To get you started, we feature a number of alcohol and alcohol-free cocktails.
THE ALCOHOL ZONE
MINT JULEP
3 tbsp sugar syrup
24 mint leaves, torn plus mint sprigs
1 tsp Angostura Bitters (optional)
375ml bourbon
ice cubes
Muddle the sugar syrup in a tall glass with the mint leaves and bitters. Stir in the bourbon. Pack a chilled pitcher with ice and mint sprigs then strain in the julep. Alternatively, pack tall glasses with ice, then pour the julep over it. Serves four. (From Cooler and Summer Cocktails, Ryland, Peters and Small £8.99 in UK)
RUM RUNNER
25ml white rum
25ml dark rum
juice of half lime
15ml sugar syrup
150ml fresh pineapple juice
Shake all the ingredients over ice in a shaker then strain into a highball glass filled with crushed ice. (From Sunshine Cocktails, Ryland, Peters and Small £8.99 in UK)
COSMOPOLITAN NO 2
2 shots of vodka
0.75 shot triple sec
1.25 shot cranberry juice
0.25 shot freshly squeezed lime juice
This is a simple version of one of the most popular cocktails. A shot is what unit of measure you want. The other ingredients are proportional. Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
The Ketel One website (www.ketelone.com) offers this simple version of: THE ULTIMATE MARTINI
3oz of vodka
2 olives
ice
Shake and serve with olives.
THE ALCOHOL-FREE ZONE
REAL LEMONADE
1 litre water
1.5 tbsp lemon juice
3-4 tbsp sugar
pinch of salt
ice cubes
mint leaves
a few slices of lemon
Boil the sugar and water for two minutes. Chill and add the lemon juice, then serve in a frosted glass pitcher with ice and mint and a few thin lemon slices floating on top. Serves: 2-4
CRANBERRY COOLER
Crushed ice
250 ml cranberry juice
250 ml orange juice
sparkling mineral water
a twist of orange peel to serve
Fill a jug with ice, pour over the cranberry and orange juice, and stir well. Top up with sparkling mineral water. Serves: 1-2. (Both from Coolers and Summer Cocktails)