Recipe: climbing fruit cocktails with and without alcohol

Thirst-quenchers for young and old

Nothing says summer like enjoying an ice-cold thirst-quencher from a jug in the garden. Carry on pouring with a cheeky splash of alcohol added. Obviously we would then recommend that you drink responsibly. With or without a shot of vodka, these drinks with climbing fruit are delicious summer drinks that you will keep going back to.

You will need the following for the rosehip and strawberry cocktail (serves 4)

  • 2 rosehip teabags

  • 60 g sugar

  • 2 sprigs of rosemary + extra for garnish

  • 600 ml boiling water

  • 300 g sweet strawberries, hulled

  • Juice of ½ lemon

  • Crushed ice

  • Optional: a splash of vodka

Place the rosehip tea bags, sugar and rosemary in a measuring jug and add the boiling water. Leave the tea to brew for 10 minutes, then remove the teabags. Allow the tea with the rosemary to cool.

Blend the strawberries and the lemon juice with a stick blender until smooth, and pour the strawberry puree into a large jug. Add plenty of crushed ice, followed by the cool rosehip tea. Add a splash of vodka if required. Stir the mixture well, and serve in your choice of glasses.

You will need the following for the blueberry and ginger tonic (serves 2)

  • 250 ml blueberry juice

  • 2 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated

  • 250 ml good quality tonic

  • Peel of ½ lemon

  • Handful of blueberries

  • Crushed ice

  • Optional: a splash of gin

Mix the blueberry juice and ginger in a measuring jug, and leave to infuse for 5 minutes. Sieve the blueberry juice and pour it into a large chilled jug. Add the lemon followed by the tonic, crushed ice and a few blueberries. Add a splash of gin if required. Stir the blueberry and ginger tonic well, and serve in your choice of glasses.

You will need the following for the elderflower and cucumber lemonade (serves 4)

  • 1½ cucumber, peeled

  • 200 ml elderflower cordial

  • 3 limes, squeezed

  • Handful of herbs (mint or lemon balm)

  • 600 ml soda water

  • Crushed ice

Thoroughly blend the cucumber together with the  elderflower cordial, lime juice and herbs using the stick blender. Pass the juice through a sieve, and press as much moisture as possible out of the cucumber pulp. Pour the juice into a large jug and add crushed ice and soda water. Stir the cucumber lemonade well, and serve in your choice of glasses.

Having quenched your thirst, you've probably developed an appetite. Take a look at the recipe for bream and smörrebröd. Enjoy!

*One more thing: never tuck in to just any old (cut) flower or plant; only use edible flowers from specialist suppliers that have been grown for human consumption. 

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