Our food team used fresh ingredients and herbs to make spring cocktails that are as delicious as they are pretty!

RHUBARD MOJITO
Prep time: 25 minutes
Makes: 1 drink

INGREDIENTS
For the rhubarb syrup (makes approximately 1 cup syrup)
2 cups chopped rhubarb
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
For the cocktail
3 mint leaves
1 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp white rum
1–2 tbsp rhubarb syrup
½ cup crushed ice
200 ml soda water
To serve
1 rhubarb ribbon
1 sprig mint
1 slice lime

METHOD
For the rhubarb syrup
1. Place the rhubarb, water and sugar in a pot over medium heat. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10minutes until the sugar has dissolved and the rhubarb becomes soft.
2. Mash the rhubarb with a potato masher, then strain the mixture through a sieve. Discard the pulp and allow the syrup to cool.
For the cocktail
1. Place the mint leaves and lime juice in a glass and crush to release the flavour of the mint.
2. Add the rum and rhubarb syrup and stir to combine.
3. Add the ice and top off with soda water.
To serve
1. Garnish the mojito with a ribbon of rhubarb, a sprig of mint and a slice of lime.

LAVENDER G&T
Prep time: 25 minutes
Makes: 1 drink

INGREDIENTS
For the lavender syrup (makes approximately 1 cup syrup)
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp dried lavender buds
For the cocktail
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.
For the cocktail
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.

THYME AND TEQUILA LEMONADE
Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 1 drink

INGREDIENTS
2 tsp white sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp tequila
1 sprig thyme
200 ml soda water
To serve
1 lemon wedge
1 sprig thyme

METHOD
1. Place the sugar, lemon juice, tequila and thyme in a tall glass and muddle together with a spoon.
2. Add of the soda water and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Top off with the remaining soda water and a few ice cubes.
To serve
3. Top with a lemon wedge and a sprig of thyme.

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