Party prepped: 3 classic cocktails (and a pud in a glass)
Whizzed pina colada
MAKES 2
Place 200g fresh pineapple chunks in a blender with 100g vanilla ice cream (or coconut ice cream) and 100ml chilled Malibu, whiz until smooth and press through a sieve into a jug or bowl. Add a heaped tablespoon of crushed ice to 2 x 250ml martini glasses and pour the cocktail over.
Espresso martini
MAKES 2
In a cocktail shaker or 500ml clip-top jar, place 50ml chilled Kahlúa or Tia Maria, 100ml chilled made espresso coffee and 6 ice cubes then shake vigorously for about 1 minute until the liquid is a ‘café crème’ colour. Strain into 2 x 200ml martini glasses and leave for about a minute for the foam to settle on the surface.
Negroni jelly in a glass
MAKES 6 MARTINI GLASSES OR ABOUT 20 SHOTS
Place 100g white caster sugar in a small pan with 500ml water and the zest of 1 orange (peeled in thick strips rather than grated). Juice a lemon and sieve the juice. Soak and drain 6 gelatine leaves (for example Dr Oetker) according to the packet. Bring the pan to the boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Pour the contents over the soaked gelatine and stir until this too dissolves. Stir in 75ml sweet vermouth, 75ml gin, 75ml Campari and the lemon juice then leave to cool to room temperature. Discard the orange zest and divide the jelly solution among 6 x 250ml martini glasses or tumblers (alternatively make 75ml shots). Cover with clingfilm and chill until set. When ready to serve, decorate with slices of clementine if wished. You could also include a slice of fruit within the jelly.
Spiced Dubonnet & lemon
MAKES 2
Prepare 2 twists of orange zest: peel off 2 strips of orange peel about 15cm long. Trim the sides to give neat strips 5mm wide. Roll these up tightly into a coil, then pull out the centres to create corkscrew twists. Have ready 2 x 250ml martini glasses containing crushed or cubed ice to taste. Pop in the orange twists. Per cocktail, pour over 50ml Dubonnet, 1 tsp ginger wine and 20ml Grand Marnier or Cointreau. Top with a splash or two of good quality lemonade. Provide cinnamon sticks for twizzling and adding a hint of spice if wished.