Summer afternoons that turn into late nights once the sunset starts to do that hypnotic thing which encourages you to make a party of it.  Those of you who festival will know that hour; you’re happy and relaxed from a great day with good friends, giggled way more than you usually do and eaten delicious food and can’t see why you don’t do this ALL the time.  This is the point when making cocktails just works, really hits the spot.

At the beach hut this time can be anytime of course, but at a festival it’s best to do this on your first night at your tent just before you head into the main arena to enjoy the evening’s entertainment.  You don’t need to have a beach hut or be at a festival to enjoy this moment of decadence, your garden or kitchen can easily work but seizing the moment is what it’s all about and why not do it in style.

So let’s seize the moment this summer and have a fabulous time.  My cocktail and food recipes will soon feature on my YouTube channel, which is a new venture for me, and one I’m finding hugely exciting.

This recipe does require you to make some vanilla syrup in advance but you could cheat and use readymade and just add a few drops of vanilla extract.  Remember, we are seizing the day.

Strawberry, Vanilla and Cracked Pepper Daiquiri  (makes 6-8)

40 strawberries, topped and chopped

50ml lime juice

50ml vanilla syrup

200ml golden rum

Handful Ice cubes

Cracked black pepper

Muddle the strawberries, really well in the bottom of the cocktail shaker, then add the lime juice, syrup, rum, pinch of black pepper and ice cubes and place the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake until well blended.  Pour into glasses and sprinkle over more cracked black pepper into each glass.

Vanilla Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup golden caster sugar

Vanilla pod, split

Mix together the water and sugar in a pan, bring to the boil and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add the vanilla pod and once cooled place in a clean sterlized jar or bottle, seal and keep in the fridge until ready to use.