• 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.
Linda Curtis says
i really enjoy a Black Russian
Barbara Handley says
Pino Colado
Jayne Kelsall says
I don't drink a lot of alcohol but I do adore Chocolate cupcakes 🙂
Abbie M says
Red velvet cupcake and a Cosmopolitan!
cassie says
My favourite cocktail is blue lagoon 🙂
Diana S says
My favourite cupcake is simple Vanilla one, yum 🙂
Jayne B says
It's hard to beat lychinis although a good appletini might come close. Having said that, I did have a very yummy gin and tonic at a curry house once where they added a cinnamon stick and spices. Hmm…
Charmian Filewood says
Favourite cocktail would be Lynchberg Lemonade 🙂
Eloise says
I love frozen strawberry daiquiri and mojitos
Adrian Bold says
Long Island Ice Tea for me – refreshing!
Gillian Hutchison says
French Martini
Donna caldwell says
I love strawberry daiquiris
Pam Francis Gregory says
A Blackberry Bramble
Caroline Signey says
My fave cocktail is a mojito
WeeWillieWilkie says
My favourite cocktail is a Gin Sling.
Victoria Jane Middleton says
I love making Marble Cupcakes
Chris Fletcher says
I love a Rusty Nail
Kirsti Peters says
I love an Old Fashioned
Alison says
Love cocktails. Tequilla sunrise is mine
Unknown says
Pina Colardo