Summer Entertaining ideas for drinks and nibbles, courtesy of the Complete Chimenea Co.

There can be few better ways to get a chim party off to a good start than by serving some cleverly-concocted cocktails. They warm the spirits for the al fresco treats to come.

A “measure” in the following recipes refers to a standard measure of 45mls or 3 tbsp, or a “jigger”. However, you can make the measure the size of your choice, as long as the ingredients are kept in the same ratios as indicated in the recipes.

All hot drinks listed can be made on the hob or on your chimenea. A medium or high fire is required.
Cold drinks symbol  Cold drinks Hot drinks symbol  Hot drinks
Alcoholic drinks symbol  Alcoholic drinks Non alcoholic drinks symbol  Non alcoholic drinks

Cold drinks symbol Alcoholic drinks symbolThe Perfect Margarita
THE classic drink from Mexico.
Serves 1

2 lime wedges
coarse sea salt
1½ measures tequila
½ measure Triple Sec or
Cointreau
1½ measures freshly squeezed
lime juice
crushed ice
Wipe the rim of the glass with one of the lime wedges, then frost the rim by dipping it into the salt. Combine the tequila and Triple Sec or Cointreau in a cocktail shaker or jug. Add the lime juice and ice. Shake (or stir!) and strain into the glass. Garnish with the other lime wedge.
Tequila is distilled from the blue agave plant. This cactus-like plant, related to the lily family, is grown legally in only five regions of Mexico. The plant takes 7-12 years to mature, and only the pina centre of the plant is used to make tequila. The pina is cooked and pressed to extract the liquid, which is then distilled. Each local tequila house has its own method of distillation.
 

Cold drinks symbol Alcoholic drinks symbol Tequila Sunrise

Serves 1


1 measure tequila
4 measures orange juice
dash of grenadine
salt
ice
Frost the rim of the glass by dipping it into salt, place ice in the glass, and pour the tequila and orange juice over it. Add a dash of grenadine.
 

Cold drinks symbol Alcoholic drinks symbol Caribbean Bay Breeze

Serves 1

2 measures Malibu
4 measures cranberry juice
1 measure pineapple juice
ice
Shake the Malibu, cranberrry juice and pineapple juice together, then pour into an ice-filled glass.
 

Cold drinks symbol Alcoholic drinks symbol Caipirinha

Chimenea sleeping in hammock
This is a potent little number from Brazil. I remember falling out of a hammock courtesy of this far too more-ish cocktail.
Serves 1

1 large lime
1½ measures white rum or cachaca
1 tbsp brown sugar

Cut the lime into eighths, squeeze the juice into a tall glass, then drop in the lime sections too. Add the brown sugar and mash together with the back of a spoon. Half fill the glass with crushed ice. Add the white rum or cachaca and mix well.
 
Watch this space - more recipes coming soon!