5 Sugarcane Cocktails That You Must Definitely Try
While making cocktails one often wonders what could possibly be the base for the concoction. It shouldn't be too bland or too strong. Often sweeter drinks are used as bases for some of the most-loved cocktails. To get that sweetness, mostly syrups using artificial sweeteners or sugar are used. However, what if we told you there’s an alternative to these syrups, something we Indians have cherished for centuries? Naturally sweet and juicy, it makes for an excellent drink, especially during the hot summer months. Yes, the sugarcane!
The inherent sweetness of the sugarcane acts as the perfect base for the spirit and makes the concoction delicious to some other level. Here are some cocktails that use sugarcane juice as its primary base:
1. The Classic Mojito
Often the most preferred cocktail among people, Mojito is also the easiest to put together.
Ingredients
60 ml Captain Morgan white rum
30 ml sugarcane juice
30 ml fresh lime juice
30 ml Soda water
Fresh mint leaves
Ice, cubes or crushed - as per choice
Method
In a highball glass, muddle the mint leaves with lime juice. Then add the rum and the sugarcane juice. Top it with soda water and the ice cubes, and stir gently.
2. Mr Cane
The robust flavours of whisky get balanced with the sweetness of the sugarcane juice, similarly, the tanginess of the lemon juice gets accentuated by the depth of the ginger juice. And the result: a perfect blend of flavours for a drink best savoured after a tiring day.
Ingredients
60 ml Black and White whisky
45 ml sugarcane juice
15 ml fresh lemon juice
10 ml ginger juice
15-20 fresh mint leaves
Crushed ice
Lemon wheel or mint sprig - to garnish
Method
In a shaker, muddle the mint leaves with lemon juice and ginger juice. Then add whisky and sugarcane juice and shake well. Then strain the concoction into an old-fashioned glass and top it with crushed ice. Use a lemon wheel or a mint sprig to garnish. Serve cold.
3. Sweet Sunrise
A perfect drink for a housewarming party. You can make this in batches and serve your guests along with a range of sizzlers or barbeques. This drink is light and flavourful.
Ingredients
45 ml Don Julio tequila
90 ml orange juice
30 ml sugarcane juice
Grenadine
Orange slice for garnish
Ice cubes, as required
Method
Fill a martini glass with ice. Pour tequila, orange juice, and sugarcane juice over the ice. Slowly pour grenadine over the back of a spoon to form layers. Garnish with an orange slice and some more ice.
4. Pineapple Punch
This cocktail is packed with flavours and is yet again another perfect party cocktail. This could also make for a great mocktail if one were to remove the dark rum and instead use a cola or lime soda.
Ingredients
60 ml Captain Morgan dark rum
30 ml sugarcane juice
60 ml pineapple juice
15 ml grenadine
Pineapple slice for garnish
Ice cubes, as required
Method
In a shaker, add the rum, sugarcane juice and pineapple juice with plenty of ice. Shake well until chilled, then pour in the grenadine slowly and then strain into a glass filled with some more ice. Garnish with a pineapple slice.
5. Berry Mojito
Packed with the freshness of berries and the sweetness of sugarcane juice, this is nothing less of a blast in the mouth during the hot summer days. A perfect drink for a lazy weekend and goes best with some cold salad or cheese spread.
Ingredients
60 ml Smirnoff vodka
30 ml sugarcane juice
Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
3-4 Fresh mint leaves
60 ml Soda water
Crushed ice
Method
In a highball glass, muddle the berries with mint. Add the vodka, sugarcane juice, and ice. Top with soda water and stir gently. Use some mint leaves for garnish.
