With Dry January a distant (and bad!) memory, it’s time to celebrate the return to boozy dinners and cocktail nights in February.
Michal Golecki, Head Mixologist at Studio Bar at K West Hotel & Spa advises on his top four cocktails that look impressive but are quick and easy to shake up with ingredients you already have in your fridge at home.
- Vodka: Raspberry Caipiroska
Michal says: “The Caipiroska cocktail is a Russian twist on the well-known Brazilian cocktail caipirinha”.
Ingredients: 50ml Vodka; 4 lime wedges; 2 tablespoon Sugar; crushed ice, 3 raspberries
Method: Muddle all of the ingredients together, and pour over ice into a rock glass or tumbler. Garnish with a couple of raspberries. If you like your cocktails on the sweeter side, you can always top up with lemonade.
- Gin: Elderflower G&T
Michal says: “This delicately coloured, refreshing take on the classic gin and tonic makes this the perfect beverage for spring”.
Ingredients: 50ml Gin; 25ml Elderflower cordial, 15ml fresh-squeezed Lime juice, tonic.
Method: Shake ingredients together with ice cubes and strain into a tall glass, top up with tonic. Garnish with a lime wedge.
- Rum: The Cuba Libre a Casa
Michal says: “This cocktail is a great way to elevate a simple Rum and Coke!”
Ingredients: 50ml Dark Rum; Coca-Cola; 1 Lime
Method: Squeeze the lime into a highball glass over ice. Add the double shot of rum and then fill the glass with Coca-Cola. Stir and add a quarter of the lime.
- Tequila: Tequilita Sunrise
Michal says: “The Tequilita Sunrise is easy to mix up at a moment’s notice, beautiful to look at, and deliciously fruity”.
Ingredients: 50ml Tequila; 50ml Orange juice, 10ml Grenadine.
Method: Pour the tequila over ice in a tall glass and top with orange juice and add the grenadine Add more grenadine for a sweeter flavour. Garnish with a slice of Orange or Grapefruit