I'm always trying to think of new ways to use citrus, from baking, to savoury dishes, to a hot toddy, to cocktails. Limes are so abundant and cheap in winter it feels like we should be having Mexican feasts, drinking mojitos and making ceviche now - even though those things are traditionally associated with summer, when limes are about $40kg. Cocktails are a good one though, and something I've got more and more into making over the past few years.
Having a few good-quality bottles of spirits in your cabinet is a great base for making drinks. I love gin, especially learning about all the artisan producers around NZ and the world, and all the different ways botanicals are used. I've also got into good-quality darker spirits and have enjoyed teaching myself the classic cocktails - old fashioneds, negronis and manhattans especially.
These ones utilise the abundance of limes while maintaining a slightly wintery feel, thanks to the fresh ginger, and the cranberry syrup. They're simple to make and a great start to an evening.
Dark and stormy with a twist
Ginger is great in winter, limes are cheap, and a splash of rum is probably just what the doctor ordered. This is a bit of a mixture of a mojito, a moscow mule, and a dark and stormy. Whatever you call it, it's a great combination.
