Negroni
A Negroni is the easiest cocktail to make. Three ingredients in equal quantities and you’re ready to sip.
In my opinion a Negroni is the most perfectly balanced drink. It’s bitter enough to wake the tastebuds and then enough orange sweetness to urge many more sips. Though, I’ve happily accepted Negroni riffs from experienced bartenders I prefer not to mess with this classic, at home.
And there is no need. This is the easiest cocktail to put together and hit the spot. Other than orange peel this contains no fresh fruit. So, none of the ingredients vary in taste all that much. If you measure equal quantities the hardest part is avoiding over indulgence. A Negroni packs a punch.
Recipients: Guests that like strong drinks.
Type: Stirred in the glass.
Read MoreWhite Lady Soul
White Lady Soul is citrusy gin rounded out with a dose of pineapple. It is served like a quintessential sophisticated gin cocktail so it can easily slip into your recipe repertoire.
A good friend of Sue’s, Kim runs the theatrical production company, Origin Theatrical. We created this cocktail during the Covid 19 pandemic to sweeten one of the online watch parties Kim organised to keep them socially connected. White Lady Soul is designed to be sipped while watching Dusty, the Dusty Springfield Musical.
We based this recipe on the classic, White Lady drink. Firstly, to make it easier, simple sugar syrup and egg white are replaced by pineapple juice. As a result, you still get a frothy top, but it is slightly less thick than what egg white would achieve. Secondly, we looked at sweetness, which wasn’t straightforward since both triple sec and pineapple juice have this job. And finally, we adjusted the amount of acid via lemon juice.
The result was exactly what we love, a simple, never fail recipe.
Recipients: Guests that love classic and citrus gin cocktails, like a gimlet or tom collins
Type: Shaken and strained
Read MoreCow Face
Cow Face is punchy coffee sipped through a sweet icy cream layer. This century’s response to Irish coffee has arrived.
This is our first creamy cocktail recipe and it’s been a huge hit from the first test.
It works equally well with cow’s milk cream or coconut cream, so choose your preference.
Recipients: Lovers of a cappuccino, a white Russian or Kahlua and milk
Type: Frozen and layered
Read MoreValentine’s Day
VALENTINE’S DAY COCKTAILS I’m going to be opinionated and state that I like Valentine’s Day. I’m aware of the negativity. As a result, I find most of it petty. Anyone who pooh poohs the day because it’s too commercial better not be caught participating in Christmas or Easter. FOMO singles can exclude themselves or have a think about who they love because love is not exclusive to those in relationships, obviously. Anyone arguing about its Christian, martyr worshipping or pagan origins, is missing a point therefore an opportunity. Valentine’s Day is about love. Simples. I’ve always tried to instill in my child the value that we don’t need to be frugal with thinking and love because we’ll never run out of either. This can be a challenge with teenage boys because...
Read MoreChico Byrne
You’ll love this easy chocolate chilli martini. It is luscious, smooth and hot at the same time. Clear liquid hides an intense chocolate surprise. With only three main ingredients you can whip these up to impress your friends in bulk and at speed.
Our spectacularly simple Chico Byrne is named for our friend, Sarah Byrne, because during testing the chocolate chilli martini was her favourite, by far.
Chico Byrne is a chocolate cocktail that is dairy free so your vegan friends will be happy, too.
Recipients: People who love chocolate, chilli and sweet, flavoured martinis. Chocolate lovers who are dairy free.
Read MorePRINT & SEND
