Cocktail hour is my favourite hour of the day! It normally means I am at home, relaxing and spending time with the people I like. Of course a good cocktail is also present. However, with my current desire to cut back on the amount of alcohol I am drinking, I am looking more at the (badly named) Mocktail. Maybe I should come up with a better name? It is also helpful when you have friends that are pregnant, wanting to be pregnant or generally following a 'healthier' lifestyle. I am also in no way telling anyone to cut back or change what they are doing, no-one likes a TV evangelist, but if like me you fancy a bit of break, you can't go far wrong than a homemade cordial / syrup, and best of all, they can drank on their own, added to the dreaded mocktail or just crack on and add suitable booze. This goes particularly well with Amaretto or Vanilla Vodka, apparently... Recipe based on Newton & Pott.
Ingredients
3 Ripe Peaches, bigger the better!
1.5ltrs Water
225g Sugar
Juice of 1 large, juicy lemon
12-15 Basil Leaves, depending on size and preference
Method
1. Peel the peaches, easier if dunked in boiling water then cooled in ice water
2. Put half the water and the sugar in a pan with the chopped up peaches, bring to the boil and simmer to dissolve the sugar and soften the fruit
3. Remove from the heat and cool slightly (about 30 minutes) then add the basil
4. Using a food processor or blender, blitz the whole lot until smooth. Add the lemon juice and the rest of the water, to your taste. The less water, the more intense the flavour
5. Strain and bottle. Easy as that!
6. Drink on its own, or add to cocktail / mocktail
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