Think of pink and perhaps the girly ‘life in plastic, it’s fantastic’ fuchsia of Barbieland comes to mind. Or pretty pastel pink cardigans lovingly knitted by granny for a baby girl. Did you know, it’s only in the past 100 years that pink was first associated with femininity. Before that it was simply a colour. What changed? After the war, several companies latched onto a novel marketing idea to categorise pink for girls and blue for boys. It caught on, eventually causing human perceptions in the West to shift which still bears influence over many people’s beliefs today.
There now exists an ‘International Day of Pink’ every 10th of April to raise awareness against bullying and discrimination in the world. To show support for diversity, we are invited to wear pink. That’s it. Perhaps you already wear pink? Good decision, because it's believed pink can psychologically uplift us and make us feel happy and bubbly.
Our focus is, of course, on the drinks and what better occasion to bring happiness and bubbliness to your drinking in the form of pink cocktails. Don’t be misled into thinking all of them are sugary sweet. either, because the recipes below have all been chosen for their harmonious balance of sour, bitter and sweetness.
PINK PALOMA
A TEQUILA-BASED COCKTAIL THAT’S SIMPLE TO MAKE. STRONG, FRUITY AND BITTER.
The Pink Paloma (a lengthened Margarita) is one of the most popular drinks in Mexico. Tequila, pink grapefruit and a pinch of sea salt make an irresistible creation to balance sour and sweet. This amount of freshness and tartness all in one glass will momentarily carry you off into holiday mode, even on a school night. Even if you’re not into grapefruit, I urge you to try a Pink Paloma: the sweetness of the agave offsets the bitter citrus well.
Ingredients
50ml blanco tequila
25ml grapefruit juice
12.5ml lime juice
7.5ml agave nectar/syrup
50ml soda (grapefruit or ordinary)
Method
Pour salt onto a small plate. Rub the rim of a Collins glass with lime wedge, then dip into salt, turning to coat. Shake the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave syrup with ice until well chilled. Pour/strain into glass with or without ice and top with soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge or slice.
For a non-alcoholic version, leave out the tequila but still include agave syrup (also known as agave nectar) which is alcohol free and will give lovely cactusy notes.
PINK VODKA LEMONADE COCKTAIL
AN EASY TO MAKE, BABY PINK DRINK THAT’S A REFRESHING BLEND OF SWEET AND TANGY.
Are you a vodka drinker looking to jazz up a regular vodka and lemonade? Try adding a splash of Malibu, cranberry juice and sparkling Sprite instead of regular lemonade. Most grown up girls have known a time in life when only cranberry juice can put things right. So if life gives you limes and you’ve got cranberry juice to hand - turn to this cocktail. The bitter tang of the pink cranberry is balanced by tropical coconut and pineapple hints in the Malibu and the fizz of added lemon and lime from the Sprite has never knowingly undersold anyone’s happiness. There’s also a zero sugar option for those watching the calories.
Ingredients
45ml vodka
15ml Coconut Flavoured Rum (like Malibu)
10ml lime juice (or 15ml tablespoon if using regular lemonade)
20ml cranberry juice
Lemonade (Sprite or Sprite Zero Sugar works great)
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a glass, add ice and give it a good stir. La voilà! Lovely without any garnish but if you’d like to infuse some earthy tones, add a sprig of thyme.
For a non-alcoholic version give Sprite, cranberry juice and lime a try. You can easily determine the vibrancy of colour yourself by adding more cranberry juice if you like. You’re the boss.
RASPBERRY GIMLET
IF HAPPINESS WAS A DRINK… THIS IS THE ONE TO SIP.
Image credit: Gin Squares
A Gimlet is a simple cocktail - two parts gin, one part lime juice. This vivid cerise riff on a Gimlet has the tart sweetness of raspberries added, muddled in to make that glorious colour. This beauty tastes as good as it looks. Barbie would definitely approve and it’s so simple, even Ken could (probably) make it.
Ingredients
50ml gin
25ml lime juice
15ml simple syrup or raspberry syrup
Raspberries to muddle
3 good raspberries for the garnish
Method
Muddle and shake with ice and double strain into a coupe or martini glass. Garnish with three fresh raspberries on a cocktail stick or skewer.
For a non-alcoholic raspberry fizz, leave gin out, muddle the fruit in lime juice and raspberry syrup, double strain and top with a splash of soda.
LUCIEN GAUDIN COCKTAIL
A VINTAGE FRENCH RIFF ON A CARDINALE (NEGRONI WITH DRY VERMOUTH). VERMILLION IN COLOUR, ELEGANT AND SUPER TASTY.
Image credit: Julian Vallis
Can’t decide between a Martini and a Negroni? This is a Negroni inspired drink with a citric orange riff! The colour is pink and fun. Lucien Gaudin was a French champion fencer who competed in several consecutive Olympics in the 1920s. He was described as ‘poetry in motion’ for his strength and seemingly effortless control. The cocktail named in his honour dates back to 1929. It’s a strong one that amplifies the bitter orange aspect with the addition of dry vermouth and orange liqueur. The proportions below are true to the original recipe that won the Honorary Cup at the Professional Bartender’s Championship in Paris in 1929.
Ingredients
60ml Gin (Hepple is nice for it)
20ml Campari
20ml Cointreau
20ml Noilly Prat Original Dry Vermouth
Method
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir to chill. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass and garnish with an orange twist. As this is such a spirit-forward cocktail there is no non-alcoholic equivalent! Serve on-the-rocks. Use bigger ice if you are unsure if you will like the dilution.
THE WIBBLE
CREATED IN 1999 BY DICK BRADSELL, THE GODFATHER OF THE LONDON COCKTAIL REVIVAL. A MODERN BRITISH CLASSIC.
Image credit: Zach Sapato
Fellow #DRINKLUSIVE mentee Zach Sapato, US and UK National Champion Bartender, got the opportunity to make this cocktail for Bea Bradsell when she wanted to honour the anniversary of the passing of her father Dick. If you didn’t know, Dick Bradsell was the inventor of the Espresso Martini and The Bramble, two of the most popular cocktails of our time. Here’s how Zach made it:
Ingredients
25ml Sloe gin
25ml Beefeater Gin
25ml grapefruit juice
5ml lemon juice
5ml mure
5ml sugar syrup
Method
Shake ingredients with rock ice. Strain into a chilled coupette glass. Garnish with a lemon twist!
That’s five, but are you ready for a bonus cocktail? Don’t say we don’t treat you…
CHAMBORD ROYALE
ROMANTIC PINK FIZZ FOR CELEBRATIONS LIKE ENGAGEMENTS, WEDDINGS AND WETTING THE BABY’S HEAD. (IRRELEVANT OF GENDER OBVIOUSLY).
Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur is crafted with 100% natural ingredients including blackberries, raspberries and blackcurrants and infused with XO Cognac and other botanicals. It’s noted for its unique flavour, unmatched quality and distinctive orb-shaped bottle. It’s a special bottle to keep in your drinks cabinet should an occasion for celebration arise unexpectedly. To make a Chambord Royale, simply serve 120ml of Brut Champagne in a flute or coupe glass, add 15ml of Chambord. It turns your bubbly pink which can then either be garnished with a raspberry if you wish or just leave it as nature intended.
Prosecco, ‘Nosecco’, Cava and Sparkling Wine work just as well, if you’re watching the pennies or not drinking alcohol. It’s the Chambord that makes this so special. Why? Because it turns your bubbly pink. That’s something to feel happy and bubbly about. A perfect cocktail for all who care to Think Pink, Drink Pink.
By Robbie Jerram
