Tipples and toasts
The New Year is almost here, and that said it’s time to get into the spirit of things and polish up those party tricks. Cocktails are a great way of easing into the evening – and expressing a little creativity as you do it. We have no doubt you’ll have some specials up your sleeve, but here are a few extra just for fun
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/12/Elder-flower.jpg)
The Mojito
The traditional Cuban highball, a mojito is one of Cuba’s oldest cocktails and one of the world’s favourites.
60 ml white rum
1 lime/60 ml lime juice
1 tsp powdered sugar
4 mint leaves
club soda
crushed ice
Muddle the mint with the sugar and lime juice in a long glass. Add ice (preferably crushed), then rum and stir. Top off with club soda. Garnish with a mint sprig.
Photo courtesy www.bigoven.com
Candy Cane Cocktail
Not only does a Candy Cane Cocktail look festive, but it tastes festive too with hints of Christmas stocking peppermint candy!
1 T crushed soft peppermint candy
40 ml vodka
20 ml brandy OR Kahlúa
splash of white crème de menthe
30 ml cream
Crushed ice
Peppermint stick for garnish
Mint sprig for garnish
Combine the vodka and crushed peppermint. Stir to dissolve. Add the remaining ingredients, stir and garnish.
Photo courtesy www.colonywinemarket.com
Elderflower Cooler
40 ml gin
20 ml St. Germaine Elderflower liqueur
20 ml dry vermouth
20 ml lemon juice
1 bar spoon honey syrup (1 part honey : 1 part boiling water — let cool)
Optional absinthe rinse
Add all liquids to cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until chilled, approximately 15 seconds. If you’re a fan of absinthe, rinse the glass with it. Using a vegetable peeler, peel a long slice of the cucumber lengthwise. Place a cucumber garnish around the outside of the glass. Fill the glass with ice and add cocktail mixture.
Photo courtesy www.turntablekitchen.com
Whiskey Sour
The lemon in this whisky recipe rounds off the alcohol and gives it an edgy sharpness. Simple and sophisticated
2 parts bourbon
1 part lemon juice
½ part sugar syrup
½ part egg white
Cubed ice
To garnish: 1 cherry and an orange slice
Put ice and all of the ingredients into a shaker and shake hard for about 20 seconds to chill the liquid really well. Strain the mix into a glass filled with ice and garnish with the cherry and orange slice.
Photo courtesy liquor.s3.amazonaws.com
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon is a popular summer cocktail featuring blue Curaçao. One variation adds a dash of lime cordial to the mix. Another variation with a dash of raspberry cordial is known as a “Fruit tingle”.
1 part Blue Curacao
1 part Vodka
4 parts Lemon juice
Pour vodka and blue curacao in a shaker with ice, shake well & strain into ice filled highball glass, top with lemonade, garnish and serve.
Photo courtesy www.liveinstyle.com
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!