Summer’s calling and it’s bringing a long, tall glass of something chilled and refreshing to sip while you settle in to watch a little Wimbledon! The Center Court Sipper is my ode to British summer afternoons – light, floral and just a little bit special. With elderflower, a touch of citrus and the Reverend Hubert Summer Cup as its base. It’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy in the sun!
Lou’s tasting notes
TASTE: Light, floral with a burst of elderflower and citrus
SERVE IN: A tumbler or highball glass filled with plenty of ice.
GARNISH: Fresh rosemary sprig, dried orange wheel or swap for a lemon twist
There’s something special about a summer cocktail that feels both effortless and a little bit celebratory. For me, the Centre Court Sipper is exactly that – a drink inspired by lazy afternoons in the garden, the gentle thwack of tennis on TV in the background and a big bowl of strawberries and cream within easy reach.
This one all started with my absolute favourite, made here in the Cotswolds, the Reverend Hubert Summer Cup. The Rev – who was a real, actual Revernd by the way – is a beautifully balanced British aperitif made with citrus, botanicals and just a touch of spice.
The recipe is inspired by the Reverend’s own homemade concoctions, batches he’d blend to share with family and friends at summer fêtes and Christmas gatherings. And now it’s the turn of great-grandson Thomas to share these delights with the rest of us.
And so I knew that I wanted to create something that captured that same spirit – fresh, floral and just sweet enough. It’s the kind of cocktail you can pour for friends or enjoy all to yourself as the sun starts to dip behind the fence.
Why you’ll love the Centre Court Sipper
If you’re looking for a drink that’s as refreshing as it is elegant, then you’ll fall in love with this Centre Court Sipper. But let me also tell you why it’s the perfect cocktail for summer…
- Make-ahead ease: Mix the spirits ahead of time and keep them chilled, so when you’re ready to serve, it’s just a quick pour over ice. Ideal for relaxed garden gatherings or impromptu evenings in the sun.
- Light, floral flavour: The combination of elderflower, citrus and a touch of rhubarb bitters creates a beautifully balanced sip that’s crisp and refreshing without being too sweet.
- Simple but special: With its vibrant garnish and golden colour, the Centre Court Sipper feels effortlessly elegant. Impressive enough for your guests but easy enough to make any enjoy by yourself.
Ingredients
You might not have everything on hand, but if you love a good summer sip, these are the bits that make this cocktail feel fresh, floral, and a little bit special. Here’s everything you’ll need to make it…
- Reverend Hubert Summer Cup: Since I discovered the Rev, it has been my go-to base for mixing up long, sip-worthy cocktails. With a bright, fruity kick from from Amalfi lemons, Sri Lankan spices to English rhubarb, it instantly feels like summer.
- St Germain Elderflower Liqueur: I discovered St Germain by accident, thinking it would be too floral and dry, but I was pleasantly surprised. The liqueurbr adds a soft floral sweetness that lifts everything; and it’s amazing in spritzes too.
- Italicus or Earl Grey–Infused Vodka: I wanted to bring a drier citrus to the sipper, and the Italicus does that with delicate bergamot. If you don’t want to buy another bottle, or aren’t a bergamot fan, then you can infuse vodka or Earl Grey tea for an easy twist.
- Cocchi Americano: Lightly bitter and crisp, perfect for balancing the sweetness of the Reverend and St Germain.
- Rhubarb Bitters: Just a few dashes for a gentle tartness; or swap for orange bitters.
- Tonic Water or Elderflower Presse: I love the Fevertree Mediterranean tonic for a drier finish with a touch of herbiness, but if you prefer something a bitter sweeter, swap for elderflower presse.
Recommended ingredients
FAQs about Centre Court Sipper summer cocktail
Yes you can – so it’s perfect for taking with you on picnics! Just mix the spirits and bitters together in advance and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Make a batch of serving and pop in a bottle. When you’re ready to serve, simply pour over fresh ice, top with tonic or elderflower presse and garnish.
If you can’t Reverend Hubert, don’t worry for that classic British summer vibe you can use another fruit cup liqueur. Just keep in mind the flavour will vary slightly, so you may need to taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
If you don’t have Cocchi Americano, try using Lillet Blanc or dry vermouth for a similar floral, citrusy character. Each will bring its own subtle twist to the cocktail.
Not everyone is a fan of bergamot, so if you prefer, you can skip the Italicus and use plain vodka for a cleaner taste. If you don’t have Italicus, you can infuse 100ml of vodka with a floral Earl Grey tea bag for about 2 hours.
Absolutely! To create a lower alcohol version, use a non-alcoholic aperitif as the base, like Everleaf Mountain or Lyre’s Italian Spritz (my favourite zero-alcohol switch), swap the vodka for more tonic or elderflower presse. You’ll keep the same refreshing character, just a little lighter.
Enjoy this cocktail responsibly and only if you’re over the legal drinking age in your country.
For more information, please visit Drinkaware.co.uk
More summer recipes to try
If you liked this Centre Court Sipper cocktail recipe here are some other recipes that I think you’d enjoy…
Centre Court Sipper – Summer Cocktail
Ingredients
- 50 ml Reverend Hubert Summer Cup or alternative Summer Cup
- 30 ml St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
- 25 ml Italicus or Earl Grey–infused vodka
- 15 ml Cocchi Americano
- 3 dashes Rhubarb Bitters
- Tonic Water or Elderflower Presse, to top
- Ice
- Dried Orange Wheel for garnish
- Rosemary Sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a tumbler or highball glass with fresh ice.
- Pour in the Summer Cup, St Germain, Italicus (or Earl Grey vodka), Cocchi Americano and bitters.
- Top up with tonic water or elderflower presse.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with a dried orange wheel and rosemary sprig.
- Sip and enjoy in the sunshine.
Notes
Nutrition
DISCLAIMER
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
