Best cocktail recipes for bareboats

The beautiful tropical sunshine of the Whitsundays calls for some cool cocktails that are easy to make.

Tizzy up that gin & tonic, add some va-voom to your vodka… what ever your poison, we’ve got some inspiration that you can definitely manage on a bareboat holiday in the Whitsundays.

We’ll have you prepared with simple syrup recipes and some interesting fruit and mixer ideas to make the easiest drink mixes exciting.

HOT TIP: If you want to mix up some of these stunning cocktails on your bareboat, remember to bring your cocktail shaker set!
If you don’t have one of those, an everyday protein shaker will also do the job perfectly well.

The following simple syrup recipe is so easy you can even make it on your boat (or prepare it at home with your favourite infusion/s), with thanks to ProFlowers.

Simple Syrup

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of caster sugar

In a saucepan over a medium flame, heat the water, and then add the sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves. Allow to come to a simmer then remove from the heat. (Make a thicker syrup by doubling the sugar to 2 cups).

If infusing, add the flower you’ll be using for infusion to a non-reactive bowl (glass or stainless steel) and pour hot syrup over the top. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes. Once cool, strain the flowers/herbs and bottle in an airtight container.

• Rose Syrup: Use 2 cups of rose petals.
• Lavender Syrup: Use 3 tablespoons of lavender buds.
• Thyme Syrup: Use ½ cup thyme sprigs.

Allow to cool before serving. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Now for the recipes…

Note: 1 oz = 30ml 

Blush Gimlet

15ml rose syrup

75ml gin

15ml lime juice

Put all ingredients into cocktail shaker over an ice cube or two, shake, strain and pour. Add rose petal for decoration.

Lavender Fizz

30ml lavender syrup

60ml gin

90ml soda water

20ml lemon juice

Pour all ingredients into a tall glass over an ice cube or two and top up with soda. Add lavender sprig for decoration.

Simple syrup in a variety of flavours can be used to spice of an easy spirit mix too, or as an ingredient in sangria:

Lemon Thyme Gin & Tonic

15ml thyme syrup

60ml gin

30ml lemon juice

Put all ingredients into cocktail shaker over an ice cube or two, shake, strain and pour, top up with tonic. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh thyme.

Vodka Soda

15ml simple syrup (any flavour)

60ml vodka

30ml lemon juice

Pour all ingredients into a tall glass over an ice cube or two and top up with soft drink of choice. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Summer Fruit Sangria

1 bottle rosé wine

60ml white rum/vodka

60ml rose syrup

handful of fresh strawberries, watermelon cubes, apple pieces

mint leaves

1 bottle soda water / lemonade

In a large (2L) jug or bowl, combine all ingredients and top up with soda/lemonade.