This lavender G&T cocktail makes the perfect any-season beverage for its refreshing flavour! Pick the buds straight from your garden, double-checking that the variety you have at home is safe to eat, of course.

MAKES 1 // COOKING TIME 25 min

INGREDIENTS
For the lavender syrup (makes approximately 1 cup syrup)
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp dried lavender buds
For the lavender G&T
2 tbsp gin
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp lavender syrup
½ cup ice
200 ml tonic water
To serve
1 sprig lavender
1 slice lemon (optional)

METHOD
For the syrup
1. Place the water, sugar and lavender buds in a pot over medium heat. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Allow to cool before straining the liquid through a sieve, discarding the lavender buds. Store in an airtight container.
For the lavender G&T
1. Mix the gin, lemon juice and lavender syrup together in a glass.
2. Add the ice and top with tonic water.
To serve
1. Stir the cocktail with a bar spoon and add a sprig of lavender and a slice of lemon.

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner
Photography: Andreas Eiselen // HMimages.co.za

There’s so much you can do with the herbs in your garden! Take a stab at these honey and chamomile biscuits.

The post Growing lavender in your garden? Make this lavender G&T appeared first on MyKitchen.

We definitely haven’t seen the last of gin this season. Gather your friends and say ‘cheers’ to summer with these refreshing grapefruit and thyme G&Ts!

SERVES 6 // COOKING TIME 10 min

INGREDIENTS
1 cup gin
3 thyme sprigs, leaves picked and reserved
Juice of 2 limes
Juice of 2 grapefruits
1 tsp brown sugar
2 cups ice
5 cups tonic water
To serve
6 thyme sprigs
1 grapefruit, sliced

METHOD
1. Divide gin, thyme leaves, lime juice, grapefruit juice and sugar between six glasses. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then add the ice.
2. Top each glass with tonic water and muddle with a teaspoon or swizzle stick.
To serve
1. Garnish each with a sprig of thyme and a slice of grapefruit.

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner
Photography: Samantha Pinto // HMimages.co.za

These grapefruit and gin martinis make a delicious and fun alternative too!

The post Refreshing grapefruit and thyme G&Ts appeared first on MyKitchen.

Rum is set to be the spirit of the season this summer. Why not get a head start and make these fruity strawberry cocktails with rum and tonic?

MAKES 2 // COOKING TIME 5 min

INGREDIENTS
1 cup strawberries, halved, plus extra to serve
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 cup coconut water
1 cup tonic
½ cup Martini Rosso
½ cup ice, crushed
3 tbsp honey

METHOD
1. Gently crush the strawberries and lemon zest and juice together in a jug.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and serve chilled with extra strawberry halves and a sprinkling of lemon zest.

Recipe & styling: Chiara Turilli
Photography: Jotham van Tonder // HMimages.co.za

These granadilla and rum milkshakes are another delicious summer treat!

The post Strawberry cocktails with rum and tonic appeared first on MyKitchen.

Coffee that’s kegged like beer, refreshing on a warm day and contains more caffeine than your regular cuppa? There’s no reason not to love cold brew coffee. And you can turn it into a fun mocktail with our short and sweet recipe.

MAKES 1 // COOKING TIME 5 mins

INGREDIENTS
70 ml concentrated cold brew coffee
200 ml tonic water
20 ml vanilla syrup

METHOD
1. Pour the coffee over ice.
2. Pour in the tonic water and vanilla syrup.
3. Stir to combine.

The post Cold brew and tonic appeared first on MyKitchen.