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
- Add the peach, fig and honey to a blender and pulse until smooth. Strain through a sieve and divide the liquid between three glasses.
- Divide the cider and sparkling wine between the glasses and gently stir until combined.
- 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
- Add all the ingredients to a pot over medium-high heat and boil for 4–5 minutes.
- Squeeze all the excess liquid from the tea bags before discarding them. Then, boil again until reduced and a syrup has formed.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.
For the champagne cocktails
- Add 2–3 teaspoons of chamomile syrup to the bottom of each Champagne glass and top up with sparkling wine. Mix gently.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- Place the mint leaves and lime juice in a glass and crush to release the flavour of the mint.
- Add the rum and rhubarb syrup and stir to combine.
- Add the ice and top off with soda water.
To serve
- 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