WHere is a home-style version of a beverage featured on the seasonal menu. It's a large-volume premix that's loaded full of tastes of a Christmas time, making it excellent for a holiday party. Save the extra citrus syrup to use in breakfast cocktails, sweets, or to make more rounds of the drink.
The Bikini Cocktail
Makes enough for 10 guests
Ingredients for the Clementine Syrup (yields 750ml)
300ml fresh clementine juice
200ml recently pressed lemon juice
500g granulated sugar
For the Cocktail (yields 850ml, serving 10)
400ml decent vodka
100ml London dry gin
150ml peach-flavored liqueur
200ml clementine syrup (see above)
A few cranberries, as a garnish
Mandarin essential oil, to finish
Method
For the Cordial: Place the listed components in a pot, bring to a light boil, agitating so the sugar melts. After that, turn off the heat and leave to reach room temperature completely. Transfer to a sterilised bottle, cap it and store in the refrigerator, it will last for up to four weeks.
To make Premix: Mix all the liquid ingredients in a sizeable container, leave to sit for one hour, then strain best through cheesecloth, to ensure it's perfectly clear.
For serving: Measure 85ml of the cocktail base into your stirring glass containing ice, gently stirring lightly for a minute until cold. Filter to a frosted cocktail glass or similar, garnish with a few cranberries adding the final touch with a brief mist of the essential oil over the drink.
