Light Refreshment
Being outdoors lately has been like living inside an near-empty jam jar left out in the sun – hot and sticky. Time for a cool drink or two methinks. With Australia Day rolling around next week here’s your opportunity to forgo regular soft drinks and beer in favour of something a little more adventurous. I’ve got a little repertoire that I call on under various circumstances.
The Cranberry Cooler is a general all-rounder. I make up a batch in a large screw-top jar and keep it in the fridge for a refreshing drink throughout the day. On the other hand there’s my two favourites for when a bit of alcoholic intervention is required. What’s not to love about Sangria? Icy cold wine mixed with sweet apple cider and fresh fruit. Traditionally made with red wine, this white wine version is a little lighter on the palate. Mix whatever fruit you have to hand and you have a grown-ups fruit salad. For a bit more kick, a Moscow Mule never fails to deliver. Limey, minty ginger beer goodness, with added peach slices for something to nibble on between sips.
But you can never go past an old-fashioned bowl of punch. It seems each one of my girlfriends has their very own recipe passed down through the family. Do you have a fail-safe drinks all-rounder?
White Sangria
1 x 750ml bottle of chilled white wine (I used Sauvignon Blanc)
1 x 750ml chilled sparking apple cider
60ml brandy (optional)
1 apple sliced thinly
1 orange sliced thinly
1 lime sliced thinly
1 lemon sliced thinly
Pour chilled white wine, apple cider and brandy into a 3L capacity jug. Add the sliced fruit, stir and serve.
Cranberry Cooler
1.5L chilled cranberry juice
500ml chilled soda water
50g caster sugar
bunch of mint, leaves picked
1 lime sliced
150g frozen raspberries
This is a beautifully refreshing (and alcohol-free) drink. Make more than you think – it will go quick.
Pour the juice, soda water and sugar in a 3L capacity jug and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the mint leaves, lime and frozen raspberries and serve.
Peach Moscow Mule
250ml (1 cups) vodka
6 limes, 4 juiced, 2 sliced
bunch of mint, leaves picked
2 peaches, halved, stone and thinly sliced
1L chilled ginger beer
Pour vodka into a 2 litre-capacity jug. Add mint, lime juice plus the lime and peach slices. Fill with ice, top with ginger beer, stir and serve.
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It was so damn hot today I wish I’d read this post sooner! They look so tasty and refreshing. I’ll have to give them a try at the next BBQ we host… I’ll report back. Thanks for sharing
The cranberry cooler sounds especially refreshing! I’m always dreaming of these kinds of drinks in the height of Summer. Great photos by the way!