Simon Sedgley

This is one of those recipes that we call 'butterfly collector cocktails'. Unsatisfied with the simple lilting passing of a butterfly on a summer afternoon breeze, the urge is to pin them in ever increasing number in a box...in this case, in a Coupe glass. But never mind, it was a slow Sunday evening and the dishes were done so we said "why not?". We took liberties: substituting Rittenhouse Rye for the Tennessee Whiskey; substituting Cocchi Vermouth Amaro for the Carpano (too much vanilla for us); and substituting Cocchi Barolo Chinato for the Elixir (we have no idea if this is anywhere close as a substitute). And it was lovely, so bravo to the butterfly collector, but we will probably go for something simpler in future so that we can spend more time watching the butterflies.

A lovely after dinner cocktail for those who, like us, prefer them on the delicate side. But we did take some liberties: using Amaro Nardini, thinking that it might vaguely approximate the creator's spice-infused Montenegro; and substituting Italicus for the creme de menthe.

A very sophisticated Martini. We think that the Roquefort stuffed olive works better with the drier sibling 'Three Gulps Martini'. With this one, we go with a faintly chilli stuffed capsicum olive.

Great tip. 2.5ml Grand Marnier worked a treat.