ENSURE your New Year’s Eve party goes off with a bang by mixing some yummy drinks for your guests.
Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley’s book 60-Second Cocktails is full of ideas for amazing drinks to make at home in a minute.
Try this homemade Hard Seltzer, made with vodka and fruit preserve[/caption]
You’ll need a jigger measure and bar spoon.
Here, Natasha Harding chooses six of the best from the book . . .
- 60 Second Cocktails by Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley is published by Mitchell Beazley (£12.99).
HOMEMADE HARD SELTZER
YOU NEED:
- 1 part vodka
- ½-1 tsp seedless fruit preserve, such as cherry, apricot, raspberry or strawberry
- 5 parts sparkling water
- A fresh basil leaf or cucumber slice
METHOD: Add the vodka and preserve of your choice to the glass and stir with the bar spoon until you have the consistency of a smoothie.
Add ice and sparkling water and stir vigorously for a few seconds until thoroughly mixed.
Give the basic leaf a gentle slap between your palms to release the aroma, and place on top of the ice to garnish, or just add the cucumber slice.
WICKED WHISKY HIGHBALL
Squeeze the lemon peel over the top of the drink before adding to the glass to garnish[/caption]
YOU NEED:
- 2 parts Scotch whisky – blended works perfectly
- 5 parts sparkling water
- Sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper (optional)
- Thin piece of lemon peel
METHOD: Add ice to the glass and then the whisky, giving a few stirs with the bar spoon to wake up the whisky.
Add the sparkling water and, if you like, sprinkle the cracked black pepper on top of the drink.
Stir again and squeeze the lemon peel over the top of the drink before adding to the glass to garnish.
EASY PEASY PALOMA
Garnish the Easy Peasy Paloma with the grapefruit slice.[/caption]
YOU NEED:
- 1 part silver (blanco) tequila
- Squeeze of fresh lime juice
- 5 parts pink grapefruit soda
- A fresh grapefruit slice – pink grapefruit looks fabulous
METHOD: Add ice to the glass then add the tequila and lime juice and top up with the soda.
Give the drink a quick stir with the bar spoon and garnish with the grapefruit slice.
SPICED RUM & PINEAPPLE FIZZ
This delicious drink is made with spiced rum and pineapple juice[/caption]
YOU NEED:
- 2 parts spiced rum, such as Captain Morgan or Kraken
- 2 parts pineapple juice
- Squeeze of fresh lime juice
- 4 parts sparkling water
- A fresh lime wedge
METHOD: Add the spiced rum, pineapple juice and lime juice to the glass, then add ice.
Stir quickly with the bar spoon, then top up with the sparkling water.
Add the lime wedge to garnish and stir again a few times.
SUPER SONIC
Take your gin & tonic to the next level with these suggestions[/caption]
YOU NEED:
- 2 parts London Dry gin
- 4 parts sparkling water
- 2 parts tonic water
- We love a fresh lime wedge, but equally a fresh pink grapefruit or lemon slice works well.
METHOD: Add ice to the glass, then the gin and give a little stir with the bar spoon.
Carefully add the sparkling water and stir again, then add the tonic water to the top. Garnish with your chosen slice.
