We love when we can combine a business trip with a little pleasure, and recently we got a chance to rush off to Vancouver for a little business mixed with Joy time. Unfortunately, when we travel the window for socializing is pretty small, and we only got to spend a little time with Joy and her beau Jens. It was the first time meeting him, and we were not disappointed. Cute, funny, social, very admirable and this guy can get his drink on! All wonderful traits don’t you think? It only seemed appropriate to name this refreshing summer drink after them, since it was inspired by the brief but wonderful encounter. Hope you enjoy A Joy and Jens Cocktail as much as we do.
After dinner, Jens introduced us to a proper Irish pub where he further introduced us to a drink made with beer and Ribena. Ribena? This was new to us, and we were really intrigued. Jens continued to educate us on this new-to-us and mysterious beverage. Come to find out Ribena is a non-carbonated, fruit-based juice, that originates in the UK. Most commonly it is made with blackcurrants and is sold as a concentrate; very syrupy. A bonus is that is it high in vitamin C!
Jens proceeded to share with us how it was delicious in beer, as well as other cocktails. After that conversation, I could not want to get my hands on some of this magically Ribena. The next day, I ventured out to find it. I searched high and low, and finally, I found some in the drug store of all places. I could not wait to get home and pour the deep black syrup over some chilly ice cubes.
We had a week of rather balmy weather upon our return, which was the perfect excuse to get our cocktail on. In honor of Joy and Jens, we made these cocktails using the Ribena and their poison of choice, vodka. You may think this sounds like a vodka tonic but with the added blackcurrant and heavy splash of lime, it takes a tonic to another place. Not overly sweet but rather refreshing. It was hard to stop after just one.
In the US I have found Ribena over at Amazon as well as in Target occasionally.
More Ribena Inspired Cocktails
Joy and Jens Cocktail
Not sure what to do with that bottle of Ribena? Make a Joy and Jens cocktail adding vodka, tonic and lime. Super freshing on a hot summer day.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. ribena
- tonic
- ice
- 1 lime
Instructions
Put a few ice cubes into a cocktail glass.
Layer the ingredients to make the presentation WOW.
Gently pour the Ribena over the ice, then the vodka and finally slowly pour the tonic on top.
Use a gentle hand and pour slowly to create the layers.
Squeeze half of a lime over the top.
Garnish with a lime slice.
Serve.
Drink.
Notes
For adding punch use ice cubes made from tonic instead of water.
Marisa @ The College Cuisiner
Saturday 8th of October 2011
Everytime my family visits from England they bring us a huge bag of tea and Ribena. I never thought of using it as a syrup for coktails, great idea! Everytime I tell someone I love "Blackberry cordial" they think it is alcoholic drink, guess I can use it now!
Denise Woodward
Sunday 9th of October 2011
Marisa, this was our first Ribena experience, and a good one to that. Excited to try it in other recipes as well as cocktails. What is a favorite of yours?
Lynne
Saturday 8th of October 2011
I know Ribena well after living in England for a few years. It's a great concentrated drink syrup that would be delicious incorporated into just about anything-not sure about the beer, though! Your drink looks delicious!
Denise Woodward
Sunday 9th of October 2011
Lynne, we thought the same thing ... beer? Trust us it was amazing. I need to find out what type of beer it was and add the recipe here. You would love it. If you like beer and Ribena, that is.
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Friday 7th of October 2011
Now I want some. BAD! Come on over and leave your drink in the links for Happy Hour Friday...this is a cool one.
https://www.creative-culinary.com/apple-cider-ginger-ale-and-bourbon-cocktail
Denise Woodward
Sunday 9th of October 2011
It is pretty darn good, Barbara. Just knew we had to bring it back with us from Vancouver. Brought back the biggest bottle that we could!
Joy
Friday 7th of October 2011
Awww...aren't you sweet? We need to get Ribena ourselves and make these. We got a bottle of sour cherry syrup and Jens has been making drinks from it. Time to move on to the next fruit syrup.
You really stocked up -- that's a huge bottle! Haha.
Miss you guys! Come back to Vancouver soon. :)
Denise Woodward
Sunday 9th of October 2011
Joy - Thanks to you both we now have a new love/addiction. Sour Cherry? Need to get our hands on some of that .......
Sam @TheSecondLunch
Friday 7th of October 2011
I learned about Ribena at an early age - my preschool teacher in Montessori school loved the stuff (and shared!)
Denise Woodward
Sunday 9th of October 2011
Sam, hopefully your Montessori teacher left out the vodka! :)