Cocktails don’t need to be hard work. The trick is to choose a perfectly balanced botanical gin with an interesting flavour and fragrance profile. So put away the complicated recipes and try these easy-peasy cocktails.
The ideal gin for a simple cocktail is to be found in the Flowstone Gin range. Each is infused with wild Bushveld botanicals that are sustainably harvested in the Cradle of Humankind. These award-winning gins lend themselves to uniquely delicious (but easy to make) cocktails that burst with the flavour and fragrances of the African bush. They can also be enjoyed neat over ice.
Make ahead Q-Cumber Fizz
You know what they say: “cool as a cucumber” and this is the perfect cocktail for a hot summer lunch party. A tiny bit of prep but can be done in advance.
Serves 12
You’ll need: 500ml Flowstone Wild Cucumber Gin; 2 Lebanese cucumbers, chopped (the Lebanese variety is sweeter and shorter than regular cucumbers); 120ml lime juice; 75ml simple syrup*; 4 cups sparkling water
How to:
Garnish: 2 Lebanese cucumbers, 4 limes, 25ml mint leaves
Make ahead: Whizz the simple syrup, cucumber and lime juice in a blender till smooth. Strain through a sieve. Can be stored in the fridge for a day or two.
On the day: Using a vegetable peeler, make cucumber ribbons (or just slice in 0.5cm discs if easier for you). Slice the limes. Stir the gin through the cucumber mixture and divide it between the glasses. Add a few blocks of ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with cucumber ribbons, lime slices and mint sprigs.
*Simple syrup
Combine 250ml water with 250ml sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using. Sealed, it will keep in the fridge for five days.
Savannah Sundowner
This glorious, scarlet cocktail is the perfect toast to an African sunset.
You’ll need: 35ml Flowstone Marula Gin; 90ml cranberry juice; 1 lime slice
How to:
Stir the Marula Gin through the cranberry juice. Serve over ice and garnish with a slice of lime.
Shop the Flowstone range of gin online or at Makro and Takealot. Follow @FlowstoneGin on Facebook and Insta
