I don’t really have a favourite cocktail, or something I order without fail every time. Of course I love Pimms and any unique interpretation of a Pimms Cup will have my attention (like my Garden Party cocktail). I like seeing ingredients like kaffir lime leaves or pandan in a fusion drink done well (like my Passionfruit Kaffir Lime Lemonade). An interesting infusion could be the tipping point, like chilli vodka or maybe a fun novelty garnish. But I suppose it’s just a matter of the flavour combination that suits the atmosphere and my mood at the time. Maybe it’s something new that I wouldn’t have thought of that excites me, or maybe it’s a classic combo that never goes out of style. Anyone else have Taylor Swift in their head now? You’re welcome.

This cocktail is an example of that – combining two complementary flavour combinations in the one drink that really makes it something special. Lime, mint and rum, oh yeah – it’s the basis for the classic Mojito cocktail that people love all over the world. But the combination of mint, rosewater, edible rose petals and white chocolate liqueur is also wonderful and surprising – inspired by Turkish Delight – one of my favourite sweets. But before you start thinking this drink is sickly sweet, it’s definitely not. It’s actually one of the most delicious, refreshing but more-ish cocktails I’ve ever made. The lime and mint help cut through any sweetness, and I didn’t want to stop drinking it.

I love making a big shared cocktail or mocktail drink when my friends come over or whenever I’m hosting a dinner party. My go-to used to be a fruity iced tea served in a trifle bowl, but I am definitely going to make this in a large pitcher next time. The girls will totally love this. It’s such a girly and feminine looking drink.

It’s also super easy to make, you don’t even need a cocktail shaker or a muddler. I used the flat end of my whisk to muddle the lime, mint and rose petals together in a regular tall glass. Make sure you use organic, unsprayed roses for this, or if you can’t find them, skip the petals in the drink itself. If you are just using them for garnish and aren’t eating the flowers, it’s okay to use regular roses.

I was actually going to muddle in fresh pomegranate, which would have turned this drink a beautiful pink colour, but I finished taking these photos, completely forgetting that it was sitting in my fridge until I was done! It would be delicious though, so you should totally do that because it would add a lovely sweetness and tartness at the same time. Then it’s just a matter of adding your booze and crushed ice, stirring gently with a long spoon to combine all those flavours and topping up with soda. Easy!

Turkish Delight Mojito

Serves 1

• Half a lime, end removed and cut into quarters
• 8 fresh mint leaves (plus an extra sprig for garnish)
• 8 organic, unsprayed rose petals (optional, plus extra for garnish)
• Handful of pomegranate seeds (optional – I forgot to add mine but it would be lovely)
• 45ml white rum
• 30ml white chocolate liqueur
• 15ml rosewater (or to taste)
• Crushed ice
• Dash of soda water

Put the lime wedges into a tall glass. Clap your hands together with the mint and rose petals in between and place into the glass with the lime. Muddle to release the juice, but don’t overdo it. If you don’t have a muddler, use the flat end of your whisk or rolling pin. If you are using pomegranate, muddle it together also in this step.

Half fill the glass with crushed ice and pour in the white rum, white chocolate liqueur and rosewater. Stir the mix together combine the flavours. Top up with crushed ice, a splash of the soda water and garnish it with a sprig of mint, a small rose and extra pomegranate if using.