Enjoy the fresh flavours of spring in a cocktail glass
Raise a toast to longer days and warmer weather with something a little fancy, says Sam Wylie-Harris.
It’s the time of year to let ingredients speak for themselves – and showcase how some of the biggest hitters in the spirit world have been inspired by the countryside coming into bloom, to create exquisitely presented drinks.
From sweet and sour to light, fresh and simple, and cocktails with undeniable depth and flavour to muddle and build on (and tweak to suit your taste), here are some fun, easy flavours to celebrate spring...
CIROC in Bloom Spritz
A fragrant mix of citrus and summer berries blended with CIROC Vodka makes this a fruity and refreshing concoction.
Ingredients
50ml CIROC Vodka
15ml lime juice
15ml elderflower cordial
15ml grapefruit juice
15ml strawberry puree
Soda water to top.
Method
Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the ingredients, shake vigorously and strain into a long stem wine glass.
Top with soda and garnish with a cucumber ribbon, strawberry slices and lemon thyme.
Grander Blackberry Mojito
Nicely tart with a fresh minty tang, this slight twist on a classic mojito is made with Grander Rum Aged 8 Years, adding just the right amount of dark-fruit sweetness to complement the background rum notes. A long drink, perfect for sipping during those fresh spring evenings.
Ingredients
50ml Grander Rum 8-year-old
25ml soda water, 20ml freshly squeezed lime juice
10-15ml pure cane syrup
8 fresh blackberries
8 fresh mint leaves
Method
First, muddle blackberries, mint, lime juice and pure cane syrup in a cocktail shaker, then add rum and ice.
Shake vigorously and strain into a collin’s glass with crushed ice, then top with club soda.
Garnish with blackberry, mint sprig and lime wedge.
