Bountiful bubbly & luscious liqueurs

Champagne Rita
Serves 2
Place 60ml (¼ cup) lime juice, 60ml (¼ cup) tequila and 60ml (¼ cup) triple sec in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into champagne flutes. Top with an off-dry sparkling wine and serve.

Le Cru
Serves 2
In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake 60ml (¼ cup) gin, 60ml (¼ cup) absinthe, 60ml (¼ cup) vodka and 30ml (2 tbsp) lime juice. Strain into glasses and top with lemonade. (Recipe from www.cocktailmaking.co.uk)

Peppermint breeze
Serves 2
Fill 2 glasses with ice and to each glass add the juice of 1 lime, 50ml whisky and a splash of crème de menthe. Top with soda water and serve. (Recipe from Complete Cocktails, R&R Publications Marketing)

Diplomat
Serves 2
In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake 100ml vodka, 200ml pineapple juice, 100ml melon liqueur and 10ml (2 tsp) lemon juice. Strain and serve. (Recipe from Complete Cocktails, R&R Publications Marketing)

French 95
Serves 2
In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake 45ml (3 tbsp) cognac and 10ml (2 tsp) lemon juice. Strain into glasses and top with clear or rosé bubbly. (Recipe from Complete Cocktails, R&R Publications Marketing)

Wine editor’s note: Cognac can be exchanged for a good South African brandy.