The Best British Spirits for Summer Cocktails

Dani R
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Dani R
The cocktail is the perfect celebratory drink, and a way to make a chilled out garden party feel extra special. Here at Great British Food, we love summer cocktails that use the seasonal ingredients from our garden, such as strawberries and raspberries, and make the most of our country’s amazing artisan spirits.
We asked top bartender Mr Lyan for his cocktail-making tips.
“With your drinks, play to the mood and the setting you want to create. This includes flavours, but also practical serving guidelines,” he said.
“Ice is one of the ingredients that’s often overlooked (you’ll need way more than you think you do), and as always, the best ingredients make life much easier for yourself, so freeze your own, and crack into a tray or tupperware in the freezer. Keeping spirits, mixers and glassware cold will also help lots!”
Considering how important it is to have the best ingredients for your cocktails, we’ve handpicked our favourite artisan spirits and mixers for you, alongside recipes so you can try them out.
Have you ever tried a Moscow Mule? If not, you are in for a treat!! The perfect refreshing cocktail to enjoy this summer and super easy to make.
Ingredients:
50ml Into the Wild Vodka
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
2 handfuls ice
Ginger beer, to taste
2 dashes of Angostura bitters (optional)
Fresh mint sprig and limes, to garnish
Method:
Muddle a lime wedge and mint leaves together in a cocktail shaker.
Pour the wild vodka and lime juice into the cocktail shaker and fill with ice.
Give it a shake to combine the ingredients. Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds.
Pour the wild vodka and lime mixture into a collins glass or copper mug over more fresh ice.
Top with a good ginger beer, then gently stir the ingredients to combine everything.
If using, add the Angostura bitters on top before garnishing with the fresh mint and lime wedges.
Orkney Gin Company have created a stunning new ‘cocktails and perfect serves’ area, with yummy drinks, tried and tested to compliment their delicious award-winning gins and spirits. Find out how they enjoy each lovingly hand-crafted bottle, including their Rhubarb Old Tom gin, Johnsmas gin, Mikkelmas gin, or Scotland’s first Akvavit – Orkney Akvavit. There’s a spirit and a serve there for everyone! (over 18’s only).
From perfectly pink raspberry to zesty and refreshing lime, Pickering’s eclectic new range of summer flavoured gins are sure to tingle your tastebuds. Great British Food readers can enjoy 20% off the full range on their first order! Use code: GreatGin20.
ILoveGin.com members pay just £14 per month to receive a new G&T tasting box every month (usually £19 each). They also get discounts off their entire range of tasting sets and gift products, plus access to competitions to win gin and other gin-fueled members’ perks. GINius! GINspiring! Let the fun beGIN!
Shake it up with a Classic Cocktail! Booths has gathered its top ten favourite cocktail classics for you to enjoy this summer, from Cosmo to Colada and everything in between. Which tipple will you be trying?
OTC Beverages is the taste of the Caribbean in a premium bottle. Products are made from high quality extracts of natural ingredients, with organic sugar for an exquisite taste, and encased in a branded matt/gloss sleeve for that touch of luxury. The drinks taste great on their own or as a mixer with gin, rum or brandy. Please use the coupon ‘OTCCO10’ to get 10% off your mixed box whilst stocks last.
© 2023 Aceville Publications Ltd.