If you are getting bored with drinking the same old drinks, then why not try pairing your usual drink with a fruit flavour or making some cocktails using some new and innovative flavour pairings? Here we look the cocktails you can make with the most popular fruits.
According to the Alcohol Trust, the average figures in 2016 for drinking by men are 16 units per week, while for women it was 9.1 units per week, compared with government guidelines of 14 units per week. This probably means that as a nation we are being more choosy about what we are drinking, which is why some of these fruit-flavoured cocktails are perfect for a once-in-a-while treat.
Oranges and Grapes
Orange works well with other flavours such as chocolate, mint and coffee. It also works with drinks such as brandy. Cocktails such as Tequila Sunrise and Screwdriver both have orange juice as their base flavour. Grape goes well with chocolate (again), citrus and ginger and can be used to make cocktails such as a Blood Martini. It is also a good juice to use in non-alcoholic cocktails, as it can easily mimic the taste of white wine.
Banana and Apple
As with most fruits, banana works well with chocolate as well as other classic flavours such as caramel, honey and cinnamon. The flavour of banana goes well with rum and can be used in cocktails such as a Banana Daiquiri or a Banana Split Martini. Apple also pairs well with flavours such as caramel and cinnamon as well as hazelnut. Cocktails made with apple cider and apple-flavoured liqueur are a popular choice.
Strawberries and Raspberries
Soft fruits such as raspberries and strawberries are a great choice for cocktail making and go well with other flavours such as citrus, rhubarb and vanilla. Cocktails made with raspberries include Raspberry Mojito, Raspberry Margherita and Raspberry Bellini. Although fresh raspberry is always better, you could also use raspberry food flavouring instead of fresh from places such as http://www.foodieflavours.com/shop/flavours/natural-flavouring/raspberry/. Popular strawberry cocktails include Strawberry Margheritas, Strawberry Daiquiris and even Strawberry Gin and Tonics.
So if you are hosting a BBQ or other event this summer and want something different for your guests to enjoy, then why not give one of these great cocktails a try?
