Recipe: Cosset's Christmas Cocktails

Lavender syrup can be made by infusing water with dried culinary lavender and reducing with organic sugar. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Impress the in-laws with these Christmas themed drinks, designed by the lovely folk at Mt Albert's Cosset Cafe.

Vanilla Lavender Martini

Ingredients:

• 30mls lavender syrup

• 30mls vanilla vodka

• 15mls Fresh squeezed lemon juice

1. Shake and strain ingredients into a martini glass.

2. Pour over ice and garnish with lemon zest.

You can buy Lavender syrup from Cosset or Lavender syrup can be made by infusing water with dried culinary lavender and reducing with organic sugar. Approximately
1:1 ratio of sugar to water is required.

Festive Whiskey Cocktail

1. Layer ice cubes and generous slices of orange (blood orange works beautifully) into a highball glass.

2. Into the glass measure:

•30ml of Hibiscus, ginger and clove syrup.

•15ml of Irish whiskey.

3. Top with soda water and stir.

Leave out the whiskey and it's still delicious.

Whiskey cocktail: Cosset's Hibiscus ginger and clove syrup is made using dried hibiscus flower, whole cloves, fresh ginger root and organic sugar. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Chai Nog

To make two small serves of chai nog:

1. Scoop 1.5 tsp of Edmonds custard powder into a saucepan.

2. Measure one cup of almond milk.

3. Add a little of the almond milk to the custard powder and combine into a thin paste.

4. Add the rest of the milk.

5. Add 30 mL of Cosset chai syrup.

6. Continually stir mixture over a medium heat until the liquid coats the back of the spoon.

7. Remove from the heat and cool for 5 minutes.

8. Stir in 1/4 cup of brandy.

Drink warm or chilled over ice with a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg.

Chai nog: Cosset's take on a Christmas classic. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Get more details on Cosset's page on Facebook and drop by their cafe at 1087 New North Road, Mt Albert. To make sure you're on the list for more recipes, sign up to our newsletter. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.