WThis is a home-style take on a beverage featured on the seasonal drinks list. It's a large-volume prepared mix that is bursting with the essence associated with holiday season, rendering it excellent for hosting a celebration. Any leftover cordial you can use for brunch beverages, puddings, or to mix another batch of this cocktail.
Bikini
Makes enough for 10 people
To make the Clementine Syrup (yields 750ml)
300ml newly squeezed clementine juice
200ml recently pressed lemon juice
500g granulated sugar
Ingredients for the Cocktail (makes 850ml, enough for 10)
400ml good quality vodka
100ml classic gin
150ml peach-flavored liqueur
200ml citrus syrup (as made above)
A few cranberries, as a garnish
Mandarin essential oil, for finishing
Method
To prepare the Cordial: Combine the listed components into a saucepan, heat until it reaches a gentle boil, mixing so the sugar melts. Next, take off the stove allowing it to cool entirely. Decant into a clean bottle, seal and store chilled, where it will keep for about four weeks.
Preparing the Premix: Pour all the liquids in a large bottle, leave to sit for an hour, then filter it preferably using cheesecloth, so it's completely strained.
To serve: Measure 85ml of your cocktail base into your stirring glass packed with ice, gently stirring lightly for one minute to cool it down. Pour to a frosted cocktail glass or a similar vessel, decorate with some cranberries and complete it using a brief mist with the mandarin essence over the drink.
