It’s a scientific fact that as the weather gets hotter, the drinks get colder!

With summer upon us and all that outdoors living to look forward to, the Hot Flavours crew has been putting serious thought into what you should be imbibing as the temperatures soar!

As timeless classics go, Moët Hennessy’s world class champagnes are the perfect treat for summer moments spent with friends and family.

Drawing on 283 years of winemaking know-how and tradition, the Moët & Chandon, Brut Impérial Rosé, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé, Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, Ruinart Rosé and Krug Rosé expressions all taste extra delicious when the sun is shining!

See the Champagne Cocktail section of moet.com/en-int for details of how to make the ultimate Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial, Moët Salted Rosé, Moët Sunset, Minted Moët Ice Julep, Moët Passiontini and Smoked, Spicy & Moët Iced.

Sláinte!

PUTTING ON THE SPRITZ

Keep your tastebuds peeled for Hugo Spritz, the northern Italian aperitivo that’s been appearing on all the right drink-lists of late.

A crisp, botanical alternative to an Aperol Spritz, it blends Prosecco with an elderflower liqueur like St-Germain – we’ve spied it recently in Tesco – syrup, soda water and mint.

We’re also partial to a Limoncello Spritz, which is the libation of choice in Naples and right along the Amalfi coast. Also having a bit of a moment is 15% Tequila Rose, the strawberry cream liqueur with an agave kick which is seriously yum over ice or as the star ingredient in a grown-up’s milkshake.

MAKE IT WITH HENNESSY

One of this summer’s most versatile cocktail and long drink ingredients is Hennessy, the world famous cognac beloved of everyone from Drake and Bad Bunny to LeBron James and Jay-Z. Nothing tastes quite as summery as a Hennessy Berry Mojito or Hennessy Margarita – the recipes for which can be found below. Or why not enjoy it with your favourite mixer and lots of ice?

TOUR-A-LOORA!

If it’s a thirst-quenching beer with a hit of lime zest you’re after, look no further than Chido, the new 4% ABV Mexican-style lager from the good folk at Rascals in Dublin 8. There are also brewery tours, guided tastings and top notch woodfired pizza – the punsome Meat Me In Inchicore is our fave – to enjoy in their HQ, which is just round the corner from St. Patrick Athletics’ Richmond Park ground.

You’ll also get a warm welcome at Tullamore D.E.W. whose grain-to-glass distillery tours run seven days a week from 11am-4pm and have won three successive Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. Along with a personally guided visit, you get to sample three expressions of their world famous whiskey, and receive a secret surprise along the way. Yes, we know what it is but we’re not telling!

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Not content with being a sporting icon, Katie Taylor has co-created Fizzique, a “next-gen” soda that’s high in fibre and infused with magnesium and Vitamin D. “Just like we changed minds about women and boxing, with Fizzique we’re going to change minds about soda and health,” Katie says of the elixir, which is available in Zest Lemon & Ginger, Passionfruit & Yuzu, Watermelon, Lime & Mint, Blood Orange and Mango varieties.

We’re also rather partial to Solas, makers of craft small-batch sodas made with 100% natural ingredients and no artificial sweeteners or other “weird stuff.”

Choose from Lemon & Mint, Elderflower, Natural Cola, Grapefruit Rock Shandy or our fave, Spicy Ginger which fair dances on your tongue and is also a great mixer.

CHI WOW, WOW!

SynerChi Kombucha was created in 2012 by Laura Murphy, who has the distinction of being Ireland’s first commercial kombucha brewer.

Close to both Mt Errigal and the Atlantic coast, their Gweedore, Co. Donegal ‘kombrewery’ is a beautiful, wild and natural place to make their fermented tea drinks. SynerChi Kombucha is authentically brewed using organic green tea. Unpasteurised, it contains the live cultures, raw enzymes, organic acids and antioxidants – all the ‘gut’ stuff – that are so beneficial to good health.

Naturally Chi-lled, their Elderflower & Apple, Oranges & Lemon, Yuzu Lemon with Mint and Hibiscus & Raspberry varieties mean that you’ve something great to sip on all summer long!

See synerchi.ie for their full range of cans and bottles which also includes lightly sparkling, fermented water kefirs and immune and brain boost Kombucha shots.

EVERYBODY ZING ALONG...

Born in Dublin and built by a father-daughter team, Zingibeer has quickly become the ginger beer showing up in the hands of Ireland’s new generation of drinkers and cocktail lovers.

Bright, zingy and seriously refreshing, it balances real ginger heat with fresh lemon and layered botanicals for a more complex, grown-up finish. Whether it’s poured straight over ice or mixed into cocktails, it’s the kind of drink that feels made for long nights, good music and great company — and it’s fast becoming the ginger beer of the season.

ZERO HEROES

One of the Irish drink industry’s fastest-growing sectors is low and zero alcohol beers, ciders and spirits.

We’ve taken a serious liking to Fierce Mild, a deliciously hoppy 0.0% lager from up Louth way which has made it on to the shelves in Dunnes and Tesco.

As previously reported by Hot Press, former Ireland rugby star Peter O’Mahony is part of the consortium behind Cork’s Active Brewing Company.

“As an athlete, I spent years looking for non-alcoholic options,” O’Mahony reflects. “Over time, it became clear there was a gap for something that worked alongside an active lifestyle, rather than against it. Non-alcoholic beer isn’t a niche anymore – people want alternatives that don’t feel like a compromise.”

Their first 0.0% Lager and Pale Ale offerings suggest that they’re on to a winner.

COCKTAIL RECIPES

Hennessy Cocktails: Shaking Up Perceptions Of Cognac

As versatile as it is socially and culturally expressive, Hennessy is made to be mixed. If you’re looking for lighter, brighter and fresher ways to drink Hennessy, here are two of our summer favourites to make at home.

HENNESSY MARGARITA

Ingredients
• 45.5ml Hennessy V.S
• 20ml Fresh Lime Juice
• 15ml Triple Sec
• 5ml Agave Syrup

Garnish
Lime wedge & Salt Rim

Method
• Add all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
• Shake until chilled.
• Strain into salt-rimmed rocks glass with ice.

HENNESSY BERRY MOJITO

Ingredients
• 35.5ml Hennessy V.S
• 15ml Fresh Lime Juice
• 15ml Sugar Syrup
• 4-5 Berries & Mint

Garnish
Lime wedge

Method
• Muddle berries and mint in the bottom of a shaker tin and add all ingredients with ice.
• Shake until chilled.
• Strain into a highball glass with ice.
• Garnish with a lime wedge and a few berries.

See Hennessy.com for more summer cocktails

ZINGI GIN-GIN

You’re looking for something different – that’s cool, refreshing and genuinely lovely? Look no further than a cocktail that comes to you straight from ginger heaven!

Trust us, it’s more than a bit special!

Ingredients
• 25ml Gin (choose your favourite!)
• 15ml Lime Juice
• 25ml Strawberry Syrup
• Top up with Zingibeer

Decorate with lemon and mint, if you have some handy.

IRISH MANHATTAN

Ingredients
• 50ml Tullamore
• D.E.W. Original
15ml Sweet vermouth
• 5ml Luxardo maraschino liqueur
• Dash Of angostura bitters
• 1 Maraschino cherry
• 1 Orange peel

Method
• Stir 50 ml Tullamore D.E.W. Original, 15ml Sweet Vermouth, 5ml Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur and dashes of Angostura and Orange Bitters together quickly over ice.
• Pour into a chilled coupe glass.
• Zest an orange twist over the surface of the drink, spiral and drop into the glass.

SOLAS LEMON AND MINT COCKTAIL

Ingredients
• Half a can of Lemon & Mint Solas
• 35ml Gin
• Ice
•Lemon Wedge

Method
• Combine all the liquid ingredients in a tall glass with the ice, give it a vigorous stir.
• Add the lemon wedge and ann tu!
• Feel free to add other garnishes and/or use an 0.0 spirit.

Some other lip-smacking Solas cocktail combos are:

• Half a can of Elderflower Solas, 35ml Vodka, Ice and Cucumber
• Half a can of Spicy Ginger Solas, 35ml Dark Rum or Whiskey, Ice and a Lime or Orange Wedge

Again, use an 0.0. spirit if you prefer!