Summer cocktail classics with a twist by Hayman's

It won't come as any suprise to you that gin is really big right now. Everywhere you look there is artisan gin and I recently found out there is a London bus tour featuring an afternoon tea with specially selected gins which I am thinking of taking mother in law on for her birthday. It's possible to try a different gin every week and not run out so when I was asked if I wanted to try Hayman's gin I thought, "hang on, you'd like me to try gin you say ?" It didn't exactly require a hard sell.

I'm by no means a gin connoisseur, but I do like a G and T with a splash of fever tree tonic, ice and a slice of lime. However, with the gorgeous weather we've been having, Hayman’s have added a dash of Englishness to classic cocktails and created three refreshing drinks using seasonal fruits, mixers and gin. English Ruby Fizz, Lavender Lady and Victorian Mojito are classic summer cocktails with a delicious twist. Why not give them a try ?

Hayman’s English Ruby Fizz

Semi-sweet, refreshing and with an eye-catching pink tint, the English Ruby Fizz is the ideal al fresco cocktail.  The sweet taste of the raspberries partners perfectly with the spicy ginger notes.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Hayman’s London Dry Gin
• 20ml lime juice
• 10ml sugar syrup or Grenadine
• 4-8 fresh raspberries or raspberry syrup
• Ginger Ale to top with
• Lime wheel and fresh raspberries to garnish

Method:

1.      Fill a highball glass with plenty of large cubes of ice
2.      Set aside the ginger ale and garnish, and combine all remaining ingredients in a shaker with ice
3.      Shake well for approximately 12 seconds
4.      Double strain into the highball allowing the liquid to run over the ice
5.      Top with ginger ale
6.      Garnish with a lime wheel and raspberries

Hayman’s Lavender Lady

The Lavender Lady is the Hayman’s take on the traditional sour White Lady cocktail.   The egg white creates a silky mixture, which perfectly accompanies the honey and Cointreau.  Top the cocktail with a sprig of Lavender, and sit back in the garden and relax.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Hayman’s London Dry Gin
• 20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 10ml of locally sourced honey or 20ml of honey water
• 10ml Cointreau
• 1 medium egg white
• Dash of orange bitters
• Sprig of lavender to garnish

Honey water:

1.      Combine equal parts of honey and hot water
2.      Stir until mixed

Method:

1.      Add cubed ice to a cocktail shaker
2.      Pour the Hayman’s London Dry Gin over the ice
3.      Add all the remaining ingredients, except the garnish
4.      Give all the ingredients a very hard shake and strain into cocktail glass
5.      Garnish with a sprig of lavender

Hayman’s Victorian Mojito

Nothing says summer like a sun lounger, a good book and a refreshing minty mojito in the back garden.   The Victorian Mojito combines Hayman’s London Dry Gin with fresh mint and lime juice balanced with sugar syrup to create an ideal English classic.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Hayman’s London Dry Gin
• 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice
• 20ml sugar syrup
• Premium tonic water or soda water
• Freshly picked mint leaves

Method:

1.      Fill a highball glass with cracked or crushed ice and a few fresh mint leaves
2.      Pour in the Hayman’s London Dry Gin and let it run down over the ice
3.      Add the lime juice and sugar syrup
4.      Churn vigorously ensuring the ingredients are well mixed
5.      Top with the tonic water or soda water
6.      Garnish with a mint sprig

Disclosure: The nice folks at Hayman's sent me some samples of gin to try.