen mixed berries,

– Mint,

– Grapefruit.

 

Method for one glass:

Nothing hard here at all! use a nice big wine or spritz glass if you have one, throw in a hand full of frozen berries. I have used these instead of I’ve, but feel free to add ice too if you wish. Slap a few mint leaves to wake them up and release some of its oils and throw them in along with a nice thick wedge of pink grapefruit. Add a good sized double gin, topped up with a bottle of Lamb & Watt hibiscus tonic water. So tasty!

 

 

Spiced Banana Pina Colada

So, were having a scorching start to the summer so far and for me that means cocktails in the sun! Who doesn’t like a good pina colada?! This a real simple one to make at home too, and will definitely impress your guests.
What will you need:

• Blender of some type, I personally use a nutribullet for all my blended cocktails.
• measuring jig (ml),
• Sailor Jerry spiced rum and Old J spiced rum. (If you can’t get hold of these maybe go for Captain Morgans spiced. ) Both sailor Jerry and Old J have vanilla and lime essence running through them already.
• Bananas… I know these aren’t in a standard recipe, but who likes just standard!
• Nutmeg, whole if you want to grate it, ground if you don’t!
• Coconut milk,
• Pineapple juice,
• Fresh lime,
• Ice and a chilled glass.

 

Method for one glass:

Put a small scoop of ice (around 6 cubes) into your blender. Next add the juice of half a fresh lime, half of a ripe banana, 50ml of coconut milk, 25ml of Old J rum, 25ml Sailor Jerry rum, 100ml of pineapple juice. Blitz all this together until the ice and the banana has broken down.

I personally do not put ice in my glass as the cocktail will already have a slight frozen feel to it, hence why i just have a chilled glass. As you pour you mix into the glass you should have a nice foamy top which is perfect for where we sprinkle some nut meg onto. Garnish with whatever you like! go sophisticated with a pineapple leaf or mint sprig, or go classic with a fresh pineapple wedge and cherry, have fun with it!

 

 

Plantation Presidente

Now this is a grown ups cocktails, and goes down a treat! Strong but very easy to drink and a little aromatic.

What you will need:

• Plantation 3 star rum. (You can use other white rums too, but this one is very nice!)
• Dry vermouth
• cointreau or triple sec
• sugar syrup
• pomegranate molasses
• lemons

 

Method for one glass: 

Add the following into a mixing glass with plenty of cubed ice;

45ml plantation 3 star rum, 45ml dry vermouth, 20ml cointreau, 1 barspoon of grenadine, 1 barspoon of pomegranate molasses, half a juiced lemon.

stir gently until the drink is icy cold, a good couple of minutes should do. strain into champagne coupe glasses and use some lemon peel as garnish.

 

El Fuego La Hechicera

Personally, theres only one thing better than Gin, and thats Rum! Heres a very simple twist on a Rum and ginger ale.

 

What you will need:

• cocktail shaker & strainer,
• Fresh ginger,
• Fresh chilli peppers,
• Good quality rum. Ive gone for La Hechicer, aged in white oak barrels, gives a tobacco and roasted coffee note. (Definitely give this rum a try),
• Chilled glass and ice,
• Ginger ale.

 

Method for one glass:

Fill your shaker with ice, most important. cut a chilli in half and put the bottom part in the shaker. Put one whole slice of ginger in too with a double shot of your rum. Shake vigorously! strain over ice and top up with ginger ale. Garnish with chilli and ginger! Hot and tasty!

Cheers, Billy