Cocktails calling

With the rain set to make an unwelcome return this weekend (of course, it's a bank holiday), we're making the most of the last of the summer with a cocktail - or two!

Created by Charlie McCarthy, Creative Director and Purveyor of AllAboutTheCocktail, these two cocktail recipes will give you an enduring taste of sunshine, whatever the weather does.

Tullamore Glasses Up Cocktail (left)

Ideal for a summer wedding or outdoor cocktail party. This champagne style cocktail develops on the vanilla, and soft honey and spice notes in Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey. Inspired by the ‘Crusta’ cocktail. Can be equally enjoyed by non-whiskey drinkers.

Ingredients

• 40 ml Tullamore Dew
• 10 ml Agave Syrup
• 25 ml cloudy apple juice
• 5 ml fresh lemon juice
• Dash Peychauds bitters
• Approx 30ml champagne.
• Vanilla sugar. Lemon Zest

Method

Prepare a flute glass with a vanilla sugar rim.

Shake all ingredients except champagne together.

Fine Strain into the flute.

Gently top with champagne.

Zest lemon twist over the top of the glass, spiral and drop in to the glass.

The Black Tea Grape Smash (right)

Tea cocktails are very on-trend right now and here's a refreshing number to enjoy this Summer (hurry while it lasts!). Black tea provides a crisp tannic edge.

Ingredients

• 35ml vodka
• 15ml elderflower cordial
• 5ml fresh lemon juice
• 4 white seedless grapes
• Black tea reduction

To make the tea reduction simply brew a very strong cuppa, and allow to cool. AllAboutTheCocktail recommends loose leaf Assam from 'We Are Tea' (www.wearetea.com), but at a push an ordinary breakfast tea will do.

This is a crushed ice drink, so to make this at hope simply wrap ice cubes in a clean tea towel and bash with a rolling pin.

Method

Crush 3 grapes and add in to a tall glass.

Add all other ingredients except the tea reduction.

Top with ice.

Churn with a long spoon.

Top with more ice to a peak.

Drizzle a little tea reduction - no more than 15ml - over the top.

Garnish with a grape and add a straw.

Enjoy.