Recipe Inspiration

The Capilano Guide to Summer Cocktails

Sunsets are getting later, the weather is warming, and the holiday season is well and truly upon us – this calls for a celebration!
Dust off the outdoor table and say cheers to the party season with these five deliciously honey-filled, uplifting and brightly flavoured cocktail recipes.

 

Sip on a refreshing Honey Bee Spritz while lounging poolside, impress at the family barbecue with Honey Beer, or relax on the veranda with your very own happy-hour Honey Lemon Sour.

Whichever one you choose – shake, strain, and enjoy the taste of Spring-Summer!

Capilano Tip:

Swap out the sugar with your own homemade honey simple syrup. Get experimental and test out a range of different honeys in our range with each cocktail. Try our Aussie Coastal Honey for a sweet-savoury addition to your spritz, add a bold honey flavour with Manuka Honey, or keep it light and fresh with Organic/Raw Honey.

Bee's Knees Cocktail

Gin, lemon and sweet sweet honey – simple but delicious. This uplifting cocktail is a trusty classic for the Spring/Summer season. You’ll want to make it again, and again!

 

Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS
  • 30g (1 tbsp) Capilano Pure Honey
  • 2 tsp hot water
  • 60ml lemon juice 
  • 120ml (4 shots) gin 
  • Lemon twist, to garnish
METHOD
  1. Make honey syrup by dissolving honey in hot water, set aside to cool.
  2. To make lemon twist, use peeler or channel knife to peel lemon.
  3. Juice lemon.
  4. Pour honey syrup, lemon juice and gin into cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake.
  5. Strain into glass, garnish with lemon twist.

Lemon Honey Sour

Bring happy hour to your home with this impressive Lemon Honey Sour. Whisky and honey balance perfectly, creating the ultimate comforting (yet invigorating) cocktail.

 

Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS
  • 120ml (4 shots) bourbon or whiskey
  • 60ml lemon juice
  • 14g (2 tsp) Capilano Pure Honey
  • 1 tsp hot water
  • 2 egg whites (optional)
  • Ice
METHOD
  1. Make honey syrup by dissolving honey in hot water, set aside to cool.
  2. Add whiskey, lemon juice, honey syrup and egg white to cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  3. Place lid on cocktail shaker and shake for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Strain liquid into glass over ice to serve.

Honey Beer

You read that right… honey beer! And it’s delicious. This smooth, lightly sweetened cocktail is the ultimate refresher for a hot weekend afternoon or Spring barbecue. Once you’ve nailed the recipe, it’ll be a staple on your cocktail list.

 

Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS
  • 60ml (1 shot) gin
  • 40ml lemon juice
  • 30g (1 tbsp) Capilano Pure Honey
  • 2 tsp hot water
  • 300ml beer (we suggest a local IPA)
METHOD
  1. Make honey syrup by dissolving honey in hot water, set aside to cool.
  2. Combine gin, lemon juice and honey syrup in shaker with ice, shake and strain over ice.
  3. Pour beer slowly into the same glass and serve.

Honey Watermelon Refresher

Your new go-to Spring refresher – zingy lime, crisp watermelon and sweet floral honey. Brightly flavoured, with the perfect amount of sweetness. Best enjoyed poolside.

 

Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS
  • 30g (1 tbsp) Capilano Pure Honey 
  • 2 tsp hot water
  • 1 tsp coarse salt
  • 250ml (1 cup) strained watermelon juice
  • 30ml freshly-squeezed lime juice
  • 60ml (1 shot) gin
  • Grapefruit cut into wedges, to garnish
  • Rosemary, to garnish
METHOD
  1. Make honey syrup by dissolving honey in hot water, set aside to cool. 
  2. Pour small amount of honey syrup into saucer or small plate with lip. Transfer salt onto a similar separate plate.
  3. Dip glass rim into honey syrup, then salt and turn to coat evenly. Fill glass with ice.
  4. Combine watermelon juice, lime juice, gin and remaining honey syrup in shaker with ice, shake, strain into glass.
  5. Garnish with grapefruit and rosemary.

Honey Bee Spritz

Light, crisp and beautifully aromatic – this spritz will have you feeling a little fancy. Get the girls around for lunch, or make a memorable impression on cocktail night with this honey-filled, revitalising blend. Pairs perfectly with a cheeseboard.

 

Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS
  • 15g (2 tsp) Capilano Pure Honey
  • 15ml boiling water
  • 5 lemon verbena or basil leaves
  • 120ml (4 shots) Lillet Blanc
  • 30ml (1 shot) vodka
  • 30ml fresh lemon juice
  • 1 fresh thyme sprig
  • 120ml (½ cup) soda water, chilled
  • ½ lemon, thinly sliced
METHOD
  1. Combine honey, boiling water, and 5 torn verbena leaves or basil in a bowl, stir to dissolve. Set aside to cool. 
  2. Stain mixture into a jug. Add Lillet Blanc, vodka, lemon juice and thyme.
  3. Add soda water before serving over ice, and garnish with lemon slices.
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