With the sun shining and the second May Bank Holiday just around the corner, it’s time to bring out the cocktails. That, plus the fact that I handed in the first draft of my cookbook this morning – all 8 chapters, 100 recipes and 50,000 words (yep, I might have overshot the word limit a fraction but that’s what the editor’s for, right?) of it. Let’s celebrate.
These pretty pink drinks are made with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, gin, a rosemary-infused simple syrup and your choice of soda water or ginger beer, depending on the sweetness of your tooth (teeth). You can also serve them in fancy glasses – no ice – and top with a tiny splash of prosecco for a shorter, more sophisticated twist.
Herbs work wonderfully to cut through anything sweet – I often use them in baking and love the subtle aroma you get in this drink. If rosemary isn’t your thing, try replacing with a few slices of fresh, peeled ginger instead. Here’s to sunshine, holidays, happiness and handing in my book. Cheers!
- For the simple syrup
- 200ml water
- 200g caster sugar
- 2 large sprigs rosemary
- For the cocktails
- 80ml gin
- 100ml freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 2 tbsp simple syrup
- ice cubes
- soda water, ginger beer or prosecco, to finish
- In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar, Bring to the boil, add the rosemary then turn off the heat and leave to cool completely. Remove the rosemary.
- To make the cocktails, combine the gin, grapefruit juice, simple syrup and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously then divide between two ice-filled tumblers. Top with soda water or ginger beer, or serve in a champagne flute topped with a tiny splash of prosecco.
- The leftover syrup will keep in the fridge for several weeks.
Wow Kate, 100 recipes, 50k words, that’s a lot of hard work and words !! I thought my PhD thesis at 100k (which took 1.5 yrs to write) was hard. …Congratulations, you are really an inspiration for all bakers :))
Thanks Cigdem! x
Eeeeeeeep, congratulations!!! Amazing.
Wow, congratulations on handing your first draft in! Such an achievement, defiantly deserving of celebrations! x
Yay! Congrats 🙂 Such a pretty drink, it sounds like the perfect way to celebrate.
Yes a great combination to drink in the spring. You must be very excited
SO excited! 🙂
Congrats on getting that in, it must be relief to have a bit of a breather for a bit!
And those cocktails look amazing, by the way!
Yay! Great news. Congratulations. And now you get to enjoy the sunny weather… 🙂
I could sure use one right now. So inviting…..
Congrats on your cookbook! This looks fantastic. I love grapefruit cocktails – and the pretty pink color is an added bonus 🙂
Hurrah! Congrats for handing the manuscript in; what an awesome achievement! How does it feel to have your weekends back?! ; )
Amazing. But also quite odd – don’t quite know what to do with myself 😉 x
Congrats on getting in the first draft, that is so exciting! Cheers to that:-)
Congratulations on handing in your first draft! that’s huge! I love the colour of this cocktail, it’s girly yet sophisticated.
Congrats! Can’t believe you are this far already!
A huge congratulations on handing in the book draft! Wow, so exciting for you!
The celebratory looks gorgeous (such a lovely color) and sounds very refreshing.
Congratulations! You must of worked SO hard and I bet it feels like a huge relief to get the first milestone out of the way! It can only get easier from now ! 🙂 L x
Ah!! Congratulations, Kate!! I’m sure it’s a relief to know the proverbial ball is in the midst of a smooth roll. 😀
This libation looks refreshingly candid and sweet! (I *love* earthy rosemary!!)
beautiful! and congrats!
HUGE congratulations – so exciting and you definitely deserve to celebrate! (Also pink grapefruit and rosemary – sounds like a fab combination) x
Thanks Helen, sooo excited!
Pingback: Ten essential recipes for afternoon tea | Foodies 100
Pingback: Weekend Link Love - Amy Elizabeth