All hail the summer cocktail

Let’s face it, hosting a barbeque in Guangzhou is no easy task. If the thought of searching for a grill on Taobao and traversing the city for proper hamburger meat has you reeling, consider throwing a potluck dinner instead – just be sure the cocktails are homemade. This month, we talked with Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou’s cocktail master Bo Yau to collect a few of his favorite recipes for summer. Made with everyday ingredients, the following drinks are easy to prepare and make striking complements to classic BBQ fare. Who knows, with a bit of amateur mixology your next shindig could be the talk of the town.

Orange Mojito

A simple twist on the classic mojito, this beverage blends mint with citrus to combat spicy salads and sweltering summer nights.
 

60ml Havana or Bacardi white rum

1 fresh lime (cut into 8 slices)

10 fresh mint leaves

3 tsp white or brown sugar

2 slices of fresh orange

120ml fresh orange juice (120ml)

Ginger ale (to taste)

Preparation:

Pour the sugar into a glass, add fresh lime slices and muddle gently until you see lime juice appear. Add rum, sliced orange and orange juice to the glass. Slap the mint in your hand to release its flavor and add to glass as well. Use a spoon to mix ingredients together. Add ice (ideally crushed ice) and mix again with a spoon from the bottom up. Finally, top off the glass with ginger ale. Add a mint leaf and orange slice for garnish.

Passion Fruit Moscow Mule

Another classic cocktail with a twist, this drink is easy to make at home and doesn’t require a shaker. Pair it with BBQ chicken or wings for a satisfying balance of flavor.
 

60ml vodka

1/2 fresh squeezed lime

2 slices fresh ginger

1 whole passion fruit

Ginger beer or ginger ale (to taste)

3 drops bitters (optional)

Preparation:

Slice the ginger. Place into a rock glass and muddle gently. Slice the passion fruit and take out all the seeds; add to glass. Add vodka, ice and top off the glass with ginger beer. Mix with a spoon. Optional: add bitters on top and mix again.

The Beer Cocktail

A little something for the men of the party, this thirst-quencher goes well with hot dogs, burgers and other grilled meats. Surrender to summer with spiked Corona and zesty lime.
 

1/2 bottle of light beer (preferably Corona)

1/4 fresh squeezed lime

15ml Martini Bianco

5ml Grand Marnier

Sprite (to taste)

Lemon and orange slices (optional)

Preparation:

Squeeze the lime juice into a wine glass, add Martini Bianco and Grand Marnier. Fill up with ice. Pour half a bottle of beer into the glass. Mix and top off with Sprite. Optional: add a few slices of lemon and orange and mix again.