The Measure
Try a zesty gin fizz, summer aperitifs and non-alcoholic canned cocktails this month
Classic gin fizz
5 MINUTES | SERVES 1 | EASY | EFFORTLESS
This delicate and summery gin cocktail takes just five minutes to make. The egg white isn’t essential but does add a lovely silky texture. To make it vegan, swap the egg white for 1 tbsp of aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas).
caster sugar 200g gin (we used Warner’s London Dry Gin) 60ml
lemon juice 30ml, plus a slice to garnish
egg white 1 (optional)
sparkling water
1 Put the sugar in a pan with 100ml of water and stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Cool completely and pour into a sterilised bottle – this sugar syrup will keep in the fridge for up to a month.
2 Put the gin, lemon juice, 1 tbsp of the sugar syrup and egg white, if using, in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds then strain into a chilled collins glass and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a slice of lemon.
Cheers to… savoury martinis
Here at olive we’ve been spotting savoury martinis on cocktail menus, with bars serving this classic with a salty edge, from Soho-based Soma’s Mooli made with a warming curry leaf vermouth, to a briny kombu-accented creation at Silverleaf in east London. It’s a good option for those who prefer a less sweet cocktail, especially as an aperitif. If you’re making a savoury martini at home the easiest option is a gibson, a martini garnished with a pickled onion in place of an olive or lemon twist. Or try a dirty martini, which features olive brine for a bold savoury twang (visit olivemagazine.com for our recipe). Other brines also work well, such as gherkins or cornichons, or from a jar of preserved lemons or pickled jalapeños for citrussy and spicy twists.
3 to try… summer beers
Lakedown Brewing Co American Red (£36/12, lakedownbrewing.com)
Rich, smooth and malty, this beer delivers a strong stone fruit flavour with a hint of spice, while still being refreshing.
Magic Rock High Wire Tropical (£3/440ml, Morrisons)
A summery spin on Magic Rock’s popular pale ale, this has crisp, piney bitterness, with flamboyant tropical fruit balanced by elegant notes of bitter orange.
Adnams X Sierra Nevada Eastern Edge (£26.99/12, adnams.co.uk)
Suffolk’s Adnams has partnered with US brewery Sierra Nevada for this pale ale, which uses US and UK hops for a blend of floral, citrus and tropical notes.
Home bar hacks: capsule glass collection
A beautiful glass can really elevate your cocktail, and if you plan on investing in quality pieces here’s what to start with.
Try tall highball glasses for long drinks such as a G&T, tom collins and mojito, while heavybottomed tumblers are perfect for measures of neat spirits, and short cocktails served over ice, including an old fashioned. Large wine glasses are perfect for spritzes, while coupe or nick & nora glasses are suitable for spirit-forward cocktails served straight up with no ice, such as a margarita.
We still love… canned cocktails
Canned cocktails have exploded in popularity – and quality – and those going booze-free needn’t miss out as non-alcoholic brand Everleaf has turned its award-winning aperitifs into canned spritzes. Expect masses of vibrant botanical flavour, crisp bubbles and pleasing bitterness in three expressions – Forest (saffron, vanilla and orange blossom); Mountain (cherry blossom, rosehip and strawberry); and Marine (seaweed and bergamot). £30/12, everleafdrinks.com
Drink of the month: aperitifs
Now that summer has arrived it’s time to consider the charms of aperitifs – perfect for warm-weather sipping. These are drinks designed to whet the appetite before dinner, and are usually drunk alongside salty snacks and nibbles, such as olives, crisps, cheeses, charcuterie and pickles.
The concept of the aperitif first originated in Italy but is widespread across Europe, and has recently become popular in the UK. Dry and/or bitter flavours are more likely to stimulate your appetite so a classic aperitif will lean towards this end of the flavour spectrum. Dry, light and fresh white wines served chilled are an easy option – try a sauvignon blanc or unoaked chardonnay. And fizz is always a winner: choose crémant for a budget-friendly option that tastes like champagne. Fortified wines are also common – think dry sherries such as fino, manzanilla and amontillado, and red and white vermouths.
Cocktails are the most crowd-pleasing choice of aperitif, and bittersweet ones work best. Be judicious with stronger concoctions such as a martini or negroni – more than one of these on an empty stomach will leave you feeling decidedly woozy – but lower-ABV drinks including a spritz, vermouth or port with tonic, or sparkling wines splashed with a little crème de cassis or elderflower cordial, are delicious.
Try it: Savoia Americano Rosso. This new vino aperitivo from Turin lies between a bitter Italian amaro such as Campari and a vermouth in character. With 20 different botanicals, including rhubarb, gentian and grapefruit, it’s elegant and layered, with full-bodied citrus and red fruits, herbaceousness and an appetising bitterness. It’s delicate enough to sip over ice, or mix with sweet vermouth and sparkling water in an americano (£19.95/50cl, The Whisky Exchange).
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