This is the perfect drink for a stinking hot day.  All of the flavours in this cocktail scream summer – mint, berries and fresh lime are a recipe for refreshing, fruity & delicious goodness.  We had these on christmas afternoon while sitting in the spa, and couldn’t get enough of them. (These are also extremely easy to drink, so be warned!)

You don’t need to have all (or any) of the cocktail equipment to make this either – just a trusty old rolling pin will do the trick!

ingredients – to make 1

handful of frozen raspberries + extra to garnish
3 slices of lime
5 fresh mint leaves
150ml ginger beer
60ml white rum or vodka
crushed ice

method

Cup your hand and place 4 mint leaves in it. Cup your other hand and bring it down over the other, so that it makes a clapping noise (be careful not to squash the mint, you want to release the aroma and flavour without bruising it – also a good trick when using mint in salads).  Place a handful of raspberries and 2 slices of lime in a highball tumbler.  Using your rolling pin (or muddler if you want to get all professional on me), muddle the contents. Add 4 of the mint leaves and top with crushed ice. Pour spirit and ginger beer over the ice and stir. Garnish with extra mint leaf and raspberries.