Vodka. Elderflower Liqueur. Grapefruit Bitters. Tonic

Had leftover mango purée from making mango cheesecake and a shot of GALLERY Mango Crush left in a disproportionately large bottle, so...

Refreshing!

Vodka, Midori, Malibu, Triple Sec & Pineapple Juice

Happy National Cocktail Day — and a belated nod to Moscow Mule Day (three weeks late, though never quite late enough for our very own mules working on behalf of the Kremlin). This Test Kitchen version packs a piquant ginger syrup — fresh and ground — with just enough snap to maybe knock a little sense into the wilfully complacent. За здоровье!

london vodka, lavender honey, creme de cacao, milk, lemon, mint

BRIEF: “Hojicha cream, vodka, Maldon salt, hazelnut, white cacao, fizz creamy | decadent savoury.” SOOT’S TAKE: Dominated by hazelnut. I wish I could’ve appreciated the hojicha more. Anyway, it was fun to try and I thought I’d try it since their high tea cocktails aren’t outrageously priced.

My libation of choice before attempting to make dinner happen at an earthly hour.

Vodka, Nutmeg and Cloves, Kumquat, Fresh Lime, Hawthorn Dates, Roselle

My inaugural Tito’s Vodka cocktail, elevated by a tipple of Baileys & espresso. Might put it on the aperitif roster. If it happens... ☕️🍸

ketel 1 vodka, kaffir lime, lemongrass, galangal and chilli

Can’t go wrong with 🍉, mint and a shot of vodka.

Belvedere, peach schnapps, Midori, orange juice and pineapple juice to tide me through the day, if not the prospect of the next 4 days... 🍹

Vodka, citrus, Persian cucumber, mint, soda

Spiked grapefruit soda. The vodka kind of ruins it. Unfortunately.

The color came from a bunch of fresh-squeezed calamansi limes which seemed to overpower the thyme. At least I got to use some thyme simple syrup I’d made a several weeks ago.

BRIEF: “vodka, espresso, cold brew, hazelnut liqueur, earl-grey infused syrup” SOOT’S TAKE: This tasted and WAS potent (the presence of hazelnut liqueur and Earl Grey syrup was moot). I should’ve dropped 2 antacids before consuming. 😑

BRIEF: “Vodka, Sour Liqueur, Grape” SOOT’S TAKE: One of their happy hour cocktails on offer. Kind of cough medicine-y so will most certainly not be repeating. 😷