Life
4 ways to pimp your spritz this summer
By George Wales
6 years ago
In partnership with Ketel One Botanical
Is there anything better than an ice-cold spritz? Reader, there is not. Here’s how to elevate yours this summer…
There are several key components to a good summer.
Constant access to ice cream. No fewer than three trips to the beach. At least one week when you can say the weather is “actually a bit too hot”.
Finally, you need a signature drink – something light, fresh-tasting and ice-cold.
And in a crowded field, the summer spritz is head-and-shoulders above the competition.
Better still, there are endless ways to customise the drink to keep it feeling fresh.
“Using classic ingredients with innovative and surprising new flavour combinations leads to really interesting modern drinks,” says David Burgess, co-founder of London bar Fugitive Motel.
With that in mind, here are four ways to pimp your spritz…
1. Peach & Thyme Spritz
A sure-fire way to elevate your spritz? Head to the herb garden.
“Herbs have always been used in cocktails,” says Burgess, “but the bar is being raised now.
“More and more mixologists are looking at what’s in the kitchen and, guided by seasonality, using herbs in exciting ways.”
“Thyme is really subtle, and brings out the peach here brilliantly.”
Recipe
2 cups diced peaches
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup honey
3 sprigs fresh thyme
Ice
30ml Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom
Soda water
Peach slices
(Makes one serving; contains one UK unit of alcohol)
Bring the diced peaches, water, honey and thyme to a boil in a saucepan, then remove and leave to cool.
Strain the mixture through a sieve, then add 60ml into a lowball glass over ice.
Add the Ketel One Botanical, top with soda water and garnish with a peach slice and some thyme sprigs.
2. Cucumber, Lime & Mint Spritz
The OG flavour combo for gin, this also works a treat for other spirits.
“Whether in a water jug, dessert dish or cocktail pitcher, mint and cucumber just work so well together,” says Burgess. “They’re summer flavours at their freshest.”
Recipe
3-4 cucumber ribbons
4-6 mint leaves, rinsed and patted dry
Ice
1/2 tsp lime juice
30ml Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint
Soda water
Lime wedge
(Makes one serving; contains one UK unit of alcohol)
Muddle cucumber and mint in a highball glass over ice.
Add the lime juice and Ketel One Botanical, then top with soda water and garnish with a lime wedge.
3. Rosemary & Grapefruit Spritz
Another herby twist on a classic spritz, this time focusing on a rosemary and grapefruit combo.
“Classically, rosemary has rarely made it past the G&T glass,” says Burgess.
“But there’s something about its hearty, savoury characteristics meeting citrusy flavours like grapefruit that works so well.”
“As neither are too overpowering, they brilliant together in a spritz.”
Recipe
30ml Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose
60ml grapefruit juice
Ice
Soda water
2 rosemary sprigs
(Makes one serving; contains one UK unit of alcohol)
Shake the Ketel One Botanical, grapefruit juice and ice in a cocktail shaker, strain and serve over ice in a highball glass.
Top with soda water and garnish with rosemary sprigs.
4. Peach & Green Tea Spritz
This one might not sound like an obvious taste combination, but sometimes it pays to be adventurous.
“Pairing such distinctive flavours together challenges the drinker to experience something new and original,” says Burgess.
The tea takes the edge off the sweetness of the peaches for a complex twist on the typical summer spritz.
Recipe
2 peeled and chopped peach slices
Ice
1 cup brewed green tea, cold
30ml Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom
Soda water
(Makes one serving; contains one UK unit of alcohol)
Place the peach slices in the bottom of a tumbler and muddle to release the juices.
Add ice, pour in the cold green tea and Ketel One Botanical, stir and top with soda water.
For an even simpler way to upgrade your spritz, just serve Ketel One Botanical over ice topped with soda. Available in three delicious varieties including Peach & Orange Blossom, Grapefruit & Rose and Mint & Cucumber, Ketel One Botanical is made with vodka distilled with botanicals and infused with natural flavours. Just the thing for inspired summer sipping.
For all the facts about alcohol, head to Drinkaware.
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