Summer garden cup cocktail recipe

A refreshing drink with mouth-watering swishes of sweet lime (from the riesling) and pops of nectarine, this is adapted from a recipe in The Savoy Cocktail Book. I sometimes add a teaspoon or two of sugar to enhance the gentle sherbettyness of the drink but it depends on your taste and on what wine you use. Finest* Mosel Steep Slopes Riesling 2023 Germany (11%, Tesco, £7.25) is a good option. You could serve this in a jug but a punch bowl makes it easier to distribute the fruit.

Timings 

5 minutes, plus 1-2 hours macerating time

Serves

 8 

Ingredients 

• 2 ripe nectarines, stoned and sliced
• 8 strawberries, washed, hulled and quartered
• 1 bottle off-dry German riesling
• 160ml Grand Marnier
• 300ml sparkling water (make sure it’s one with vigorous bubbles or use a proper soda mixer)

Method

1. An hour or two before serving, put the fruit in a bowl, cover with some of the riesling and keep in the fridge until you’re ready to go.
2. Just before the party, transfer the fruit mixture to a punch bowl with the rest of the wine and the Grand Marnier.
3. Stir in the sparkling water just before serving.
4. Check for sweetness and ladle into wine glasses with a cube or two of ice as required.