Homemade summer cup recipe

Ingredients

• 1 part port
• 1 part Cointreau or other orange liqueur
• 2 parts sweet vermouth (a cheap one is fine)
• 3 parts gin

Method

You can scale this recipe really easily, using it to make anything from a jug to a bottle.

1. Mix the ingredients together in the ratio given.

2. Once mixed, it keeps for ages in a sealed bottle. An old wine bottle is ideal - or you can use a more interesting bottle and give it as a gift.

3. Use one part summer cup to four parts fizzy lemonade. Serve in a tall glass with a garnish of fresh mint, some thin slices of cucumber, strawberry, lemon, and orange, and masses of ice.

4. Enjoy!

TIPS

It’s worth using a decent gin as it really does make a difference to the finished drink. Living in Wales, we use Brecon Gin from the Penderyn distillery.

The great thing about this drink is you can customise it to suit your taste, so don’t be afraid to play around with the quantities because half the fun is experimenting with the blend. I’ve got a friend who serves it with sparkling mineral water instead of lemonade as she prefers a less sweet version.

Or, you can use it for a wonderful – and potent! – cocktail, mixing equal quantities of prosecco, sloe gin, and summer cup in a Champagne glass.