Cocktail purees
Cocktail purees are a fantastic way to elevate a drink, adding layers of complexity and offering a fresh twist on classic recipes. These versatile syrups are not only easy to craft but can seamlessly enhance both cocktails and mocktails alike. Whether you're looking to experiment with new flavours or refine a honoured favourite, cocktail purees provide an effortless yet impactful way to transform your drinks into something truly special.
Recipe
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2 cups of fruit - fresh or frozen
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2 tablespoons of sugar
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2 tablespoons of water
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1 1/2 oz lemon or lime juice
Method
Step 1-
Wash peel and pit the fruit before roughly chopping into large chunks as needed.
If your fruit has a peel and pit, such as a peach, you’ll need to boil and remove the skin before pitting and chopping.
Step 2-
​Add the chopped fruit to a bowl. Sprinkle the sugar over the fresh fruit and then use a spoon to stir and coat the fruit. Set aside and let the fruit macerate for at least 20 minutes on the counter
Step 3-
​Add the chopped fruit and the water to a high-speed blender. Cover and blend the fruit for 2-3 minutes, or until a thick, smooth sauce forms.
Step 4-
​Place a sieve or fine-mesh strainer over a bowl. Pour the fruit puree into the strainer and use a rubber spatula to press the puree through the strainer, discarding the seeds, pulp, and any solids.
Step 5-
​To the bowl with the puree, add in the lemon or lime juice and salt. Stir well to combine. Taste the fruit puree and adjust as necessary – adding more sugar for sweetness, citrus juice for acidity, salt for overall flavor, and/or water to thin it out.
Step 6-
​Cover the bowl or transfer the puree to a pitcher and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
How to prepare some fruits
Strawberries- Wash and remove stems. Cut any large berries in half.
Pineapple- Use a sharp Chef’s knife to remove the outer rind from the pineapple. Then, use the knife to cut the pineapple from the inner core. Finally, chop the fruit.
Apples- Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin. Next, use a sharp knife to cut the apple’s flesh from the core. Then, chop the apple into large chunks.
Watermelon- Use chef’s knife to cut the flesh from the skin. Then, use your fingers to remove all the seeds (beans). You do NOT need to add water when using watermelon to make puree!
Peaches- Use frozen slices to make life easy. Or for fresh, wash the peach and then score the skin. Boil to soften the skin and then peel the skin from the flesh. Use a sharp knife to cut the flesh off the pit.
Mangos- Use frozen chunks to make life easy. Or for fresh, hold the mango upright and with a small paring knife, carefully slice half of the mango from the pit, keeping your knife towards the center of the mango. Turn the mango 180-degrees and repeat. Next, use your knife to make crosshatch or grid-like lines through the mango flesh, being careful NOT to cut through the skin. Push on the mango skin to invert it and pop-up the little cubes of mango flesh. Then, use your knife to carefully slice the mango cubes from the skin.
Stone Fruits- Wash the fruit. Then boil to peel and remove the skin. Finally, remove and discard the pits.
Pome Fruits- If using fruits with a “core”, such as an apple or pear, wash the fruit before peeling and discarding the flesh. Finally, remove and discard the tough core before chopping.
Cocktails you can use the purees for
Mango and jalepeno Margaritas
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2oz Tequila
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1oz cointreau or triple sec
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1oz lime juice
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1-2oz mango puree
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3-4 slices of jalepeno
Mango Margarita at Antigua boat show 2022
Rim the margarita glass with tajin or salt. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake until chilled. double stain into the pre rimmed glass and garnish with a lime wheel and a jalapeño.
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Note- Add more mango puree if a sweeter drink is preferred.
Add more jalapeños if a spicier drink i preferred.
Can be either shaken or frozen.
Raspberry and elderflower spritz
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1oz st germain
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1oz raspberry puree
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3oz procecco
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2oz soda water
Rasberry lemonchello spritz MY Amore
Add all of the ingredients into a white wine glass, stir to combine. Garnish with a couple of raspberries on a cocktail stick and add a straw.
Home made strawberry Lemonade
Many traditional homemade lemonade recipes require using a stove to prepare a simple syrup, which can be time-consuming—especially when you're on a tight schedule. The easiest, quickest, and most effective homemade lemonade recipe I've found eliminates this step. This way, you can skip the time spent making syrup, allowing you to whip up a refreshing beverage without interrupting your workflow or taking too much time away from other tasks.
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10 lemons
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2 cups of sugar
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6 cups of water
​Recipe
Spiked Watermelon lemonade MY Santosh
To make this lemonade recipe all you need to do in combine all ingredients into a pitcher and pour out as needed. This is such a versatile recipe that you can add any fruit puree to it, so for a strawberry one just add 1oz of strawberry puree. This can also be made into a cocktail by adding 2oz of your favrouite liquor, personally I think Vodka is best as it does not overwhelm the flavours of the lemonade and puree.
I really hope you have enjoyed this post about cocktail purees and enjoy making them for yourself and guests.
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All the best
Charlotte