Shake up your cocktails

Nothing elevates a pool party like a cocktail. Having a pre-made cocktail served upon arrival is recommended as it prevents that initial “what can I get you to drink?” Take it a step further this summer by creating your own signature cocktail for friends and family.

The head of food and beverage at the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, Themba Mpofu, shares four tips on how to create a cocktail that represents your style and energy.

Step 1: Choose your poison

Since your cocktail will represent you, think about which alcohol best suits your personality. If tequila gets you in the party mood, go for it. Or perhaps it’s a refreshing G&T? Whatever you choose, start with something you’re familiar with. ..

Step 2: Get back to basics

Once you’ve decided on the best alcohol, think about the classics. If tequila is your poison, start with a basic margarita and work on personalising it by salting the rim and topping off with a slice of lime. They’re classics for a reason: the alcohol and base ingredients complement each other perfectly with a balance of sweet and sour.

Step 3: Make it personal

Now that your bases are all covered, it’s time to get creative. Draw inspiration from seasonal produce such as berries in the summertime and citrus flavours in the cooler months. Think about what you want to add that will make the cocktail standout in your friend’s minds for summers to come. If you’re a city slicker, serve your cocktail in glasses that suggests sophistication and class. Perhaps you’re the more laidback, chill type who goes for a more artisanal look with your creation in an upcycled jam jar. Whatever you ultimately choose, keep asking yourself what sort of emotion or memory you want to create through the drinks you are serving.

Step 4: Call me by your name

The final step in creating your own signature cocktail is to name it something memorable. Perhaps you’re known for your taste in a particular style of music or an interesting pastime? Go with what makes you you.

“When we’re deciding on names for our signature cocktails at the hotel, we draw inspiration from complementary flavours to evoke a certain feeling that entices the guests to go for it,” says Mpofu. “For example, we’ve created a cocktail called the ‘Salty Dog’ because of how the grapefruit juice complements the salt on the rim of the glass and the term ‘salty dog’ reminds us of yachting around Camps Bay with our captain’s hat firmly in place.”

– Citizen reporter