It’s difficult to try three cocktails in quick succession then try to write a coherent review, especially when they’re as tasty as these, nevertheless I persevered, poor me…

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First up is the fruity Louisiana Jam, which is mixed and served in a rustic jam jar:

Louisiana Jam

Ingredients

• 35mls Southern Comfort
  
• 20mls Lemon Juice
  
• 20mls Apple Juice
  
• 2 teaspoons Apricot Jam
  
• 8 Mint Leaves
  
• 15mls Sugar Syrup
  
• Lemon Wedge
  
• Crushed Ice

Method

Place mint leaves in a jam jar and gently muddle. Place remaining ingredients into the jar and half fill with crushed ice. Put the lid on the jar and shake vigorously, then remove the lid and top up the jar with more crushed ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint.

This is a zesty, tart and gentle cocktail, and makes a lovely refreshing drink after a long day. The mint and lemon cut through the sweetness of the jam and sugar syrup, and compliment the subtle flavours of the Southern Comfort so it doesn’t get too sickly. It’s a comfortable strength and is very moreish, so you can easily drink several without losing the power of coherent speech… Its fruity freshness is like a cross between a Mint Julep and the classic Southern Comfort and Lemonade, making the Louisiana Jam an easy going cocktail, that doesn’t stray too far out of your comfort zone- Ideal to get the evening off to a good start.

For something a little feistier, there’s the Mississippi Mule, which combines spice with ice:

Mississippi Mule

Ingredients

• 35mls Southern Comfort
  
• Juice of 4 Lime Wedges
  
• Old Jamaica Ginger Beer
  
• 3 Dashes Angostura Bitters
  
• Lime Wedges
  
• Cubed Ice

Method

Fill tall glass with cubed ice and add Southern Comfort. Squeeze in lime juice and discard the wedges, then add the Angostura Bitters. Top with Old Jamaica Ginger Beer and garnish with fresh lime wedge.

The Old Jamaica Ginger Beer gives this cocktail a fierce kick; its spicy flavour muscles heartily through each mouthful giving it a comforting, nostalgic taste that, when combined with the lime juice, warms the throat, sets the tongue tingling and definitely perks you up. The Angostura Bitters neutralise the sweetness of this drink, making it quite savoury, and therefore very quaffable, but be sure to glug it quickly before the ice kills the Ginger Beer’s fizz, so the mule kicks all the way to your belly…!

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If you’re after something a little more sophisticated, then the Bayou Fruit Cup is definitely worth a try and it looks stunning:

Bayou Fruit Cup

Ingredients

• 30mls Southern Comfort
  
• 15mls Martini Rosso
  
• Fever Tree Ginger Ale
  
• Lemon Wedges
  
• Apple, Peach, Blackberry, Redberry or seasonal berries/fruits of your choice
  
• Sprig of Mint
  
• Cubed Ice

Method

Fill tall glass with cubed ice and pour in the Southern Comfort. Squeeze and drop the lemon wedges into the glass and add the Martini Rosso. Add the fruit/berries, top with ginger ale and garnish with a sprig of mint.

This cocktail has a really unusual flavour; the sweetness of the Southern Comfort is almost totally eliminated, balanced effortlessly by the savoury tartness of the Martini Rosso. The Fever Tree Ginger Ale is subtle and has a delayed, gently warming effect on the tongue. The fruits add to the ruby colour of the Rosso, and if you mix up a large, punch style batch, soon absorb some of the alcohol to add an extra dimension as you drink. This is my favourite of all three recipes, it has the most unusual flavour, and is really refreshing and tart whilst being warming and dry, almost like a festive version of Pimms- I’d even be tempted to mull it and add a cinnamon stick as a garnish to subtly permeate the other flavours and give an extra Christmassy taste…

For more recipes and further details on the Southern Comfort Mixologists go to www.bigeasycocktails.co.uk or www.southerncomfort.com.