The A-List: Our Summer Cocktail List

07 Oct The A-List: Our Summer Cocktail List

The weather’s getting warmer, and we’re ready to sit back and sip cocktails. Its 5 o’clock somewhere right?

And if you aren’t keen on making your own cocktails, pop down to some of our favourite bars:

• The Lab- We suggest the limited edition Wine Pop made up of yummy peach and vodka in a glass of sparkling wine (what more could you want?)
• Bedford Liquor & Soda- Hawaiian time is our go to here, and not just because it’s pretty
• MR TOMS- Amazing list of cocktails perfect for any occasion
• 46 & York- One word: Delicious

Here’s our list for easy to make summer cocktails:

Raspberry Mojito’s

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup raspberry puree
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 lime, sliced in wedges
• 4 ounces white rum
• 4 ounces chilled club soda
• Raspberry Puree, makes 2 cups
• ½ cup raspberries
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• pinch of salt
• ice cubes
• mint leaves and fresh raspberries for garnish

DIRECTIONS

For the Raspberry Puree:

In a small pan, add the Raspberries, water, sugar and salt. Cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Add to the jar of a blender and puree until smooth. Chill. (You can strain the seeds if desired).

For the Mojito:

In the bottom of a heavy drinking glass, combine the mint and lime wedges, using a muddler to smash them all together and release some of the mint. Add ice cubes, the raspberry puree, rum and club soda and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

More info: http://heatherchristo.com/2015/09/09/raspberry-mojitos/

Tequila Sunrise Mimosa

INGREDIENTS

• 30 ml tequila
• Prosecco or champagne, chilled
• Orange juice (I like Simply Orange Mango)
• Splash of grenadine

DIRECTIONS

1. For each rink, pour 30ml tequila into a champagne flute.
2. Fill flute about halfway with prosecco/champagne.
3. Add orange juice, filling the flute until it’s mostly full
4. Top with a splash of grenadine.

More info: http://www.justputzing.com/2015/04/tequila-sunrise-mimosas.html

Mango and Blackberry Vodka Cooler

INGREDIENTS

• For the Mango Simple Syrup:
• 3 small ripe mangos, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 8-10 leaves of fresh mint, plus more to use as garnish
• For the Vodka Cooler:
• 4 shots of Vodka
• 8-10 fresh blackberries
• 1 can of sparkling water/club soda
• Crushed ice

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the slices of mango in a large glass (or jar). Muddle them until they are thoroughly crushed. Alternatively, you can puree them in a food processor or blender.
2. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until the sugar is dissolved. Off the heat, add in the muddled mango and mint leaves and let the mixture cool for 10-15 minutes. Strain the syrup into a pitcher and discard the solids. Let it cool completely before using.
3. Fill four glasses with crushed ice. Divide the mango simple syrup in between glasses. Pour 1 shot of Vodka in each glass. Top them off with club soda. Garnish them with fresh mint leaves and 2-3 blackberries for each glass.

More info: http://www.foolproofliving.com/mango-and-blackberry-vodka-cooler/

Classic Champagne Cocktail

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

• 1 sugar cube
• 2 dashes of angostura bitters
• 150ml Akarua BRUT NV
• Lemon twist for garnish

DIRECTION

1. Place cube of sugar into champagne glass
2. Splash a couple of dashes of bitters over the cube
3. Fill glass with Akarua BRUT NV
4. Garnish with a twist of lemon

Pina Colada Perfection

INGREDIENTS

• 240ml Dark rum
• 240ml Pineapple Juice
• 60ml Fresh orange juice
• 30ml Fresh lime juice
• 1 cup Cubed pineapple
• 240ml Coconut milk
• 120ml Heavy Cream
• 90ml Demerara simple syrup

DIRECTIONS

1. Pour all ingredients into a blender jar and blend thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
2. Chill 4 glasses, remove from fridge and fill with crushed ice. Stir cocktail and pour into the glasses.
3. Garnish with the cherry, pineapple wedge and lime wedge.

More info: http://www.creative-culinary.com/pina-colada-classic-cocktail/

Cucumber & Lime Margarita

INGREDIENTS

• Cucumber Juice
• 2 cucumbers, peeled, makes roughly 1.5 cups of juice
• Cucumber Lime Margarita
• 50ml ounces silver tequila
• 50ml ounces fresh lime juice (usually half a lime)
• 90ml cucumber juice
• lime and cucumber wedges for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Cucumber juice: Juice the peeled cucumbers in your juicer or blender. If using a blender, add the cucumber and blend for about 30-45 seconds until it looks like thick juice. Separate the pulp from the juice by setting a fine mesh strainer over a bowl or large measuring cup. Gently push on the pulp using a wooden spoon or spatula. There will be enough cucumber juice to make 4 margaritas.
2. Margarita: In an 8 ounce glass filled with ice, add the tequila, lime juice and cucumber juice. Stir to combine. Garnish with a wedge of cucumber and lime.

More info: http://www.tasteslovely.com/refreshing-cucumber-lime-margaritas/