• You will be ushered straight into the kitchen.
• You will be offered a cocktail before you have a chance to sit down.
• There will be food. Lots and lots of food. Definitely wine. And most definitely dessert. And cocktails. Did I already mention the cocktails?
We occasionally have visitors who claim not to want, or like, cocktails (you know who you are). This is, naturally, very baffling to us, but I have got a couple of recipes up my sleeve for those rare people. These two cocktails can be drunk without any alcohol in mocktail fashion, but they are also quite light even with booze. If you are ever serving cocktails at brunch these are great candidates.
The Elderflower Collins (like any Collins) is definitely a drink for those who don’t like drinking much. It’s very light, very refreshing and can easily be made with either gin or vodka. If you have some St Germain* (and I thoroughly advise you get some if only to make the Red Queen) then add splash but it won’t be a Collins any more if we are being strict about cocktailing.
Cocktails for two: Floradora and Elderflower Collins and a giveaway
Ingredients
- Floradora
- Serves 1
- 2 measures 50ml gin
- 3 fresh raspberries
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp sugar syrup
- chilled ginger beer to top up
- lime wedges and fresh raspberries to garnish
- Elderflower Collins
- Serves 1
- 2 measures 50ml gin or vodka
- 1-2 tbsp elderflower cordial
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp St Germain optional
- chilled soda water to top up
- lemon wedges to garnish
- Method
- 1. In a highball glass stir the gin, cordial, lemon juice, St Germain together with plenty of crushed ice. Top up with soda water and add a couple of thin slices of lemon.
Instructions
- For the Floradora: put the gin, raspberries, sugar syrup and lime juice in your cocktail shaker. Muddle the raspberries with a spoon. Half fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 30 seconds.
- Pour into a highball glass, add fresh ice and top up with ginger beer.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries and a lime wedge.
- For the Elderflower Collins: In a highball glass, stir the gin, cordial, lemon juice, St Germain together with plenty of crushed ice. Top up with soda water and add a couple of thin slices of lemon.
Claire M says
Brambles (fruity with gin)
Emily Knight says
It has to be a Raspberry Mojito for me – so, so good!
ray becker says
John Collins
Pam Greer says
My favorite cocktail is whatever one is in my hand at the moment! I would love it if you would link this up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black!
helen tovell says
White chocolate and raspberry cupcakes are one of my favourite
Sarah S says
Chocolate fudge is my favourite cup cake!
Clare Bluett says
Mojito – yuummmmyy!
Natalie Charman says
Sex on the beach is my favourite cocktail.
Adrian Erwood says
Lime & Jasmine cupcakes are my current fave
Susan Smith says
Pina Colada
laura banks says
long island iced tea
philiboy says
Bucks Fizz all the way
Tash says
I just love an ice cold Mojito……… drool!
Annette Oliver says
Favourite cocktail is a Mojito!
Margaret Abram says
Rum punch
Anonymous says
My favourite cocktail is a Chi-chi. Pineapple, coconut cream and vodka and it's super tasty! – Lucia
Anna Brown says
My favourite is a vanilla cupcake
Suzy says
my favourite cocktail is a mojito 😀
Judiff says
I like an old fashioned, and now I am going to have to try and make an old fashioned cup cake
Kim Neville says
I like Double chocolate cupcakes