What better way to say cheers to #WomensMonth than with an alcoholic beverage or two with your friends.
Here are a few of my favourite drinks (in order of preference)
Tequila
First you lick the salt off your hand, down the tequila and suck on a lemon. This is what we all do when "enjoying" a shot. That, however, is no longer the only way to enjoy tequila. No, we now also sip on a good quality tequila. You can even add Appletiser to sweeten this drink made from the blue agave plant.
My personal favourite combo, it has no name, was dreamed up by an inventive mixologist... because saying bartender is very 90s.
My Bliss
What you need:
Tequila (Don Julio, it is just so smooth), Ameretto and a dash of lime. Pour all of this over crushed ice in a salt-rimmed glass.
Margarita:
What you need:
Tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice. Rub the rim of the glass with the lime slice to make the salt stick to it. Take care to moisten only the outer rim and sprinkle the salt on it. The salt should present to the lips of the imbiber and never mix into the cocktail. Shake the other ingredients with ice, then carefully pour into the glass.
A frozen margarita will cool you down on those hot summer days.File picture: Armand Hough/ANA Pictures
Gin
Gin distilled locally and made with fynbos is all the rage. Gin bars specialising in this spirit are popping up everywhere.
A word of advice from a lifelong gin-drinker: When ordering a gin specify that it should be hand-crafted. We now have choices: from Woodstock's Inception to Inverroche to Hendricks and the beautifully presented Pink Musgrave.
Gin, grapefruit gin and tonic
What you need:
Your favourite brand of gin, grapefruit juice and tonic water. Bruise the grapefuit peel, rub on the rim of the glass then add as garnish.
Monkey Gland
What you need:
Gin, orange juice, absinthe, grenadine. Shake well over ice cubes in a shaker, strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Hand-crafted, locally distilled gins are hugely popular. Picture: Supplied
Whisky/Whiskey
This spirit distilled from malted grain is typically aged in wooden casks and like most good things the older the better. Connoisseurs insist that this tipple be enjoyed on the rocks or neat. But if you feel adventurous try a whisky cocktail or go old school and drink it with lemonade. (Didn't we all start appreciating the refined alcohol this way?)
Whisky cocktail
What you need:
Whisky, lemon juice, sugar, and optionally, a dash of egg white. Shake with ice. Strain into ice-filled old-fashioned glass to serve "on the rocks."
Angry Canadian
What you need:
Whisky, pure maple syrup, ice cubes, bitters, a maraschino cherry. Measure one teaspoon of pure maple syrup into a whiskey glass. Add the bitters, Maraschino cherry, ice cubes, and whisky. Swirl, and serve.
A Mimosa is the perfect accompaniment to breakfast or brunch. File picture: Wikipedia
Champagne/Sparkling Wine
When there's a toast to be made, we break out the Champagne or sometimes its cheaper (read: affordable) cousin, sparkling wine. This fermented grape juice with all its glorious bubbles guarantee a headache, but that is the next day's problem. Because of its delicate flavour and uhm it's price, when you do indulge all you need is a pretty glass to show it off. However you can spice things up. Here's how:
Champagne Cocktail
What you need:
Champagne, sugar, bitters, brandy and a maraschino cherry.
Add dash of Angostura bitter onto sugar cube and drop it into champagne flute. Add cognac followed by gently pouring chilled champagne. Garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry
Mimosa
What you need:
Champagne/sparkling wine and orange juice. Use equal parts Champagne/sparkling wine and chilled orange juice.
Daiquiris
And last but not least this classic cocktail can be made with seasonal fruit and can be rum or vodka-based.
Follow the quick step-by-step video to guide you in making this refreshing summer drink.