ON THE GRAPEVINE

SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... SPRING COCKTAIL RECIPES

IT’S the time of year to let ingredients speak for themselves – and showcase how some of the biggest hitters in the spirit world have been inspired by the countryside coming into bloom, to create exquisitely presented drinks.

We’ve played with some fun, easy flavours to celebrate spring...

1 CIROC IN BLOOM SPRITZ A FRAGRANT mix of citrus and summer berries blended with CIROC Vodka (£38.50 for 70cl, Tesco) make this a fruity and refreshing concoction.

Ingredients: 50ml CIROC Vodka, 15ml lime juice, 15ml elderflower cordial, 15ml grapefruit juice, 15ml strawberry puree, soda water.

Method: Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the ingredients, shake vigorously and strain into a long stem wine glass. Top with soda and garnish with a cucumber ribbon, strawberry slices and lemon thyme.

2 COTSWOLD BLOSSOMS AN aromatic cocktail that’s delicate and dry, the tartness of grapefruit enhances the citrusy elements in Cotswolds Distillery Dry Gin (£37 for 70cl, Waitrose), finishing with a floral note.

Ingredients: 50ml Cotswolds Dry Gin, 15ml elder- flower liqueur, 15ml Lillet Blanc, 25ml grapefruit juice, 5ml rose water.

Method: Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an edible blossom.

3 GRANDER BLACKBERRY MOJITO

NICELY tart with a fresh minty tang, this slight twist on a classic mojito is made with Grander Rum Aged 8 Years (£25.88 for 70cl, Amazon), adding just the right amount of dark-fruit sweetness to complement the background rum notes. A long drink, perfect for those spring evenings.

Ingredients: 50ml Grander Rum 8-year-old, 25ml soda water, 20ml freshly squeezed lime juice, 10-15ml pure cane syrup, 8 blackberries, 8 fresh mint leaves.

Method: First, muddle blackberries, mint, lime juice and pure cane syrup in a cocktail shaker, then add rum and ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a Collins glass with crushed ice, then top with club soda.

Garnish with blackberry, mint sprig and lime wedge.