Cocktail No 7 Balalaika

Named after the Russian stringed instrument similar to a lute, it should come as no surprise that this is a vodka based cocktail. It one of my all time favourites and a gentler variation on the Margarita, substituting vodka for the tequila. It is therefore much fresher and lighter, but just as lethal, so be warned.

I used Raspberry vodka this time and to be honest, it doesn't work - too strong a flavour. Its needs a pure, clean neutral vodka to let the lemon juice and the orange flavours in the Cointreau / Triple Sec come through.

Remember to twist the orange peel (or cheat and add add a few drops of Fee Brothers Orange Bitters) to release the citrus oils and really lift the taste.

I made this one with my Art Deco cocktail shaker, which has a lemon squeezer built into the top - its a beautiful piece of design.

Recipe

2-3 ice cubes

40 ml Vodka

15 ml Cointreau or Triple Sec

15 ml Lemon juice

Spiral of orange peel

A vodka, Cointreau or Triple Sec and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.

Decorate with a spiral of orange peel (twisted).

Enjoy.

Cocktail No 6 Havana Club

Getting back to the classics, which to be honest is the majority of cocktails that I drink.

Havana Club - how to describe it - the molasses from the rum gives a great warm under belly to this drink. I used spiced rum, which gives an extra kick whilst the original calls for white rum.

The rosso vermouth has a strong flavour so be gentle on the measure. It provides a complexity of flavour from all the herbs and aromatics - too much will create bitterness and cloying sweetness. The ratio of 2:1 is about right IMHO.

Shame I have run out of rum - a second one would be most welcome. This one is a keeper in my books.

Recipe

Add 2 measures of White Rum and 1 measure of Rosso Vermouth to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Decorate with a cocktail cherry on a stick.

Cocktail No 4 The Gimlet

A special request from my friend "Cully" to remind him of his childhood.

Refreshing is the best word for this one. A mix of Gin and lime juice lifted with soda. With special thanks to J&T Events for the express delivery of hog roast to the most spoiled dogs in the Valley - Lilith and Sasha Love you Tracey & Jeff!