The COCKTAIL ABC

Well into summer now, and cocktails are a big part of it. Preferably on a white beach, under a palm tree of course but hey we don’t always get what we want. Today 26 letters of the most delicious summer drinks there are. From G for Gin & Tonic (naturally) to the Z for Zombie. Here we go.

To be had on any Italian terrace. A bitter-sweet liqueur with prosecco and topped off with sparkling water. Mostly enjoyed as an aperitif.

Apparently the best medicine for a hangover. Tomato juice and Vodka. Lots of Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper. Add a stick of celery, delicious.

If I mention Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha, I’m talking about a Cosmopoliton. No cocktail menu without it.

White rum, syrup and lemon juice. Most often mixed with fruit, which gives the colour. The most popular is the strawberry daiquiri. I love it most when it’s frozen, with tons of crushed ice.

Anything with Elderflower is delish. It’s from the honey-like blossoms of the elderberry bush. Good with Gin, lemon juice and sparkling water. Throw into a tall glass, add ice and drink.

Chic in a tall glass at a beautiful hotel bar, just before dinner. Gin, raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. Sigh.

Probably the hippest drink of the moment. Available in all flavours, colours and sizes. Even the tonic is uber important. No ordinary Schweppes allowed here, it has to be Fever Tree. We haven’t even started on the Gin. Gordon’s is out. Hendricks is in. And with a slice of cucumber please.

Mixed drinks. Too. Many. Cocktails.

Whiskey, brown bastard sugar, strong espresso and softly beaten cream (no sugar). It’s like a little bomb, but popular for after dinner.

Don’t really need to say anything here. Ice-cold Jaegermeister (from the freezer) in a shot glass. Head back and down the hatch. Brrrrr.

Champagne, my favourite. A tiny layer of Crème de Cassis lining the bottom of the glass, topped up with the best bubbly.

The Balón 43 of Licor43. Easy to make and a delicious summer drink. Licor43, lemon juice, soda and orange juice. Top up with scoops of ice.

Who doesn’t know it? A real art to make a good one though. I’ve had far too many pretend-mojitos. I’d stick to ordering one at a bar with a brilliant shaker-boy behind it.

See H.

One of the many variations of the martini cocktail.

Bring in a bit of the caribbean with a Pina Colada. White rum, coconut milk, cream and pineapple juice. You’ll need to run an extra lap the next day though. In the tropics they drink it out of a coconut through a straw. Can I go, now?

This is a treat. Brandy, cherry liqueur and vodka.

Remember this? Almost eight years ago for me. The cocktail that tastes just like the Rocket-lolly. Fanta with Bacardi Razz.

This is a winner with the ladies. No shaker needed. Cranberry juice, Vodka, orange juice, peach liqueur and ice. Everything flip flop in a glass.

A sunrise in a glass. Tequila, orange juice and lemon juice mixed in a glass. Trickle grenadine slowly into the drink.

This is fabulous. A bit of work, but you’ll be surprised at how delicious it is. Gin, fresh strawberries, basil, lemon juice, lime juice, a few drops of agave syrup and ice blocks. Crush the strawberries with basil in a cocktail shaker, add the other ingredients and shake. Strain into a martini glass (without the ice).

The Vodka and soda, also know as the model-drink. I’m a huge fan. Vodka has fewer calories and sugar (and delicious), the soda water dilutes it further. Watch out though, it gets you very drunk because you hardly taste the alcohol, though all the soda water tames the hangover.

Perhaps more of a man’s drink, but you can make me very happy with one. With lots of crushed ice please, no blocks. Take a good whiskey, sugar syrup, lemon juice and egg white. Shake together and strain into a whiskey glass with crushed ice.

Champagne. That’s it. Nothing else needed.

Made for enjoying but also made for crying. Limoncello, gin, lemon juice, 7-up and mint. Oh so yummy, but a guaranteed hangover. You know what to have the next day right? See B.

Closing off with a mega strong, lovely fruit cocktail. More for the men I’d say, cause they can usually handle higher doses of alcohol. Lots of tasty things in this one. Check out the recipe.