Cocktails at Home
Finally! Summer is here and cool drinks can be enjoyed in the fresh air again. It's time to get the cocktail shaker out and sweeten the time with a few home-mixed cocktails.
There's no doubt about it: barbecue season is in full swing. No matter which way we turn, the smell of smoke is in the air and we're bombarded by the sights of a bit too much sunburnt skin.
As much as we are trying to return back to normal, we have also got so used to entertaining at home, so why not spice up your next garden party with a Cocktail Cart! HIRE
GET A PROFESSIONAL IN
If you would prefer to have the Cocktails made for you, then I would highly recommend the Cocktail Maker, they cater for any occasion or event. I thoroughly enjoyed my Passion Fruit Martini on Mother's Day!
A real treat
Otherwise here are some great suggestions curtesy of the BBC good food website
Trialled and tested by yours truly, as per my pics below
Let's embrace Cocktail season !!!
DIY
Passion Fruit Martini
This easy passion fruit cocktail is bursting with zingy flavours and is perfect for celebrating with friends. Top with prosecco for a special tipple.
Ingredients
2 ripe passion fruits (they should have a crinkly appearance), halved
60ml vanilla vodka
30ml passoa
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp sugar syrup
prosecco , to serve
Method
STEP 1Scoop the seeds from one of the passion fruits into the glass of a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, passoa, lime juice and sugar syrup. Add a handful of ice and shake well, strain into 2 martini glasses, top up with prosecco, then add half a passion fruit to each. Serve immediately.
Pina Colada
A tropical blend of rich coconut cream, white rum and tangy pineapple – serve with an umbrella for kitsch appeal
Ingredients
120ml pineapple juice
60ml white rum
60ml coconut cream
wedge of pineapple, to garnish (optional)
Method
STEP 1Pulse all the ingredients along with a handful of ice in a blender until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish as you like.
Classic Margarita
Tequila and triple sec combine in this fabulous short cocktail mixed with lime juice. Garnish the rim of the glass with salt for that extra punch.
Ingredients
ice
50ml tequila reposado
25ml lime juice
20ml triple sec (we used Cointreau)
For the garnish
salt
2 lime wedges
Method
STEP 1Sprinkle a few teaspoons of salt over the surface of a small plate or saucer. Rub one wedge of lime along the rim of a tumbler and then dip it into the salt so that the entire rim is covered.
STEP 2Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the tequila, lime juice and triple sec. Shake until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
STEP 3Strain the mix into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Serve with a wedge of lime.
Bellini
A classy cocktail served in an elegant flute - this simple combination of peach purée and Prosecco makes a great start to any celebration
Ingredients
500ml peach purée or peach nectar
1 bottle prosecco
Method
STEP 1 Put the peach puree in a Champagne flute up to about 1/3 full and slowly top up with Prosecco.
Woo Woo
Mix vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice and fresh lime to make this perfect party cocktail, garnished with a lime wedge (and maybe a tiny umbrella too)
Ingredients
50ml vodka
25ml peach schnapps
100ml cranberry juice
few drops fresh lime juice
ice
wedge of lime
Method
STEP 1Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add the vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice and a few drops of lime juice. Shake really well then strain into a tumbler with extra ice. Garnish with a wedge of lime.
Mojito
Mix this classic cocktail for a party using fresh mint, white rum, sugar, zesty lime and cooling soda water. Play with the quantities to suit your taste.
Ingredients
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp granulated sugar
small handful mint leaves, plus extra sprig to serve
60ml white rum
soda water, to taste
Method
STEP 1Muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go – you can use the end of a rolling pin for this. Pour into a tall glass and add a handful of ice.
STEP 2Pour over the rum, stirring with a long-handled spoon. Top up with soda water, garnish with mint and serve.
Sex on the Beach
Combine vodka with peach schnapps and cranberry juice to make a classic sex on the beach cocktail. Garnish with cocktail cherries and orange slices.
Ingredients
ice
50ml vodka
25ml peach schnapps
2 oranges, juiced, plus 2 slices to garnish
50ml cranberry juice
glacé cherries, to garnish (optional)
Method
STEP 1Fill two tall glasses with ice cubes. Pour the vodka, peach schnapps and fruit juices into a large jug and stir.
STEP 2Divide the mixture between the two glasses and stir gently to combine. Garnish with the cocktail cherries and orange slices.
Easy Bloody Mary
Mix together tomato juice, amontillado sherry, vodka and sherry vinegar to make a bloody mary cocktail. Season to suit with Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce.
Ingredients
small handful ice
200ml tomato juice
50ml vodka
2 tbsp amontillado sherry
1 tsp sherry vinegar , or to taste
pinch celery salt
Worcestershire sauce , to taste
Tabasco , to taste
squeeze of lemon juice
celery sticks and lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
Method
STEP 1Put the ice in a tall glass. Pour over the tomato juice, vodka, amontillado and sherry vinegar. Stir in the celery salt, then season to taste with the Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and lemon juice. Taste again to see if more sherry vinegar is needed.
STEP 2Serve with celery sticks, lemon wedges and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, if you like.
Cosmo
Lipsmackingly sweet and sour, the Cosmopolitan cocktail of vodka, cranberry, orange liqueur and citrus is a good-time in a glass. Perfect for a party
Ingredients
45ml lemon vodka
15ml triple sec
30ml cranberry juice
10ml lime juice
ice
For the garnish
orange zest, or a lime wedge on the rim of the glass.
Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
This slushy cocktail is best made when strawberries are in season and at their ripest. With just four ingredients you can whip up this thirst quencher in 10 minutes.
Ingredients
500g strawberries, hulled
200g ice
100ml rum
juice 1/2 lime
1-2 tbsp sugar syrup, optional
Garnish
2 slices of limes
1 strawberry, halved
2 cocktail sticks
Method
STEP 1Blend the strawberries then push the resulting puree through a sieve to remove some of the seeds. Tip the sieved puree into the blender again and add the ice, rum, 1-2 tbsp sugar syrup depending on how sweet you like your drinks and lime juice. Blend again and divide the mixture between 2 Martini glasses.
STEP 2Thread the lime slices and strawberry halves onto the cocktail sticks and place onto the edge of the glass, serve immediately.
Pimm's
A true taste of summer, serve this fruity punch with fresh mint leaves, cucumber, orange and strawberries.
Ingredients
200ml Pimm's No. 1
600ml lemonade
mint sprigs, sliced cucumber, sliced orange and strawberries, to serve
Method
STEP 1Fill a jug with ice and pour over the Pimm’s and lemonade. Give it a good stir then add the mint, cucumber and fruit.