Summer Cocktail Recipes

The perfect finishing touch to a sunny summer’s day is a long cool cocktail! The term cocktail is one that is now in common usage and was originally defined in 1806 as “a stimulating liquor composed of any kind of sugar, water and bitters, vulgarly called a bittered sling”. Thankfully both the variety and reputation have improved dramatically since then!

The generally held assumption is that it is yet another American import that has reached our shores yet the above definition – from The Balance and Columbian Repository of Hudson, New York – was preceded by an earlier reference to “cock-tail” in The Morning Post and Gazetteer in London, England in 1798. So the cocktail may in fact be more rooted in the UK than we had perhaps realised.

All the more reason therefore to enjoy! Whether you are unwinding after a hard day’s work, celebrating with friends, or simply enjoying London as day turns to evening there is nothing better than a cocktail.

In 1869, William Terrington published the first British book of cocktail recipes called “Cooling Cups and Dainty Drinks”. Its first recipe was for a Gin Cocktail made with brandy or gin, ginger syrup, aromatic bitters, and a splash of water. At The Chapel Bar we pride ourselves on an extensive range of superb cocktails. Two of our favourite summer cocktail recipes are Elder & Wiser and English Garden:

Elder & Wiser

Main ingredients: Bourbon | Apple | Elderflower

Ingredients:
50ml Jack Daniels Honey Bourbon
25ml Elderflower cordial
25ml Apple juice
5ml Lime Juice
2 dash angostura bitters

Method: Shake & double strain over ice ball
Glass: Old Fashioned
Garnish: Large round ice ball + Roasted apple ring

English Garden

Main ingredients: Gin | apple | elderflower | cucumber

Ingredients:
1½” chopped and peeled cucumber
50ml Hendricks gin
25ml Elderflower Cordial
50ml Pressed Apple Juice

Method: Muddle cucumber then Shake and Double Strain
Glass: Coupe (chilled)
Garnish: Cucumber ribbon on skewer across rim

Why not come and join us for one of the above in an elegant yet relaxed setting? Experience the renowned ambience of our ground floor saloon that lies at the heart of The Chapel Bar. Consisting of two informal seating areas with leather sofas and a superbly stocked bar (which has fine wines, craft beers and premium spirits as well as cocktails), where better to enjoy a taste of what London has to offer. We look forward to serving you soon!