Hectic Host: One Afternoon Two Bottles: Simple 2 Ingredient Cocktail Recipes

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Seems like summer has finally arrived this year. Here are some simple ideas for a sunny Sunday afternoon, a couple of bottles and a few friends. 

I long discovered the error of my ways when having people over for drinks and leading with the welcoming question ‘what can I get you?’ After the third trip back from the off license in one afternoon I decided on my strategy and have stuck to it ever since; don’t ask; tell! Deciding what you are going to offer your guests is much easier than attempting to run a fully stocked cocktail bar; keep it simple with recipes that require only a couple of ingredients and you cannot go wrong. For a really simple Sunday brunch I buy lots of shellfish from F C Soper’s in Nunhead or Moxon’s on Lordship Lane which I pass around piled on platters with garlic mayonnaise and granary bread from Ayres served with Black Velvets; equal measures of Guinness and Champagne, cava or prosecco. 

BarFlyUk.com is a bespoke mobile cocktail bar service based in East Dulwich, owner Andy Seach specialises in working with small craft producers. Andy’s ideal afternoon tipple with friends would be Martin Miller’s Gin (£28.57 from Spirited Wines, Lordship Lane) served with cloudy apple juice, or gin and tonics garnished with strawberries dusted in black pepper. 

Tim Oakley, owner of the House of Tippler suggests Elderflower Collins – gin, elderflower cordial, soda, squeeze of lemon, ice and a slice. Or SipSmith Summer Cups -  SipSmith Summer Cup (£18 from Majestic in West Dulwich), lemonade, cucumber, mint, lemon, strawberries - served long over ice. And probably more appropriately given the British summers;  Dark‘n' Stormy - dark rum, ginger beer, a couple of squeezes of fresh lime - served long over ice with a lime garnish.

Rory, cocktail guru at the Begging Bowl on Bellenden Road, pushes the boat out with his Watermelon Daiquiris - 50ml white rum, 40ml freshly blended and sieved watermelon juice, 20ml fresh lime juice and 25ml simple syrup – shaken hard over ice and strained and served straight up in a martini glass or alternatively in a rocks glass with a sugar rim and lime wheel.

Tim from Franklin's Farm Shop recommends Gin Fizzes with Little Bird Gin – which is lovingly distilled in Peckham Rye and is £29.50 from Franklins Farm Shop - soda water and lemon juice. Alternatively Tim suggests a Little Bird Gin and Tonic with a slice and squeeze of grapefruit.

Lawrence's Hectic Host column appears in the July issues of the SE Magazine group of publications, please click here to read on line. 

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