7 Delicious Cocktails to Celebrate this Weekday Sunshine
Soak up the sunny rays this week, with one of these refreshing cocktails to sip and enjoy. Whether it’s a citrus cocktail like a Renais Gin Mandarin Fizz or a low-alcohol alternative such as the Cotswolds Raspberry & Elderflower Cooler, there is something to suit everyone!
Renais Gin
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Renais Gin is founded by Alex Watson and his sister Emma. It is a grape spirit gin, inspired by childhood trips to Alex and Emma’s family vineyard, Domaine Watson, in Northern France which their father has operated for more than 30 years. Renais Gin is made from upcycled wine pressed grapes and infused with rare botanicals and local terroir including linden flowers, cubeb berries and acacia honey. The result is a modern gin with floral notes of violets and spring blossom. Best enjoyed sipped over ice as well as mixing in cocktails.
Renais Gin RRP: £48 for 70cl. ABV: 40%. Available from: Renais, Fenwick, Master Of Malt and Amazon.
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Mandarin Fizz
Simplicity at its best. Freshly juiced mandarins coming out light and fluffy complimenting the citrus qualities of Renais and balanced with a touch of Campari.
30ml Renais | 100ml Mandarin Juice | 20ml Campari
Add chilled Renais and Campari to a highball glass over ice. And juice mandarin fresh to get a lovely fluffy texture. Give a gentle stir to enjoy.
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Peach & Thyme Sangria – sharer
Subtly sweet peach and earthy thyme are married together, creating a refreshing sundowner sharer.
180ml Renais | 1 bottle Dry White Wine (Chablis preferably) | 100ml White Peach & Thyme Syrup | 60ml Gomme Sugar Syrup | Soda Water to Top
Add all of the ingredients (except the soda water) to a pitcher. Give the ingredients a good mix and allow them to rest for a few hours. Before serving, add fresh peach slices and mix again. Pour out a glass of the Sangria and top up with soda as desired. Enjoy!
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Negroni Fraise
An all day Negroni, light, elegant and fresh, teasing out the bold citrus profile present in Renais. With food, this pairs wonderfully with burrata and heirloom tomatoes.
25ml Renais | 25ml White Vermouth | 25ml Aperol | 2 Strawberries | 1 Large Orange Peel
Place 2 strawberries in a mixing glass and break up with a muddler or the back fork, add the rest of the ingredients along with ice and stir until chilled. Strain over fresh ice in rocks glass and garnish with half a strawberry and an Orange peel.
Cotswolds Distillery
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Cotswolds Raspberry & Elderflower Cooler
Cotswolds Dry Gin Essence is designed to reduce the amount of alcohol required in a G&T or gin-based cocktails, whilst at the same time retaining intensity of flavour. This cocktail is fresh, vibrant and tart, with a fruity sweetness and floral aromatics.
5ml (5 pipettes) Cotswolds Dry Gin Essence | 15ml elderflower cordial | 7.5ml lime juice (or 2 wedges) | 8 raspberries | Kombucha or soda
Muddle raspberries in a rocks glass, add ice and the rest of the ingredients. Top up with kombucha or soda water and stir. Garnish with raspberry and mint leaves.
Cotswolds Dry Gin Essence RRP: £18.50 for 100ml (20 serves). ABV: 46%. Available from: Cotswolds Distillery
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Cotswolds No.1 Wildflower Gin Spritz
Inspired by the wildflowers growing in the glorious grasslands of the Cotswolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cotswolds Wildflower Gins have been created by marrying premium botanical essences with the gin distilling and blending skills of the Cotswolds Distillery team. Cotswolds Wildflower Gins are fragrant, full-strength gins bursting with natural flavour and delicate floral aromas of summer meadows.
50ml No.1 Wildflower Gin | Premium Tonic | Slice of orange
Top with tonic and add a slice of orange to garnish.
RRP: from £37.00 for a 70cl bottle. ABV: 41.7%. Available from: Cotswolds Distillery, Ocado, Majestic, Amazon and Master of Malt
Van Hunks
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Van Hunks Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé
Recently launched earlier this month, it is made using traditional methods in the wine-producing region of Stellenbosch. Van Hunks is then expertly de-alcoholised to preserve its natural character, guaranteeing an authentic and enjoyable wine experience.
The wine has vibrant aromas of strawberries and ripe plums, complemented by fresh summer fruit flavours and blanched acidity for a crisp, lingering finish.
75cl Available from Amazon for £14. ABV Less than 0.5% alcohol.