Summer cocktails in full force at Drake and Morgan

Drake and Morgan establishments just scream summer – there’s something about the whimsical fun of The Fable, the fresh conservatory of The Parlour, or the cooling tones of The Drift that make us think of sunny lunches and long, languorous evenings. What’s more, their cocktail list is a triumph of pretty and perky libations that is bound to get you in the holiday spirit.

All the usual suspects are present of course –Mojito? Check. Old Fashioned? Check. Famously fabulous Bloody Mary? Indeed. These come under ‘Cleaner Cocktails’ – carefully crafted, wonderful to look at, and great to taste.  After this things are spruced up a little with ‘Leaner Cocktails’. These are tried and tested libations given an inventive twist. We love the burst of fruit that accompanies the silky texture of the Lavender Club – gin, lavender, egg white, lemon and raspberry – and couldn’t fault the Raspberry Daiquiri. Watching your figure? Have no fear, as there are three skinny options on the menu, including the exotic burst of bubbles that is the Reina Cubano  – Bacardi ocho rum, mint, angustora, lime, agave and prosecco.

But the cocktails that really herald the warmer months are their ‘Fresher Cocktails’. The Aperol 1919 perfectly blends the sharpness of rhubarb with Aperol, apple and the bubbles of prosecco for a deep pink cocktail that is pleasantly sweet but has an underlying bite. The delicate flavours of mint green tea and coriander are mixed with vermouth, vodka and pomegranate molasses for a stunning take on a martini in the Beauty of the Orient, and the Kumquat Tommys, with tequila, kumquat, agave, lime and kumquat shrub, blows any ideas about a margarita out of the water. One of our favourites? The Mimosa NYC. This pimped up version not only uses prosecco and orange juice, but also kumquat shrub and kwai feh lychee. We can’t think of a better way to start the day.

Drake and Morgan are also keeping things topical, with their Wimbledon inspired cocktail Strawberry Fields, that makes the most of strawberries and cream. Hennessey cognac is shaken with fresh muddled strawberries, and perked up with gomme and bitters, for a fruity and flirty drink that’s sure to be the star of centre court. The cocktail also comes served with a thimble of fresh cream and some strawberries for accompanying snackage.

And, if you’re so enamoured by their cocktails that you want to create them at home, then you can find out how at one of Drake and Morgan’s Mixology classes, designed to let you learn while also indulging in a tipple or two!

So, even though we might not be able to rely on the sun shining, there’s one thing we can count on this season – Drake and Morgan will be providing us with some suitably  summery sips to get us in the mood!