Allow yourself to be transported to your perfect golden hour moment this summer with the Mediterranean Collection.
An early evening drink is an essential part of any epicurean moment. It sets the tone for the rest of the evening. Whether you are following the summer sun into the late afternoon, watching golden hour from your hotel terrace, or rinsing the salt from your sun-kissed skin, a refreshing drink is always the perfect way to say “Salute!” to the day and welcome the evening.
These days, we’re looking to refresh our early evening drinks array with upmarket, flavourful beverages which make great additions to that gin & tonic moment. “The aperitif category has grown globally by almost 30%, largely due to the desire for lower alcoholic beverages,” explains Rowan Leibbrandt, founder of premium drinks company, Truman & Orange.
Supporting the trend which moves away from strong spirituous cocktails is the Mediterranean Collection curated by Truman and Orange. This collection of drinks introduces a new era of drinking – one that emphasises flavourful and intriguing drinks which can be enjoyed throughout the day. They are delicious on their own yet versatile enough to build on one another. This collection allows individuals to be transported to that perfect golden hour moment.
A wonderful way to ease into a summer afternoon would be to sip on a Pampelle spritz. Created by mixing one-part Pampelle, three-parts Mionetto Prosecco and a dash of soda water. This spritz will have you dreaming of the sun-drenched French island of Corsica, nestled in the Mediterranean Sea. Ruby-red grapefruit is the star of the show and is perfectly complimented by the honey, berry, and citrus flavours of Mionetto, the world’s number one selling prosecco.
When the sun begins to set, you may be inclined to reach for a classic G&T. Only the finest tonic water blended with essential oils from herbs that have been gathered from the shores of the Mediterranean will do.
Fever-Tree has created exactly that, and it pairs beautifully with Ginato Clementino gin. Ginato embodies the spirit of Italy by expertly blending the finest Italian juniper berries, botanicals, and Pinot Grigio grapes, resulting in a collection of gins which exude the true essence of Italy. Mix one-part Ginato Clementino with three-parts Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic. This simple serve will quickly become your summer drink of choice.
Or, you could toast the day with a Sbagliato. “What’s that?” you may ask. A wonderful drink invented by the Italians, “Sbagliato” directly translates to mistake. Legend has it, that an Italian bartender creating a negroni, grabbed a bottle of prosecco instead of gin which resulted in a wonderful drink with the flavour depth of a negroni and the refreshing element of a spritz.
To produce one of these marvellous creations, one would need to be introduced to the Hotel Starlino range. Beautifully presented in striking apothecary-inspired bottles, this collection of drinks is made up of two elegant wine-based aperitifs and a beautifully balanced vermouth. Simply mix 1-part Starlino Rosso Vermouth, 1-part Starlino Arancione Aperitif with 1-part Mionetto Prosecco Brut. Slowly sip and watch the sun sink.
To round off the evening, the delicious taste of Italian amaro liqueur is in order. Monte Stambecco provides just that. Rich in golden hue, this Italian liqueur may be sipped neat or topped with soda water while you imagine yourself at a candle lit dinner on the cobble stone streets of Italy.
The Mediterranean Collection is refreshing, versatile and perfect for the summer months. This range can be mixed with tonic or soda water, sparkling wine or prosecco or mix ‘n matched to create more sophisticated drinks.
Curate your own Mediterranean Collection by visiting www.cutlerdrinks.co.za and selecting three or more participating brands and receive a complimentary Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic 4 x 200ml pack as well as a Pampelle branded gift with purchase.
In celebration of what’s left of summer, here are a few fab cocktail recipes we’ll be stirring up over the weekend.
Hotel Starlino Rosa Spritz
Hotel Starlino Rosa is a naturally light aperitif from Italy made with natural elderflower, grapefruit and thyme. It is a zesty and complex citrus forward blend of Italian pink grapefruit, lemon and orange with an intriguing bittersweet botanical distillation.
Ingredients: 25ml Hotel Starlino Rosa Aperitivo; top with Mionetto Prosecco; add a dash of soda water and garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary
Pampelle Mint Spritz
Made from handpicked grapefruits from the sun drenched, French island of Corsica, which is nestled in the idyllic Mediterranean Sea, Pampelle is a complex aperitif. The hero of Pampelle is the Star Ruby Red Grapefruit that is responsible for its sweetly bitter disposition. Whether you like it stirred or tossed in a cocktail shaker, tonic water makes an excellent addition to any cocktail. The Pampelle Tonic plays to this truth, adding its own signature blend of natural botanicals and bittersweet essences.
Ingredients: 25ml Pampelle; top with tonic water (we suggest Fever-Tree)
Method: Build over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with sprigs of mint
Clementino Prosecco Smash
Ingredients: 50ml Ginato Clementino Gin; 20ml Sugar syrup*, 20ml Lemon juice, 50ml Mionetto Prosecco
*Mix one cup of sugar with one cup of water and bring to the boil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Cook at a rapid simmer until the mixture thickens slightly (about 8 minutes). Remove from heat and add one tablespoon of vanilla essence. Leave to cool.
Method: Add all ingredients except for the Prosecco, churn over crushed ice, top with Prosecco and garnish with orange slices.
Starlino Rosso Negroni
Ingredients: 25 ml Starlino Rosso; 25 ml Starlino Arancione; 25 ml Gin; Orange peel; Maraschino Cherry
Method: Add the Starlino Rosso, Arancione and gin to an old fashioned glass. Stir and serve with a twist of fresh orange peel, sit back and enjoy!
The Stambecco Spritz
Monte Stambecco, rich in golden hue, is a bold Italian amaro liqueur. This beautiful product of Italy can be drunk neat, as a premium shooter, and in a variety of Amaro cocktails. It is a perfect add to any bar making the choice of drinks for any occasion complete – from the party starter on arrival, to a cocktail that transports you to the most beautiful cobble stoned café somewhere in Italy.
Ingredients: 60ml Stambecco Amaro; 90ml Dry Sparkling Wine; 30ml Soda Water; Garnish – Lime Wheel
Method: Add ice to a long stem glass followed by Stambecco Amaro. Top with dry sparkling wine and soda water and garnish with a lime wheel.
www.cutlerdrinks.co.za
