• Basil-infused gin martini

    Known as James Bond’s signature drink, we’ve given the martini a modern twist with a fragrant basil-infused syrup. The syrup can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge until you need it.

    INGREDIENTS

    BASIL SYRUP

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup basil

    MARTINI

    • 2 cups gin
    • 1/2 cup dry vermouth
    • 3/4 cup basil syrup
    • Handful fresh basil leaves
    • Strips of fresh lemon zest

    METHOD

    BASIL SYRUP

    ADD water, sugar and basil to a pot over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes. Once cool, blend the syrup and pass it through a fine sieve.

    MARTINI

    COMBINE the gin, vermouth and basil syrup in a cocktail shaker along with a few ice cubes. Shake well to chill.

    STRAIN the cocktail into 8 chilled Martini glasses. Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves and a few strips of citrus zest to serve.

    FOOD TEAM TIP: Because martinis aren’t served with ice, it’s important to pre-chill your serving glasses. This will keep the drinks crisp and cold for longer. 


    Carrot cake martini

    We’ve teamed up with award-winning South African mixologist, Owen O’Reilly, to bring you this Easter-inspired carrot cake martini.

    INGREDIENTS

    • 40ml gin
    • 10ml tawny Port
    • 35ml fresh carrot juice
    • 15ml carrot cake syrup (recipe here)
    • 1 bar spoon mascarpone
    • 1 bar spoon of whole/crushed pecan nut, to garnish

    METHOD

    COMBINE all the ingredients, except for the pecan nut, in a shaker. Stir or whisk until the mascarpone has dissolved.
    FILL with ice and shake hard for 15 – 20 seconds. Fine-strain into a chilled martini/coupe glass.
    GARNISH with the whole/crushed pecan nut.

    Lemon cream martini

    Is there a way to combine the indulgences of booze and dessert? Well, a lemon cream martini, of course.  This creamy, zesty concoction ensures that you have your dessert and drink it too.

    INGREDIENTS

    • 1 tot of citrus-flavoured vodka
    • 4 tots of plain vodka
    • 10ml (2 tsp) vanilla bean syrup
    • 20ml (4 tsp) coconut milk
    • 2 tots of lemon juice

    METHOD

    ADD ice cubes to a shaker with citrus-flavoured vodka, plain vodka, vanilla bean syrup, coconut milk, and lemon juice.
    SHAKE until well blended.
    POUR through a strainer into a chilled glass and garnish with lemon or zest.

    Litchi martini

    A quick and easy cocktail for summer! Sip this Litchi martini next to the pool, on the beach or simply while you are lounging outside for some ultimate summer-time relaxation!

    INGREDIENTS

    • 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger (sliced)
    • 4 fresh or tinned litchis
    • 5ml (1 tsp) simple syrup
    • 60ml (¼ cup) citrus-flavoured vodka
    • Ice cubes

    METHOD

    ADD the ginger (sliced) and litchis to a cocktail shaker.

    MUDDLE until the litchis and ginger have released their juice.

    ADD the simple syrup, citrus-flavoured vodka, and a few cubes of ice.

    SHAKE and strain into a glass.

    GARNISH with litchis.


    Dark espresso surprise martini

    The rich chocolatey character of The Legendary Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey is superb in a Dark Espresso Surprise, Dark Silkie’s take on an espresso martini.

    INGREDIENTS

    • 50 ml Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey
    • 30 ml chilled espresso
    • 15 ml coffee liqueur
    • 10 ml simple syrup

    METHOD

    HARD SHAKE the whiskey, chilled espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup with ice.

    SINGLE STRAIN into a chilled coupe glass.

    SPRINKLE with chocolate powder and serve.


    A shot of Christmas martini-style aperitif

    A classic martini-style aperitif, perfumed with the flavour of hazelnut and vanilla.

    INGREDIENTS

    • 25ml vanilla vodka, well chilled
    • 25ml Crème de Cacao liqueur
    • 25ml Frangelico liqueur
    • Ice cubes

    INSTRUCTIONS

    COMBINE the ingredients with a few cubes of ice in a cocktail shaker or a glass jar sealed with a lid.

    SHAKE vigorously for 10 seconds.

    STRAIN into martini glasses and serve.


    ALSO SEE: 6 Drinks for international gin & tonic day

    6 Drinks for international gin & tonic day

    Feature Image: Getty Images

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