Lepitite Orange

I promised you I would be posting some cocktail ideas a while back and since then I've only put one up. That's my bad. But let's be honest... you and me, we've still got a lot of QT to spend together this summer. 

So allow me to introduce the lovely Lepitite Orange. Say it with me.... Lepitite Orange. I believe that's French for "sexy shit." Honestly, how you can you not love this drink with a name like that? 

Let's get into it. (I apologise for the quality of photo but this was served up by Power on a particularly steamy Saturday and it was probably the fourth different cocktail we tried.)  

Stuff you'll need to make one:

25ml of Bacardi Superior Rum (use another brand if you want but honestly, why would you?)

25 ml of Noilly Prat Dry

2 teaspoons of apricot preserve

25 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice (I swear to God if you use the lemon juice that comes in a green bottle I will never talk to you again)

3 dashes of orange bitters

1 dash of egg white

What to do:

1. Put all the ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously . 

2. Strain the drink twice and pour into a rocks glass or tumbler. (Full of ice.)

3. Garnish with grapefruit zest. 

This drink is so good on a hot summer's day it will make you weep. The combination of fresh citrus and apricots leaves a long, cool finish. Trust me, you want to be part of this. 

Cheers,

Jamie Who

Rum and cherry coke floats

I mentioned I would be throwing out a couple of cocktails for you guys to enjoy. A mate of mine, Power, is the brand manager of Bacardi and several other top labels and he's going to be helping us. Our boy is SUPER-passionate about booze. Once he starts talking it's actually difficult to get him to stop. His palette is amazingly advanced as a result though and he brings out some killer ingredients. Infusions, emulsions, fresh produce, herbs, dried fruit, syrups etc. He basically nails it. I thought I would ease you into it though with something fun and uncomplicated. We nailed a few of these on our recent trip to Riebeek Kasteel and it was such an awesome throwback to the days of growing up. I don't care who you are, airs and graces will go out the window when you're sucking one of these bad boys. 

I'm not going to get technical about exact ratios (this will come into play with other cocktails) but basically here's what you do to make one:

1. Fill a highball or collins glass to the top with ice.

2. Pour in a double of shot of Bacardi Superior Rum. 

3. Fill to the top with chilled Cherry Coca-Cola. 

4. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Garnish with maraschino cherries. 

This isn't exactly rocket science guys but there's something so awesome about the "cheesiness" of this drink. If you serve it on a beautiful silver platter like we did it can add a playful touch to a formal event. Guests with a sense of humour will appreciate this as a dessert after dinner, or as a refreshing drink at a braai. 

Your trainer will hate you. You will hate me. But I will still love you. Enjoy...

Cheers,

Jamie Who  

P.S. How good is Mrs. Awesome's food photography? Very f-ing good.