• 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.
Kate Knight says
a cosmopolitan is my fav
Lucy Carter says
Mojitos are my favourite
joanne liddement says
I love a Marguerite cocktail
Anonymous says
Fav cocktail Pina Colada. Fav cupcake maybe carrot or chocolate or cherry! (@PeanutHog)
Denise C says
Black Russian is my favourite cocktail
ldavis061212 says
My favorite cupcake would be a red velvet cupcake xx
olivia280177 says
A fresh peach Belini
Ruth_Marianna says
My favourite cocktail is a Strawberry mojito
Lynsey Buchanan says
I love a strawberry daiquiri
Anonymous says
Strawberry mojito
Trevor Linvell
Jo Hutchinson says
I love Pina Colada
Lauren Old says
I like Pina Coladas best!
Elspeth MacMillan says
Sex on the beach is my favourite cocktail but I loveeeeeeeeeeeee cupcakes too
Christina Brown says
Mint Julep 🙂
madminx1 says
I love sultana cupcakes
Emma Rawlinson says
Cocktail – anything fruity, especially strawberry or mango based. Favourite cupcake has to be chocolate chip 🙂
Victoria Prince says
My favourite cupcake is a chocolate one with lots of a fudgey gooey icing on top 🙂
Claire Stewart says
Pina colada is my favourite cocktail
Angie Hoggett says
my fave drink is a Mai Tai
Emily Carter-Dunn says
I LOVE Pina Colada