We've been waiting for so long...and things have changed so much since it all started. We know that going back to normal will take time, in fact, a lot of time, but we can't give up.
Summer season is around the corner and after a very long winter/spring under lockdown, we are so ready for the upcoming gatherings, celebrations and much-delayed catchups. If going to a resto, bar or cafe is becoming complicated; be the rocking star host and make your family and friends day. I share here some gorgeous drink recipes to keep those spirits high!
If nature laughs in flowers, it sweetens in fruits. Little sweet treats to be enjoyed on its own, on a skincare recipe, a smoothie or a cocktail — they always fit wonderfully in any recipe. Jam-Packed with vitamins, valuable nutrients and full of flavour; fruits nectar is definitely the foundation of the divine ambrosia — the famous drink sipped by the gods.
By this time, you must know that my weakness is — naturally — fruit concoctions. I love is the fun of making them and of course enjoying them!
However, you might want to know that alcohol plays an important role in human balance, coordination and thermoregulation meaning that it’s not your best friend on a hot day. Besides, why the driver should not have as much flavour and fun as the rest of the gang?
The good news is we've got now many options like Seedlip drinks for full flavour non-alcoholic punch to our creations.
I have paired my latest 2020 potions in a classic manner (with alcohol) and an alternative using the new super cool Seedlip way… and no, this is not a paid promotion at all, I just found them a really good deal, lil bit costly but you can always find other options to try with. Making cocktails is about creativity so just release yours!
Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Ingredients:
2 Basil, sprigs
1 Lime
1 cup Strawberries, fresh
1 tbsp Honey
Pink Himalayan salt
Ice
1/2 cup white tequila or Seedlip GARDEN 108
45 ml Cointreau (optional just remove for non-alcohol option)
How to make it: Rim two glasses with the salt by running a lime wedge around the edge of the glasses and dip in the pink salt. Fill with ice.
Place the strawberries, tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and honey into a blender. Blend thoroughly on high until the strawberries are pulverized. Finely chop the basil and place into the bottom of a decanter or cocktail shaker. Muddle the basil to release the flavours and oils. Pour the blended margarita ingredients into the decanter along with the muddled basil and stir vigorously to incorporate. Pour into salted, iced glasses and serve immediately.
Twist No 1 of Passionfruit Margaritas
Ingredients
120 ml Seedlip GROVE 42 or white tequila
30 ml orange juice
240 ml passion fruit juice
Orange rind for garnish
1 egg white
coarse salt for rimming the glasses (optional)
How to make it: Rim two glasses with salt by running an orange wedge around the edge of the glasses and dip in the coarse salt. Fill with ice.
Add the Seedlip Grove 42 or tequila, orange juice and to a martini shaker. Add the passion fruit juice, shake the mixture really well. Pour into the two glasses, and top with the egg whites beaten first until foamy, garnish and serve!
Twist No 2 of Passionfruit Margaritas
Ingredients:
120 ml Seedlip GARDEN 108 or tequila
30 ml lime juice
240 ml passion fruit juice
3 big basil leaves
1 egg white
lime wedges for garnish
julienned basil for garnish
coarse salt for rimming the glasses
How to make it: Rim two glasses with salt by running a lime wedge around the edge of the glasses and dip in the coarse salt. Fill with ice.
Add the Seedlip garden 108 or tequila, lime juice and basil leaves to a martini shaker. Muddle the basil well. Add the passion fruit juice and the egg whites. Alternatively beaten the whites first until foamy.
Shake the mixture really well. Pour into the two glasses, garnish and serve!
If you are a wine lover and would like to twist it a lil bit to a more fancy summer drink here are my picks.
White Wine Slushies
Ingredients:
One bottle of your fave white wine
30 ml Solerno Blood Orange liqueur or St Germain Elderflower liqueur or Seedlip SPICE 94
15 ml syrup
How to make it: Pour entire bottle of wine into ice cube trays and freeze overnight.
Add white wine ice cubes, the liqueur, and the syrup to a blender and blend until a slushy consistency is achieved. Pour into glasses, garnish with your fave flowers, and enjoy immediately. A winner for summer nights!
Floral Frosé Slushies
Ingredients
1 chilled bottle of your favourite rosé
50 ml of yuzu syrup
Splash of elderflower liqueur or Seedlip GROVE 42
How to make it: Pour a bottle of rosé into ice cube trays. Freeze for 6-8 hours or overnight. Due to the alcohol content, the rosé will not freeze all the way but will firm up to a slushy consistency.
Pop out the frozen rosé cubes into a large blender, add 50 ml of yuzu syrup, and blend on high until crushed into a perfectly pink snowy concoction. Pour into glasses and top each with a small splash of elderflower liqueur or Seedlip GROVE 42. Garnish with flowers if you’re feeling fancy and enjoy immediately!
Sangria is the perfect drink to make for entertaining. It’s refreshing, fruity and you don’t have to stand in the kitchen making individual cocktails for everyone. You can even make it the night before and I actually recommend doing that. This will give the fruit time to infuse their flavour into the wine.
Peach & Rose Sangria
Ingredients:
1 bottle rosé wine
1/4 cup brandy or Seedlip SPICE 94
1 cup peach juice
3 peaches, pitted and sliced thin
punnet of raspberries, washed
Sparkling water
How to make it: Add the sliced peaches and raspberries to a pitcher. Pour the rosé, brandy or Seedlip SPICE 94 and peach juice over the fruit. Stir to combine. Refrigerate for at least an hour or longer. Pour the sangria along with some of the fruit into glasses. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a fresh peach slice.
Pear and Ginger Sparklers
A sweet and sour pear shrub combined with vodka, lemon juice, honey, and champagne creates a delicious, sweet, and boozy Festive season cocktail!
Ingredients:
Pear and Ginger Shrub
3 ripe pears chopped
1 cup water
½ cup honey
2 tablespoons grated ginger
½ cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar
3 thyme sprigs optional
Pear and Ginger Cocktail
¼ cup of pear ginger shrub
¼ cup of vodka
Juice of half of a lemon
Splash of honey
Bottle of champagne
Pear slices for garnish
How to make it:
Shrub
In a medium saucepan, combine pears, honey, and water. Bring to a soft boil. Lower to medium-low heat and allow to simmer for 25 minutes. The pears will release their juices and soften. Remove from heat.
Add in grated ginger. Cover the pan and allow to sit for another 10-15 minutes so flavours can continue to meld together.
Strain mixture with a sieve to discard pair pieces (pressing pairs into the sieve to extract their remaining juices).
Add mixture back to pan along with apple cider vinegar and bring to a low boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Pour mixture into airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Cocktail
In a shaker, combine all of the ingredients, except champagne. Muddle the ginger for about a minute so it releases its flavour. Add ice and shake vigorously.
Divide the mixture between 2 glasses. Top with champagne until the glass is 3/4s of the way full. Garnish with pear slice. Serve, sip, and enjoy!
Now you have a new bunch of wonderful fruity drinks for the upcoming festive summer season I hope you do enjoy. Cheers to those summer vibes of sipping a cocktail out on the deck!
Glow naturally,
Sonia x