Each season brings new and exciting flavours perfectly suited to the world outside. Winter and autumn nights are long and chilly; it’s a time we find ourselves craving warming beverages by cosy fireplaces, while spring and summer nourishes an appetite for refreshing mocktails full of fresh berries. Read on to discover seasonal drinks you can add to your soirees and shindigs this season and in the seasons to come!
Winter
When the weather outside is frightful, and the fire is so delightful, then winter is here, and it’s time for cosy winter mocktails that are basically hugs in mugs (except not actually mugs - more like snazzy cocktail glasses with a bit of pizazz). During winter, you’ll probably be rugged up next to a fireplace or wrapped in blankets like a toasty cinnamon bun. We recommend enjoying these seasonal drinks to wrap up those chilly winter evenings:
Lyre’s Whiskey Sour
The whiskey sour has been satisfying thirsty drinkers and waking up the sleepiest palate for over 150 years. It has an altogether delicious flavour, silky texture, and a full-body, thanks to a bit of whiskey, lemon juice, bitters and egg whites.
You’ll need:
- 60mL Lyre’s American Malt
- 30mL lemon juice
- 15mL white sugar syrup (1:1)
- 15mL egg white / aquafaba OR 4 drops of foaming agent
- 2 dashes of aromatic bitters
Method:
- Dry shake all the ingredients briefly
- Add ice, shake hard, then strain into an Old Fashioned glass over fresh ice
- Garnish with a zesty orange wedge and Maraschino cherry
Lyre’s Espresso Martini
Nothing warms the soul quite like a cup of coffee; nothing except Lyre’s Coffee Originale, of course. This sophisticated, classic winter mocktail enhances that cozy coffee flavour and brings it to the forefront of your palette to wake you up, then warm you up.
You’ll need:
- 45mL Lyre’s Coffee Originale
- 15mL Lyre’s White Cane Spirit
- 45mL premium cold drip or fresh espresso
- 10mL premium vanilla syrup (not vanilla essence)
- Coffee beans to garnish
Method:
- Dry shake all the ingredients briefly
- Half fill the shaker with ice, shake hard briefly, then strain into a cocktail coupette
- Garnish with a coffee bean float
Spring
When the flowers start to bloom, the trees begin to grow new leaves, and the sound of hatchlings sing in their nests, it’s time to gather your friends and embrace the outdoors once again. Whether you’re hosting a springtime brunch or having a garden party, we recommend adding these seasonal drinks to your springtime festivities:
Lyre’s Negroni
The Negroni, while simple to make with just three stirred ingredients, is devilishly complex, refreshing, and layered with bitter, zesty notes of grapefruit and juniper. The intricate combination of flavours in this refreshing mocktail makes it well suited for enjoying alongside snacks and appetisers as an aperitif drink at your next springtime picnic.
You’ll need:
- 30mL Lyre’s Dry London Spirit
- 30mL Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso
- 30mL Lyre’s Italian Orange
- Orange slices to garnish
Method:
- Add ingredients to an old fashioned glass and stir briefly over fresh cubed ice
- Garnish with a zesty, citrusy orange slice
Lyre’s Daiquiri
As one of the most refreshing mocktails in the known universe, the Daiquiri is often the go-to beverage of cocktail connoisseurs, vacationers and socialites during springtime shindigs and merriments. The Daiquiri’s perfect balance of white rum and cane sugar creates an exquisite taste that’s best enjoyed with friends and family at your next weekend brunch to celebrate relaxing weekends with fine weather.
You’ll need:
- 75mL Lyre’s White Cane Spirit
- 20mL white sugar syrup (1:1)
- 30mL lime juice
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- Lime zest for garnish
Method:
- Add ingredients into a shaker and shake with ice
- Fine strain into a classy cocktail coupette
- Garnish with lime zest
Summer
Nothing says summer like outdoor festivities surrounded by your favourite people, good food, and sparkling summer mocktails reminiscent of sunshine itself. Refreshing summer drinks (non-alcoholic variations) full of fruit and effervescence are the perfect accompaniment to morning soirees on sun-dappled patios and dinners with friends in the warm afternoon sun. We recommend these seasonal drinks for summer:
Lyre’s Summer Spritz
With hints of elderflower, orange, and passionfruit fluttering about like butterflies in a meadow of tonic, Lyre’s Summer Spritz is incredibly refreshing and altogether delicious.
You’ll need:
- 30mL Lyre's Italian Orange
- 30mL Lyer’s Orange Sec
- 7.5mL premium mango syrup
- 90mL premium bottled elderflower tonic water
- 2 lemon wheels
- Passionfruit pulp and mint sprigs for garnish
Method:
- Add ingredients into your favourite oversized or stemless wine glass
- Stir and fill with ice
- Garnish with a tablespoon of summery passionfruit pulp and a plump mint sprig
Lyre’s Pink London Spritz
If summer were a cocktail, it would be the bubbly, incandescent spritz. Lyre’s Pink London Spritz is deliciously refreshing and incredibly versatile. Make it as sweet or dry as your heart desires (simply switch tonic water with lemonade for a sweeter finish) and fill with all your favourite berries for summer vibes in a glass.
You’ll need:
- 60mL Lyre’s Pink London Spirit
- 60mL Lyre’s Classico
- 30mL premium bottled tonic water, soda water or lemonade
- 5 raspberries (or your berry of choice)
- 2 lemon slices
Method:
- Add ingredients into your most summery large wine glass
- Fill with ice and stir
- Garnish with raspberries (or your berry of choice) and citrusy lemon slices
Autumn
When the leaves begin turning warm shades of red and yellow, and the mornings have a chill that makes it that little bit harder to get out of bed, you know autumn has officially arrived. The good news? It’s almost time for those cosy winter mocktails that warm the mind, body and soul in a way that only warm winter drinks can. We recommend these seasonal drinks for autumn:
Lyre’s Gin Gin Mule
What do you get when you take a mule, a mojito, and add a dash of Lyre’s Dry London Spirit? A Gin Gin Mule! As cosy as it is delicious, this classy gin and gin(ger) drink evokes warm memories of chilly nights spent dipping ginger biscuits in toasty, hot beverages.
You’ll need:
- 2 parts (60mL) Lyre’s Dry London Spirit
- ¼ part (7.5mL) white sugar syrup (1:1)
- ½ part (15mL) lime juice
- 3 parts (90mL) of premium ginger ale
- 8 mint leaves
Method:
- Add ingredients into a tall and fancy highball glass
- Fill with ice and stir
- Garnish with a zesty lime wedge and plump mint sprigs
Lyre’s Blackberry Smash
This seriously good, refreshingly fruity mocktail is loaded with fresh blackberries, fragrant mint, and American Malt; the perfect beverage for a colourful autumn's day. Bottoms up!
You’ll need:
- 2 parts (60mL) Lyre’s American Malt
- ½ part (15mL) white sugar syrup (1:1)
- ½ part (15mL) lime juice
- 4 blackberries
- 8 mint leaves
Method:
- Muddle blackberries and mint with sugar syrup in a shaker
- Add the rest of the ingredients and shake with ice
- Strain into an old fashioned glass over fresh ice
- Garnish with a plump mint sprig and a blackberry on a skewer
Lyre’s Manhatten
The Manhatten is the midnight cowboy of cocktails (minus the glamorous cowboy hat, but complete with non-alcoholic whiskey). Start with a hefty pour of American Malt and throw in an unexpected fruity twist, and you have yourself an impeccable seasonal drink for autumn.
You’ll need:
- 60mL Lyre’s American Malt
- 15mL Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso
- 2 dashes of aromatic bitters
- Maraschino cherry to garnish
Method:
- Stir ingredients briefly with ice
- Strain into your classiest martini glass or small coupette
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry
Libations!