We present a home-style take on a drink from the seasonal drinks list. This is a party-sized prepared mix which is bursting with the tastes associated with holiday season, which makes it excellent for hosting a festive gathering. Reserve the remaining citrus syrup to use in morning drinks, puddings, or to make additional servings of this cocktail.
The Bikini Cocktail
Makes enough for 10 guests
To make the Clementine Syrup (produces 750ml)
300ml newly squeezed clementine juice
200ml fresh lemon juice
500g caster sugar
Ingredients for the Cocktail (yields 850ml, enough for 10)
400ml decent vodka
100ml London dry gin
150ml peach-flavored liqueur
200ml clementine cordial (from the recipe above)
Whole cranberries, as a garnish
Mandarin essential oil, for finishing
Method
To prepare the Syrup: Combine the listed items inside a pot, heat until it reaches a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Next, remove from the stove and leave to cool completely. Transfer into a clean bottle, close it and store in the refrigerator, it can be stored for up to one month.
To make Cocktail Base: Mix the specified liquid ingredients into a large bottle, leave to sit for 60 minutes, then pass it through best through a fine cloth, to ensure it's completely strained.
When ready to serve: Measure 85ml from the batch mix into your mixing glass packed with ice, gently stirring carefully for a minute until cold. Filter into a chilled martini glass or similar, top with some cranberries and complete it by giving it a brief mist of mandarin oil over the top.
