Cocktail hour
#16
Not so much a cocktail but Sol y Sombra is a good drink. Equal parts of sweet anis and brandy with lots of ice.
Dangerous stuff as it's a full 40% before the ice!
I like Pimms but always add a good slug of gin otherwise it's a bit weak. The classic herb to add is borage although mint is a good alternative. The fruit can be what you like but typically it's apples, orange and lemon and sometimes strawberries. Some people add cucumber slices.
There used to be six versions but the only one to survive is No 1 - the gin based version.
There are some DIY versions based on Vermouth and Cointreau and Gin but I have never had one that tasted quite right.
Dangerous stuff as it's a full 40% before the ice!
I like Pimms but always add a good slug of gin otherwise it's a bit weak. The classic herb to add is borage although mint is a good alternative. The fruit can be what you like but typically it's apples, orange and lemon and sometimes strawberries. Some people add cucumber slices.
There used to be six versions but the only one to survive is No 1 - the gin based version.
There are some DIY versions based on Vermouth and Cointreau and Gin but I have never had one that tasted quite right.
#17
I still enjoy a Brandy Sour, or a Gin, Ginger Beer (not ginger ale) and lime, lots of ice, tall glass on a hot afternoon although truth be told its usually a G&T or standard Pink Gin.
#19
When we spent some time in Cyprus a Brandy Sour was almost the national drink.
2 measures of Cypriot Brandy ( no flavour at all!)
1 measure of lemon squash
A few drops of Angostura Bitters
Top up with clear fizzy lemonade or Soda water.
Lots of ice
It was a very dangerous tipple as Cypriot brandy is dire - just a distillation with coloring and flavoring - very mild tasting but a full 40% alcohol.
They tend to pour very strong ones (the Brandy as about the same price as the lemonade) so it can catch you unawares.
The other strange habit that the locals had was to drink Johnnie Walker Black Label with their meals instead of wine.
Having tasted much Cypriot wine I think I can understand why!
2 measures of Cypriot Brandy ( no flavour at all!)
1 measure of lemon squash
A few drops of Angostura Bitters
Top up with clear fizzy lemonade or Soda water.
Lots of ice
It was a very dangerous tipple as Cypriot brandy is dire - just a distillation with coloring and flavoring - very mild tasting but a full 40% alcohol.
They tend to pour very strong ones (the Brandy as about the same price as the lemonade) so it can catch you unawares.
The other strange habit that the locals had was to drink Johnnie Walker Black Label with their meals instead of wine.
Having tasted much Cypriot wine I think I can understand why!








