May 13 is World Cocktail Day, which means you are sipping a delicious fruity cocktail (not that we ever need an excuse). Here are three cocktail recipes to try at home, including mocktail alternatives

Fig, peach, and honey sparkling cocktail

Looking for a fruity drink that’s bound to tickle your tastebuds? This beautifully infused peach cocktail will definitely do the trick. Peach, honey, and figs come together to make a fragrant after-work drink. If you don’t like figs, simply add more peaches. 

MAKES 3 // COOKING TIME 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 peach, cored and chopped
  • 1 fig, chopped
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 120 ml apple cider, chilled
  • 360 ml dry sparkling wine, chilled
  • To serve
  • 1 fig, sliced

METHOD

  1. Add the peach, fig and honey to a blender and pulse until smooth. Strain through a sieve and divide the liquid between three glasses.
  2. Divide the cider and sparkling wine between the glasses and gently stir until combined.
  3. Top with slices of fig and serve chilled.

Mocktail Alternative

A great way to turn this into a delicious mocktail is by adding sparkling juice, such as Grapetizer or a sparkling non-alcoholic beverage. 

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner

Photography: Andreas Eiselen // HMimages.co.za

 

Champagne cocktails with chamomile and berries

Nothing says “sophistication” quite like a scrumptious champagne cocktail. This drink is made all the better by adding relaxing chamomile tea for a sweet yet calming cocktail. 

SERVES 2 // COOKING TIME 25 min

INGREDIENTS

  • For the chamomile syrup
  • 3 chamomile tea bags
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • For the champagne cocktails
  • ½ cup chamomile syrup
  • 1 L sparkling wine, chilled
  • ¾ cup berries of your choice

METHOD

For the chamomile syrup

  1. Add all the ingredients to a pot over medium-high heat and boil for 4–5 minutes.
  2. Squeeze all the excess liquid from the tea bags before discarding them. Then, boil again until reduced and a syrup has formed.
  3. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.

For the champagne cocktails

  1. Add 2–3 teaspoons of chamomile syrup to the bottom of each Champagne glass and top up with sparkling wine. Mix gently.
  2. Top with some berries and serve.

Mocktail Alternative: 

  • Create your own “champagne” by using the following ingredients. 
  • 1 ½ Cups chilled apple juice
  • ¼ Cups frozen white grape juice 
  • 2 ¼ Cups sparkling water 

Recipe: Chiara Turilli

Styling: Elizabeth Mackenzie

Photography: Jotham van Tonder // HMimages.co.za

Rhubarb “Mojito” cocktail

Tired of sipping on bland cocktails? This rhubarb infused cocktail will definitely have you crying tears of joy. Fresh with a hint of sweetness, it’s the perfect drink to help you warm yourself this winter.

MAKES 1 // COOKING TIME 25 min

INGREDIENTS

  • For the rhubarb syrup (makes approximately 1 cup)
  • 2 cups chopped rhubarb
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar

For the mojito cocktail

  • 3 mint leaves
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp white rum
  • 1–2 tbsp rhubarb syrup
  • ½ cup crushed ice
  • 200 ml soda water

To serve

  • 1 rhubarb ribbon
  • 1 sprig mint
  • 1 slice lime

METHOD

For the rhubarb syrup

  1. Place the rhubarb, water and sugar in a pot over medium heat. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and the rhubarb becomes soft.
  2. Mash the rhubarb with a potato masher, then strain the mixture through a sieve. Discard the pulp and allow the syrup to cool.

For the mojito cocktail

  1. Place the mint leaves and lime juice in a glass and crush to release the flavour of the mint.
  2. Add the rum and rhubarb syrup and stir to combine.
  3. Add the ice and top off with soda water.

To serve

  1. Garnish the mojito with a ribbon of rhubarb, a sprig of mint and a slice of lime.

Mocktail Alternative

If you’d love to try this without alcohol, simply omit the rum and add a dash more soda water.  

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner

Photography: Andreas Eiselen // HMimages.co.za

Picture: Unsplash

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