Cocktail hour

I spent some of the long weekend trying out cocktail recipes for the next issue (comes with the job!) Now that strawberries are back in season and the prices have dropped to a couple of dollars a punnet, daiquiris make a refreshing and budget-friendly option for engagement parties, weddings or even just those breaks in the planning process. And keep some space in the garden to grow your own mint – mojitos and summer go hand in hand.

Strawberry daiquiri

2 shots white rum

15ml sugar syrup

1 pinch icing sugar

1 shot triple sec

1 shot lemon juice

1 handful strawberries (minus the stem)

Extra strawberries, to garnish.

Combine all ingredients with ice in a blender. Pour into a glass and garnish with a strawberry.

Mojito

3 shots lime juice

1 handful fresh mint

1 tsp brown sugar

Club soda

Extra mint and/or raspberries, to garnish

Muddle the lime juice, mint and sugar. Shake and pour over ice into a glass. Add rum, then top up with club soda. Garnish with extra mint, or raspberries.