The popularity of cocktails is a given, with the latest industry research showing that two-thirds of drinkers have tried some type of premium drink, including spirits, in the last year.
With the same research showing the majority of spirit consumers drink with a “sip and savour” approach, it’s time to explore some modern, fresh and easy-to-make cocktail recipes.
“As we move into summer, a lot of Kiwi households will take a swing at making some sort of cocktail,” said Spirits NZ Chief Executive, Robert Brewer.
“I’m always asked for recipes and tips and tricks for better cocktails, so we have gone to one of New Zealand’s best mixologists, Justin McKenzie of Wellington’s Hawthorne Lounge, who has dived into his cocktail playbook and made some recipes based on some classic cocktails.”
In terms of tips for better cocktails, Brewer said most of them are pretty much common sense, but top of the list is to follow the quantity guide in any recipe: great cocktails are balanced, and the quantities in recipes are pulled together with this in mind. This is most important in terms of alcohol content, as most cocktails don’t get much above 1.5 or 2 standard drinks. Too much spirit base can ruin the overall taste and also make for an overly alcoholic drink.
“The other thing I always advise is that for most cocktails, chill everything before mixing: glasses, mixers, whatever you’re going to mix in and even the spirit bottle.”
Brewer also said that ice can sometimes be the key ingredient, with larger format ice like big cubes being really great for cocktails like Negronis, and looking a million dollars at the same time.
“And lastly, remember if you’re shaking up a cocktail with ice, then bits will naturally break off in the shaker, which is OK of course but it can water down some cocktails without you knowing it. For me, one cocktail most affected by this is the classic martini,” he said.
“I’m afraid James Bond has it wrong. Stir your martini, don’t shake it with the ice to preserve that classic balance of spirit and vermouth.”
Hawthorn Twist - A variation to the classic vodka lime and soda.
30mls Vodka
10mls Passionfruit
10mls Elderflower
10mls Fresh Lime.
100mls Soda Water.
Fresh Lime wheel to garnish.
Fill a tall glass with ice. Combine ingredients and top with sparkling water. Stir and finish with a freshly sliced lime wheel
Spicy Paloma - quick and easy spicy delight
45mls Blanco Tequila
120mls Grapefruit Soda
1 dash Hot sauce
Fresh lemon slice
Salt to rim
Rub the rim of your glass with fresh lemon and roll in salt to coat half of the rim of the glass. Fill with ice. Add tequila and a dash of hot sauce. Stir and top with grapefruit soda. Finish with a slice of fresh lemon.
Marmalade G & T
45mls Gin
1 tsp marmalade
1 wedge of fresh lemon.
120ml tonic water
In an empty glass, squeeze in one wedge of fresh lemon. Add marmalade and gin. Stir to combine. Fill the glass with ice and top with your choice of Tonic Water.
Pomegranate Fizz (non-alcoholic)
45mls Pomegranate juice
20mls lemon juice
1tsp honey
4 Mint leaves
2 wedges free lemon
120ml soda water
Combine the pomegranate honey and lemon juice in your glass. Stir to mix in the honey. Add the month leave and top with ice. Stir and finish with soda water.
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