For those of us not heading off on a summer vacation, there are other ways in which to get into the holiday spirit. Summer dresses, ice cream, evening strolls and late night dancing can all be enjoyed in our hometowns, giving a slice of the holiday life to those of us not actually on one. Better still? A cocktail. Nothing transports quite like the taste of an exotic drink more usually associated with slightly more luxurious climbs than your favourite after work cocktail bar. Here are four cocktails that might take you where an aeroplane hasn’t this summer. Might we suggest you kick your heels off and enjoy!
The Negroni
Care for a slice of the Amalfi life? Sip on a Negroni. This classic Italian cocktail made with that classic Italian Aperitif Campari is the stuff of movie stars, dramatic coastal drives and a lot of living la Dolce Vita.
Ingredients:
1 part Beefeater Gin
1 part Martini Rosso
1 part Campari
Combine all ingredients over ice in a rocks glass and stir. Garnish with an orange slice.
The Caipirinha
For those not currently strutting their stuff along Ipanema beach, a Caipirinha should do the mental trick for you – itsby bitsy bikini, optional.
Ingredients:
1 lime
1 tablespoon fine sugar
2 ounces Cachaça
Crushed ice
Cut up a lime into 8 wedges. Muddle the wedges in a rocks glass with sugar. Add Cachaça and top with ice. Stir and serve.
The Southside
Not heading out to Southampton? Then sip on a Southside in the city for a slice of that East Coast American holiday vibe
Ingredients:
1 oz simple sugar syrup
3/4 ozfresh lime juice
3 – 4 oz soda water
2 mint sprigs
2 pieces limes
Muddle one sprig of mint with the lime pieces, lime juice, and simple syrup in the bottom of a bar glass. Add gin and shake well. Pour into a goblet over crushed ice and stir until the outer-glass frosts. Top with soda water, garnish with remaining sprig of mint, and serve.
The Pina Colada
Not slipping your toes into some Caribbean sand or kicking back at Parrot Cay? Then sip on a Pina Colada to give you the island feel without actually having to go there.
Ingredients:
Ice cubes
1/2 cup rum
1/2 cup coconut cream
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup pineapple chunks
Sliced pineapple, for garnish
Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Fill blender halfway with ice cubes. Add rum, coconut cream, coconut milk and pineapple chunks. Puree. Serve, garnished with a slice of pineapple and maraschino cherry, if desired – and (of course,) an umbrella
The Kir Royale
For a slice of French chic, a Kir Royale is as good as it gets. Designed to be sipped before a delicious steak frites lunch and whilst wearing an Eres swimsuit, it’s the Riviera in a glass – with bubbles.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons Chambord
1/4 cup fresh raspberries
1 bottle French Champagne, chilled
Place 4 Champagne flutes in the freezer for 15 minutes. Remove and add 1 tablespoon of the Chambord to each flute and a few raspberries. Fill each flute to the top with Champagne and serve immediately.
The Lychee Martini
Transport yourself straight to the exotic beaches of SouthEast Asia with a Lychee martini, a drink that speaks of sunsets and fabulous hotel bars.
Ingredients:
Ice cubes
6 ounces vodka
4 ounces lychee juice
Splash vermouth
2 lychees, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add vodka, lychee juice and vermouth. Shake until chilled. Pour into 2 martini glasses and garnish with lychees.
Enjoy! x