It’s a difficult job but someone’s got to do it …. Cocktail supremo Francis Thurstun-Crees has exclusively designed this fabulous summer drink exclusively for Living In readers….

"I have always been intrigued by cocktails; I love the style and social atmosphere around them. I enjoy the whole performance in making the drink (I do indulge in some cocktail flair ) – I probably watched too many James Bond films! Technically, the first thing I ever tasted in this world was a cocktail. The midwife gave me Rescue Remedy when I was born, a concoction of herbs and flowers blended with brandy. You could say I was hooked from the very start. I started a cocktail blog last year as I wanted a platform to show some of my inventions and to write about making cocktail ingredients as well as covering the history of some classic drinks.

I create drinks for private parties; I always like to create a drink that is unique to the event. For example creating a bride and groom’s drink for a wedding or something naughty for a hen party.

My future plans are for Drama School, where I will be starting in October. I plan to juggle both my Performing Arts and my passion for cocktails. I will keep mixing and creating, although on a student budget of course! I am writing a script for a play revolving around cocktails and hope to serve them to audience members.

I have received wonderful products from various alcohol producers that I use in my blog and I am always on the lookout for new products and sponsorship.

The Felixstowe Fiddle-Dill

Ingredients

• Adnams Copper House Gin 50ml
• Fresh Lemon Juice 25ml
• Sugar Syrup 12.5ml
• Basil 6-12 leaves
• Dill 2-4 stems
• Pinch of sea salt
• Garnish – Basil Flower

Method

Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, filled three-quarters with ice. Shake until chilled, fine strain (small specs of dill will get through, it’s a fiddle to get them all out) into a rocks glass( a tumbler) with one large ice cube. ( I use large silicone moulds 2.5 inch square )

This is a short fresh herbal drink with citric flavours, perfect for Gin lovers.

The inspiration for this drink comes from fish and chips, not in the sense of flavours ( fish and chip cocktail does not sound appealing ) but a drink to enjoy with those golden chips and crispy fish. The drink will cut through the fatty flavours. I always like a dill pickle with my fish and chips, hence the dill in the drink.

I always loved ( and still do ) clambering over the huge boulders on the beach therefore the use of a large ice cube in this cocktail!”

The Woodbridge Wanderer

Ingredients

• Adnams Rising Sun Gin 37.5ml
•  Limoncello 25ml
•  Elderflower cordial 25ml
•  Soda water – Top
• Garnish – Cucumber Ribbons +Mint Sprig.

Method

Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker excluding the soda water, filled three-quarters with ice. Shake until chilled, strain into a tall glass filled with cracked ice. Top off with Soda water and give a gentile stir,

This is a long refreshing drinks with citrus , botanical and floral notes , a great choice to keep cool on the hot days to come.

The Inspiration for this drink comes from the summer hedge rows that were brimming with elderflower especially in the Suffolk meadows around Woodbridge.

For me, summer starts when the elderflower is out as I love to make my own cordial. Elderflower pairs well with Limoncello and the flavour of lemongrass in the Rising Sun Gin adds an intriguing complexity to the drink. After all, how can you have summer without Gin! Even though there is a small amount of cucumber present the flavour is carried through, bringing that cool cucumber sensation.”

For more information go to www.actingforalcohol.com