So you’ve enjoyed some of the award winning vinos on our extensive wine list, 5 O’Clock is here and you need something a little more fun with your charcuterie board.
Whether it’s the ultimate summertime classic, a finger-stirred Negroni, or an easy peasy gin and tonic, here are a few cocktail recipes that are simple and perfect for your summer vacay with us at Spicers Retreats.
Martini
Contemporary drinkers are accustomed to a Martini being made of just two components, gin and vermouth. But early recipes of the drink called for a third, orange bitters. The addition brings added depth to the cocktail.
- 60 ml gin
- 22 ml dry vermouth
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Combine ingredients in mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe. Express a lemon twist over the drink and drop into the glass.
Manhattan
Either bourbon or rye will work in this classic cocktail, which dates from the 1880s, but rye contributes a welcome level of spice.
- 60 ml rye whiskey
- 30 ml sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes bitters
Combine ingredients in mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with brandied cherry.
Negroni
The Negroni is sometimes served “up,” but serving it on the rocks allows the intense flavours of the drink to nicely mellow and integrate over time.
- 30 ml gin
- 30 ml sweet vermouth
- 30 ml Campari
Combine ingredients in rocks glass over one large piece of ice. Stir until chilled, about 30 seconds. Express an orange twist over the drink and drop into the glass.
Mojito
Mojitos have definitely risen in popularity recently and it’s easy to see why!
- Half a lime (cut into 4 pieces)
- 5 fresh mint leaves
- Tablespoon of sugar
- 50 ml rum
- Soda water and some strawberries if you feel like it.
Put the lime, mint leaves and sugar into a glass and mash them together with any utensil you can find (the handle of a plastic utensil like a spatula can work). Add the rum, top with soda water and stir. For an extra taste burst add a small handful of strawberry’s or raspberry’s at the start, yum!
Long Island Ice Tea
Perhaps one of the most alcoholic cocktails out there, so take great care with this one, but it does taste really good!
- 25 ml rum
- 25 ml vodka
- 25 ml gin
- 25 ml tequila
- 50 ml lime juice
- Coke
Literally chuck all the alcoholic ingredients and the lime together and give it a proper mix around. Pour in a glass over ice and top up with Coke.
Vodka Sunset
Zingy, refreshing and a pretty cool colour to boot – we’ve got to confess, we’re a little bit addicted to this one
- 50 ml vodka
- orange juice
- 25 ml raspberry cordial
Shake up the orange juice and the vodka, pour it in a glass over ice and drop in the cordial, letting it sink to the bottom. Like a sunset.
Lemon Drop
Everyone needs a bit of lemon in their life once in a while. Who knows, this might even count towards your five a day?
- 50 ml vodka
- 50 ml lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar and
- lemonade.
Once again, it all gets shaken up apart from the lemonade; just use that to top up your glass once you’ve poured it in!
Gin and Tonic
The best gin and tonic is made with a good gin, especially those with a slight citrus flavour and a great blend of botanicals.
- 60 ml gin
- 150 ml tonic water
- lime wedge
As simple as you can get. Put all the ingredients in the glass with ice and lime and there you have it!
