Going out at the weekend isn’t what it used to be thanks to Covid-19, but you can still bring the fun to you and your friends with these easy-to-prepare cocktails using Lidl’s Allini Conegliano Superiore Prosecco (named the World’s Best Prosecco at the 2020 Sparkling Wine Awards, no less) and other mixers from their new Summer Spirits range. It will certainly give home entertaining a kick – even with social distancing rules still in place

The GastroGays developed three delicious summer-inspired cocktails using three spirits the new Summer Spirits range.

Rhubarb Royale

What you need:

• Allini Conegliano Superiore Prosecco (€12.99)
• Hortus & Ginger Gin Liqueur (€14.99)
• 15ml lemon juice

How to prepare:

1. In a flute, add the Rhubarb & Ginger Gin Liqueur at the bottom with the lemon juice, stirring to combine, then top up the glass with the Prosecco.
2. Serve with a ribbon of candied rhubarb within the drink, or for a fiery kick, a small cube of crystallised ginger at the bottom.

Frozen Strawberry and Black Pepper Daiquiri

What you need:

• Korol Vodka (€17.99)
• Deluxe Strawberries
• Fresh cracked black pepper
• Caster sugar
• 2 limes, juiced
• Basil

How to prepare:

1. In a blender, blitz the fresh strawberries with the vodka, lime juice, basil and black pepper until smooth. Strain the mixture (to remove the strawberry seeds) into a container suitable for the freezer, and freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or ideally overnight.
2. Before serving, chill your glass of choice (coupe, martini, margarita) in the fridge for 10 minutes as you take the mixture out of the freezer and allow to start defrosting.
3. When ready to serve, re-blend the mixture to a smooth, thick consistency and pour into your chilled glass. Serve with some fresh strawberry on the rim of the glass.

Berry Club

What you need:

• 50ml Hampstead Strawberry Gin (€22.99)
• 25ml vermouth (€8.99)
• 25ml lemon juice
• 50ml raspberry syrup
• 1 egg white
• Fresh raspberries to garnish

How to prepare:

Syrup 

You can either make a simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water, boil until it goes clear, then cool and store in a jar) and combine equal parts raspberries and simple syrup, blitz together with a hand blender and strain the seeds; or simply mash some raspberries with a tbsp of sugar and a little water to thin it to pouring consistency and strain the seeds.

Drink

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine a handful of ice with all the ingredients. Clamp-on a lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds, until the shaker is chilled on the outside and the ice sounds to be almost entirely melted.
2. Strain through a cocktail strainer into in a chilled coupe glass, garnishing with a trio of fresh raspberries on a cocktail stick.

Lidl’s Allini Conegliano Superiore Prosecco (€12.99, available permanently) and range of gins (priced in recipes above) are available as part of their Summer Spirits range in 163 Lidl stores nationwide for a limited time from Monday 13^th July