Parka Avenue’s Cocktail Corner: The Summer Edition

With summer now in full swing, the Vespa hitting the pavement on a regular basis and the BBQ season taking off, do I have something in store for you! Planning a Tiki Luau or a backyard Beat and Go-Go party to celebrate the return of the warm weather? 

Any reason is good to whip out the ol' shaker. That’s why I think the timing is perfect for the second installment of Parka Avenue’s Cocktail Corner. A while back, I shared with you a few of my favorite Martini recipes and how you can rival your neighborhood 007 in a shaking contest. Have a look here.

This post will be all about some great summer cocktails. Yes, I like beer as much as the next scooterist, as long as it comes from a micro-brewery. I'll leave the mass produced watered down poor excuse for a beer American type lager to the Rockers thank you very much! Beer is what your bring along at a scooter rally in the woods or when you meet mates at the pub.

We are Mods. We have class and we want the finer things in life. Am I right or am I right? You're wearing a nice Ivy League light seersucker jacket and linen trousers for the first time this season? You're looking forward to showing off your new vintage summer Madras jacket? Then what you need is a chilled cocktail in one hand.

You might think that a backyard BBQ might not be classy enough for some cocktails? Wrong! Do as I do and bring your own portable bar with you!

Try this one for a start.

Ike and Tina Liquor

1 oz Vodka
1/2 Apricot Brandy
1/2 Dry Vermouth
A dash of Angostura bitters

Stir all ingredients well with ice in a pitcher and then strain in a chilled cocktail glass.

Back from a long ride on your Italian chariot and need to relax? This drink will do the trick.

2-Stroke Blue Smoke

2 oz Blue Curacao

1 oz Vodka

1/2 oz Gin

1/2 oz White Rum

A dash of Sprite

Shake the first 5 ingredient in a shaker filled with ice. Strain into a cocktail class. Add a dash of sprite. Garnish with cherry and lemon wheel.

The We Are The Mods radio show with thought provoking and captivating host DJ Warren Peace has swept the Mod world with a vengeance. He makes no qualms about drinking scotch on the job. The rattling of ice cubes and belching on air is proof enough. So why not join him? Tune in to Wake The Nation radio or simply download an episode on iTunes and mix yourself this stiff one concocted in his honour.

You've Been Served With a Warren

2 oz Scotch
1/2 oz Tawny port
1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
A dash of Angostura bitters

In a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients. Stir well. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Want to toast the parka going back in the cedar chest for the next few months? Then this one has your name on it.

The M-51 proof Parka

2 oz Midori melon liqueur

1 oz Bacardi Limon

Sprite

Add a few cubes of ice to an Old-fashioned glass and then add the Midori and Bacardi. Fill the rest of the way with the soda and give a little stir. Garnish with a lime wheel.

If you haven't listened to the Modcast with Eddie Piller & friends yet, than this is the perfect occasion to do so. This entertaining monthly podcast has Eddie rubbing elbows with guests that have some connection to the UK Mod scene. You only need to listen to a few episodes to figure out that Mister Piller's favourite catch phrase is "Mod is a very broad church". He has even mentioned that some listeners have set up betting pools trying to cash in on the time he lets his famous expression out. Now, I propose the Modcast drinking game! Invite your friends over to the pad and have a Modcast listening marathon. The rules are simple. Every time you hear the words, have a sip of my own Sangria recipe dedicated to the show.

The Pillers of a Broad Church Sangria

1 bottle of red wine
2 oz of Brandy
1 oz of Triple Sec
1/2 can of frozen orange juice
1 orange
1 lime
1 lemon
A cup of cherries
1 cinnamon stick
2 cans of Canada Dry ginger ale soda

Poor the brandy in a Mason jar full of cherries and let them marinate over night in the fridge. Slice the fruits into a pitcher and poor the wine over them. Add the cinnamon stick and let sit 12 to 24 hours in the fridge. Mix in the Triple Sec, cherries, brandy, orange juice and ginger ale to the wine just before serving. Serve in a wine glass full of ice.

There you have it folks, a little something for everyone. And remember, Mods don't scoot drunk!