• Champagne Rita
    Serves 2

    Place 60ml (¼ cup) lime juice, 60ml (¼ cup) tequila and 60ml (¼ cup) triple sec in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into champagne flutes. Top with an off-dry sparkling wine and serve.

    Le Cru
    Serves 2
    In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake 60ml (¼ cup) gin, 60ml (¼ cup) absinthe, 60ml (¼ cup) vodka and 30ml (2 tbsp) lime juice. Strain into glasses and top with lemonade. (Recipe from www.cocktailmaking.co.uk)

    Peppermint breeze
    Serves 2

    Fill 2 glasses with ice and to each glass add the juice of 1 lime, 50ml whisky and a splash of crème de menthe. Top with soda water and serve. (Recipe from Complete Cocktails, R&R Publications Marketing)

    Diplomat
    Serves 2

    In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake 100ml vodka, 200ml pineapple juice, 100ml melon liqueur and 10ml (2 tsp) lemon juice. Strain and serve. (Recipe from Complete Cocktails, R&R Publications Marketing)

    French 95
    Serves 2

    In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake 45ml (3 tbsp) cognac and 10ml (2 tsp) lemon juice. Strain into glasses and top with clear or rosé bubbly. (Recipe from Complete Cocktails, R&R Publications Marketing)

    Wine editor’s note:
    Cognac can be exchanged for a good South African brandy.