Cocktails to Make Use of Your Harvest

August is the month when farmers get to work harvesting the crops that they have so
lovingly tended to over the year. There is an abundance of seasonal fruit and
vegetables at farm shops, farmers markets and in personal vegetable patches
right now. What better way to use them up than in a variety of cocktail
recipes?

Bloody Mary

When you have more tomatoes than you know what to do with, making tomato juice is an obvious solution. It is easy to do when you have a juicer, but even without one
you can still make the base for your Bloody Mary. Simply boil your tomatoes
with a tiny amount of water and then strain off the seeds and skin. Finish with
a little salt and your juice is ready to go! Add vodka, lemon juice, pepper,
Worcestershire sauce, tabasco sauce and celery salt to make the freshest Bloody
Mary cocktail.

Raspberry Martini

The prolific nature of the raspberry bush means there is always plenty of these
delicious morsels to go around in August. Take a handful and muddle them in the
bottom of a cocktail shaker with some sugar syrup. Add vodka and Chambord for
the most delicious Martini of them all and include a few raspberry garnishes
for good measure!

Peach Bellini

Is there anything more delicious than a peach fresh from the tree? Well, actually, a Peach Bellini must come close! This easy-to-make cocktail is made up of
champagne, white rum and a single peach, all liquidized in a blender with ice
and then poured into a cocktail glass. A slice of peach is an essential
garnish.

Melon Medley

This refreshing summer mocktail makes use of those big juicy melons that can be
found everywhere at this time of year. Combining melon with lemon and orange
juice makes for a super refreshing beverage that will keep you in the garden
party mood without getting you drunk – ideal for the designated driver!

Gin Basil Smash

If you have the time and patience, you can actually grow basil on your windowsill for most
of the year. If not, however, then August is the best time to enjoy this delicious
herb. Muddle some of the green leaves with sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker
before adding gin, ice and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Shake and then pour
into whiskey glass for a drink that is fresh and incredibly tasty. Don’t forget
your basil topping!

Since August is the month of plenty, you can enjoy a whole selection of cocktails
based on the freshest seasonal ingredients. Its time to get experimenting!