At last: summer seems to have found its way to us. These days, the temperatures are rising, daylight stretches past 9 pm, and we’re finding ourselves more and more in need of icy cold refreshment. Enter summer spritzers.
Make the most of the long-awaited weather and celebrate the Sipsmith way: throw a garden party, complete with a number of refreshing summer spritzers. Whether you’re welcoming dozens of guests or will have just a few friends coming round, string up the outdoor fairy lights, whip up some hors d’oeuvres (a few of our favourite summery nibbles can be found here), and then focus your attention on the drinks. You won’t want anyone to be left thirsty, after all.
Sipsmith Summer Cup Carafe
For something especially seasonal, look no further than Sipsmith Summer Cup – it’s right there in the name, after all. Crisp and dry and perfect for the parched, it’s a bliss-inducing blend of gin with Earl Grey tea, lemon verbena, and cucumber. If you’re planning a big party, opt for a carafe serve in lieu of individual glasses. To begin, fill your carafe (which should equal four servings) with very cold ice to the shoulder. Add 140 ml of Summer Cup. Top up with a solid splash of lemonade up to the neck and garnish with at least four lemon slices. Then you’re ready to decant into your waiting wine glasses!
Classic Tom Collins
For more summer spritzers inspiration, turn to a classic recipe that’s also a breeze to blend. A Tom Collins is sour and sweet, bubbly and fresh: perfect for days when the sun’s beating down. To begin, fill a highball glass with ice. Then, mix in 50 ml of London Dry Gin, 25 ml of simple syrup, and the juice of two lemon wedges. Stir to blend and top with soda water; stir again and garnish with a lemon slice. The result is superbly drinkable, and certain to go down a treat.
London Cup Negroni
If you’re seeking a short serve in lieu of something tall and fizzy, turn to the Negroni. This Italian drink is the cocktail of the moment, though we like to add a bit of a twist to the classic gin, vermouth, and Campari concoction by way of a splash of London Cup. To craft this one, find yourself an ice-filled rocks glass and add 10 ml of London Dry Gin, 10 ml of London Cup, 10 ml of sweet vermouth, and 5 ml of Campari. Stir until well chilled and garnish with either an orange half-slice, wedge, or a twist. Given this drink’s bitter edge, you’ll want to serve this with something salty and moreish to snack on.
Sloe Charlie Chaplin
Lastly, we think no good garden party is complete without Charlie Chaplin. No, not the actor, but the classic cocktail that shares his name. This one is ideal for those who like their drinks fruit-forward (but still not oversweet), and works best for smaller soirees. To begin, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 25 ml of Sipsmith Sloe Gin, 25 ml of apricot brandy, and 25 ml of fresh lemon juice. Shake until well chilled and strain into a pre-chilled Martini glass.
Feature image © jodiechapman/iStock/Thinkstock
