Summer Spritzers
There are very few things that you can enjoy about Delhi summers. The one that hits the top of that list is fruits. The variety of fruits that we get in the summer is amazing and we really need to celebrate them a lot more than we do. Now since the lockdown has made most of us (read: all of us) create a closer bond with alcohol, these spritzers were bound to happen. Here are four ways that you can make the most out of this dreaded summer with some boozy summer spritzers! Do make these drinks and if you are short on tropical treats, there is a formula here: lemon juice and vodka as the base + a fresh herb as aromatic element + Fresh fruit!
Jamun Lavender Spritzer
Lavender is a very difficult ingredient to work with because it seems to leave the palate with a soapy texture. But an infusion with Jamun, a fruit that has a greater mouthful makes this the perfect combination!
Ingredients
4-5 pieces of Jamun
1/2 teaspoon of dried lavender
Juice of 1/2 lemon
30 ml Vodka
100 ml soda water
Method
In a bowl, muddle lavender and Jamun. Add the mixture to a tumbler (with the seeds)
To the same tumbler add vodka, lemon juice, and few ice cubes. Shake well and strain.
Fill the remainder of the glass with soda water
Watermelon Mint Spritzer
Mint and watermelon are a flavour combo as good as ham and cheese! Plus making this drink gives you a reason to cut up a giant watermelon and make the cutest little balls of fruit haha.
Ingredients
3-4 pieces of watermelon, balled
Juice of 1/2 lemon
30 ml Vodka
60 ml tonic water
Handful fresh mint leaves
Method
Use a 1/2 teaspoon and scoop out balls of watermelon
Slap mint leaves to release oils and to a tumbler
Add the juice of 1/2 lemon, vodka, and some cubes of ice. Shake well.
Strain into a glass, add your watermelon, pour tonic water to the brim
Cherry Basil Lemonade
Cherries in general don’t have a whole lot of flavour, but if you add some acid to the fruit and that classic cherry flavour seems to bloom beautifully. Pro tip: Make the lemonade a day in advance and you will get this beautiful pink hue plus a more concentrated flavour!
Ingredients
3-4 cherries, pitted
Juice of 1/2 lemon
30 ml Vodka
60 ml tonic water (optional)
Handful fresh basil leaves
Method
In a tumbler add cherries, vodka, lemon juice and ice
Gently slap some basil leaves on your hand to activate the oils and add them to the tumbler as well. Shake well and strain into a long-stemmed glass
Add some tonic water to add some fizz.
Lychee Rosemary Spritzer
By far one of the coolest fruits of the summer is lychees. Eating lychees is like a task. It’s sticky, difficult to peel and its seeds look like cockroaches (I used to scare my mom by leaving them all over the house. She would then beat me when there were ants everywhere). The Rosemary adds an aroma of a grown-up drink. It’s not the most common flavour pairings but IT WORKS!
Ingredients
6-7 lychees pitted
Juice of 1/2 lemon
30 ml Vodka
60 ml tonic water (optional)
Handful fresh rosemary leaves
Method
In a tumbler, add lemon juice, vodka and ice.
Slap rosemary leaves to activate the oils and add to the tumbler. Shake well.
In a highball glass, add lychees and muddle well. Add the mix from the tumbler, garnish with some rosemary and enjoy!
