We present an easy version of a beverage from the seasonal drinks list. It's a large-volume prepared mix that's bursting with tastes associated with holiday season, making it excellent for hosting a festive gathering. Reserve the remaining citrus syrup you can use for morning drinks, puddings, or for another batch of the drink.
The Bikini Cocktail
Yields 10 guests
Ingredients for the Citrus Syrup (makes 750ml)
300ml newly squeezed clementine juice
200ml fresh lemon juice
500g caster sugar
Ingredients for the Drink (yields 850ml, enough for 10)
400ml premium vodka
100ml classic gin
150ml peach liqueur
200ml clementine syrup (from the recipe above)
Whole cranberries, as a garnish
Mandarin essential oil, to finish
Method
Making the Syrup: Place the listed ingredients into a saucepan, heat until it reaches a gentle boil, stirring so the sugar melts. After that, turn off the burner and let it to cool fully. Decant to a clean bottle, seal and store chilled, where it will keep for up to one month.
For the Batch Mix: Pour all the spirits and syrup into one big jug, let it rest for one hour, then filter it best through cheesecloth, so it's fully clarified.
To serve: Pour 85ml of the batch mix into your mixing glass packed with ice, gently stirring carefully for one minute to cool it down. Pour to a chilled martini glass or a similar vessel, garnish with some cranberries and complete it using a quick spritz of mandarin oil above the glass.
