meet the mixologist
rhonda Withers AKA ‘The margarita mum’

 

Biography:

Name: Rhonda Withers

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Instagram: @the_margarita_mum

Experience:

The Margarita Mum is a cocktail and mocktail recipe creator, stylist & photographer. She’s a ‘Drinkstagrammer’ by passion with more than 2000 posts of delicious cocktails, with over four years of creating vivid & impactful content. She’s also collaborated with many different alcohol brands.

    Favourite cocktail and why:

    Margaritas of course! The margarita is an easy to make, happy drink that is great for enjoying with family and friends.

    What do you love about making cocktails?

    I absolutely love the creativity side of cocktail making. I find it very relaxing and enjoyable. I love coming up with new recipe and garnishing/styling ideas. The Margarita Mum brings me so much joy and happiness. What’s the saying about doing something you love and never working a day in your life? Well, this is something I want to work hard at, and I love it.

    What’s the best rum recipe for beginners?

    Definitely a Pina Colada! Who doesn’t love a pina colada?! 

     What’s your favourite Waterford glass?

    I absolutely love the Mixology Rum Large Coupe glass. It is fabulous for margaritas, martinis and daiquiris.

     

    Shop Mixology Rum Collection

    What are the upcoming cocktail trends?

     Cocktail and drink recipes are everywhere now, and there is so much information for home bar enthusiasts to create delicious drinks at home. I have seen an increase in the popularity of well stocked bar trolleys at home. 

    One of the other biggest emerging trends, is low and no alcohol ‘spirits’ including aperitifs, gin, dark spirits and vodka that are offering consumers alternatives to drinking alcohol. My mocktail creations are becoming increasingly popular and I am being regularly asked by followers of the margarita mum and brands to create mocktails! 

    The Margarita Mum’s ‘Glorious Garnishes’ cocktails


    Like mum, Strawberry Daiquiris are a cause for celebration! To wrap up Rhonda’s Mother’s Day cocktail recipes, enjoy this cocktail classic with a minty sorbet twist!

     

     

    The Margarita Mum Strawberry Daiquiri
    Featuring our Mixology Rum Large Coupes and Cocktail Shaker

    Ingredients

    • 60ml Light rum
    • 15ml Freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 30ml Simple syrup
    • 3 Strawberries

    For the sorbet:

    • 2 Cups frozen strawberries
    • 1 Cup ice
    • 6 Mint leaves

    Method

    STEP 1: Prepare the sorbet first. Place 2 cups of frozen strawberries, 1 cup ice, 6 mint leaves and dash of water into a high-speed blender and whiz until a sorbet consistency is achieved. Add more water if required. Sugar is optional here! If you like to live on the sweeter side, add sugar to taste.

    STEP 2: Muddle the strawberries in a Cocktail Shaker.

    STEP 3: Add all other ingredients with ice and shake vigorously until combined.

    STEP 4: Spoon the delicious sorbet into the Large Coupes and slowly pour (double strain) the cocktail around the sorbet.

    FINISH: Garnish with strawberries and edible flowers.


    In the midst of the creative process for this recipe, Rhonda couldn’t decide which rum cocktail was more delicious: A Planter or a Hurricane Punch. The solution was quite simple: why not combine them both?

     

     

    The Margarita Mum Planter Hurricane Punch
    Featuring our Mixology Rum Hi-Ball, Hurricane and Pitcher

    Ingredients

    • 30ml Rum (Gold)
    • 30ml Rum (Light)
    • 30ml Unsweetened pineapple juice
    • 30ml Fresh orange juice
    • 15ml Lime juice
    • 15ml Grenadine
    • 1 Teaspoon passion fruit pulp
    • Dehydrated orange and pineapple slices
    • Fresh Mint

    Method

    STEP 1: Fill a hi-ball and a hurricane glass with ice.

    STEP 2: Place dehydrated oranges in a pitcher and pour in all ingredients. Stir well until combined.

    STEP 3: Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously until combined.

    STEP 4: Pour into your hi-ball and hurricane glasses.

    FINISH: Garnish with dehydrated orange and pineapple slices, as well as fresh mint.


    This recipe is Rhonda’s spin on the ‘Knickerbocker’. The Knickerbocker is said to be a cocktail from the mid-1800s. Its name is based on the nickname of New York’s Dutch settlers who wore their pants (knickers) rolled up just below the knee.

     

    The Margarita Mum Knickerbocker
    Featuring our Mixology Rum Tumblers and Cocktail Shaker

    Ingredients

    • 45ml rum (gold)
    • 15ml Cointreau
    • 15ml homemade raspberry syrup
    • 15ml lime juice

    For the Raspberry Syrup

    • 1 cup frozen raspberries
    • 1 cup sugar or 2 tablespoons organic stevia
    • 1 cup water

    Method

    STEP 1: Place the syrup ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer until liquid halves. Allow to fully cool before use. For a sugar free version, you can substitute the sugar for 2 tablespoons of organic stevia. 

    STEP 2: Fill a couple tumblers with Ice.

    STEP 3: Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously until combined. 

    STEP 4: Double strain into the tumblers.

    FINISH: Serve with burnt dehydrated lime and fresh mint for a glorious garnish finish.

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