Summer Heat
Summer brings many things. Sunshine, warmth, holidays and loads of seasonal fruit. On a warm sunny day there is nothing better than the pop of a cork or the hiss of a well chilled soda and ice clinking in a glass. Summer says sit back and relax. Watch the Australian Open, turn on the BBQ, go to the beach, swim surf read a book. In summer it is essential that with these activities the drinks are icy cold. From a beer to a booozy mixed drink or a refreshing soda, the prefect drink must be ice cold!
Reimagining Classic Cocktails
When I started imaging how to flavour up my gin and tonic with rosemary (which by the way is the perfect afternoon sip), I knew that capturing natures flavours into simple syrups was the way (my path). I chose to draw on the flavours from my childhood when life was simple and fun. Watch a toddler explore the world around them. They are captivated, mesmorized, delighted and fully in the moment. To discover new things that capture your imagination is the height of enjoyment for both young and old. As a scientist I am continually tinkering with cocktail recipes blending familiar with new flavours. Mixing cocktails has been a fun adventure for my taste buds.
Summer Flavours
I can so easily recall food and flavours associated with pivotal moments in my life. From a frothy creamy soda spiders in summer to the bitter negroni after my husband walked out. The taste of homemade lemon curd spread across my toast to the smell of a lavender pillow in my top draw. Of biting into a ripe apricot plucked straight from the tree, sipping earl grey tea or devouring a spicy specula biscuit. Nothing beats the taste of sweet sticky raspberry topping poured generously over a bowl of icecream. Memories are triggered by smell and taste. Flavour has been my mantra! I have given myself over completely to the persuit of capturing the essence of botanical flavours that elevate gin cocktails!
Summer Sparklers
When selecting the cocktails, mocktails and sodas as summer sparklers it was important to feature seasonal fruit and herbs. Ripe berries and lucious tropical fruits take centre stage as both a flavour note and garnish. Mint makes the perfect green foil to any fruit garnish and features regularly in summer drinks. We are so lucky to live in Australia where we breathe clean air, drink pure unadulterated water and have access to ripe berries, zesty citrus, lush herbs and sweetly fragranced flowers.
Ode to Summer
From aftenoon drinks to zesty sundowners there is a drink to highlight the joys of summer, celebrate the abundance of nature, relax after the heat of the day has passed. The following summer sparkler recipes have been selected for their bright colours, tangy acidity, creamy froth or delicate aromas. Drinks that sparkle in your glass. Ingredients should be easy to find in your local grocery store. Make sure you have plenty of ice!
Beat the Heat
Recipe# 1: Purple Haze (delicate & balanced)
Ingredients: Limoncello, Creme de Violet, Lemon Juice, Lavender Simple syrup, Pebble Ice
Recipe# 2 Raspberry Rumble (fruity)
Ingredients: Vanilla Vodka, Lime Juice, Hibiscus Simple Syrup, Creme de Framboise, Raspberries, Crushed Ice
Recipe#3 Pineapple Rum Fizz (refreshing)
Ingredients: Rum, Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice, Thyme Simple Syrup, Soda water, Ice.
Recipe#4: Orange Espresso (bitter sweet)
Ingredients: Double Shot Espresso, Orange Slice, Bitter Orange Syrup, Tonic Water
Recipe 5: Peach Gin Smash (fruity)
Ingresdients: Gin, Peach Schnapps, Lemon Juice, Rosemary Syrup, Ice. Peach, Mint
Recipe 6: Pinapple Daiquiri (fruity)
Ingresdients: Rum, Cointreau, Pinapple peices. Lime Juice, Rosemary Syrup, Ice
Recipe 7: Passionfruit Nojito (refreshing)
Ingredients: Passionfruit Simple Syrup, Passionfruit, Mint, Lime Juice, Soda, Ice
Recipes and reels to be posted in our socials