Sunny skies, evening BBQs and fruity drinks with friends – the summer season is officially here! There’s nothing we love more than finishing work and heading straight to the garden to make the most of the sunshine… and it’s even better with a summer cocktail or mocktail in hand. Pure bliss!
Whether you’re a gin girly or you prefer something soft, we’ve got the perfect summer cocktail recipe for you. So invite your besties over, fire up the barbie and mix up a selection of these refreshing cocktail recipes to enjoy as the sun sets.
Elderflower Spritz
Elderflower is such a classic summer ingredient – it’s so light and refreshing, and here it adds a little sweetness to a sharp shot of gin. This summer cocktail recipe is perfect for weekend afternoons, served with delicate sandwiches and fresh fruit.
Ingredients:
- 50ml gin
- 25ml elderflower liqueur
- 75ml sparkling water
- Cucumber slices, lemon or rosemary leaves (for garnish)
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
- Add gin and elderflower liqueur to the glass.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Top it up with sparkling water.
- Garnish with cucumber slices.
- Sit back and feel refreshed!
French 75
For your most elegant friend, a French 75 has that old school summer glamour – the classic, simple flavours are a great temper for the blazing sunshine. Best enjoyed from behind a huge pair of sunglasses!
Ingredients:
- 30ml gin
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- 10ml simple syrup
- Champagne or sparkling wine
- Lemon twist (for garnish)
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes then add gin, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Shake well to combine the ingredients.
- Strain the cocktail into a chilled flute or champagne glass.
- Top it up with Champagne or sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
- Sip and enjoy the classic French elegance!
Cucumber Mint Cooler
When it’s really hot outside, cucumber is great for an instant cooling affect. Mixed with mint and lime, this vodka-based cocktail recipe is a real crowd pleaser – mix up a pitcher and keep it in the fridge for maximum chill factor.
Ingredients:
- 50ml vodka
- 25ml fresh lime juice
- 15ml simple syrup
- 4-5 cucumber slices
- Fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a tumbler, muddle the cucumber slices and mint leaves then fill with ice cubes.
- Add vodka, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the glass and stir gently to combine the ingredients.
- Top up with soda water and garnish with additional cucumber slices and mint leaves.
- Cheers with friends!
Tropical Breeze
Want to feel like you’re on a far-flung beach when you’re actually sitting in your garden in Birmingham? We got you! This fruity summer cocktail is giving white sand, clear blue sea and zero responsibilities. To really get into the spirit, serve in a coconut!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz rum
- 1 oz coconut rum
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 2 oz orange juice
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1 tbsp simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes
Add the rum, coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. - Shake the mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds to combine the flavours and chill the cocktail.
- Take a highball or Collins glass and fill it with ice cubes.
- Strain the cocktail mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass.
- Garnish the cocktail with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry on a cocktail stick.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the tropical vibes!
Aperol Spritz
Nothing says summer like an Aperol Spritz! This timeless summer cocktail recipe is light and refreshing with a distinctive orange flavour and a fizzy finish. Simply delicious and a great pairing for your fave BBQ food.
Ingredients:
- 3oz Aperol
- 3oz Prosecco (or any dry sparkling wine)
- 1oz soda water
- Ice cubes
- Orange slices, for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a wine glass or a highball glass with ice cubes and pour over the Aperol.
- Add the Prosecco to the glass and top it off with soda water. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
- Garnish the glass with a slice of orange.
- For a larger batch, multiply the ingredients and mix them in a pitcher before pouring into individual glasses to serve your whole group.
Citrus Splash (Mocktail)
For mocktail fans, this non-alcoholic summer cocktail is super fruity with lots of zingy citrus – great for kids and adults alike. Finish your glasses with a kitsch cocktail umbrella for that retro feel!
Ingredients:
- 8 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
- 4 oz cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 oz cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup (adjust according to taste)
- 8 oz sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon or lime slices (for garnish)
- Mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions:
- In a pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice
- Add the simple syrup and stir to incorporate the sweetness. Taste the mixture and adjust the amount of simple syrup to your preference.
- Fill serving glasses with ice cubes. Pour the citrus juice mixture over the ice, filling the glasses about three quarters of the way.
- Top each glass with sparkling water to add a refreshing twist. Stir to combine.
- Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon or lime and a few fresh mint leaves.
- To add a little something extra, get creative with sliced strawberries, muddled basil or a splash of cranberry juice.
Fresh and Fruity Mix (Mocktail)
This fruity mocktail uses grenadine syrup, which is non-alcoholic and perfect for adding a grown-up twist to soft drinks. Be prepared to make lots of this one – it’s a great thirst-quencher in hot weather.
Ingredients:
- 8oz pineapple juice
- 4oz orange juice
- 2oz cranberry juice
- 2oz lime juice
- 2 tablespoons grenadine syrup
- 8oz sparkling water or soda water
- Ice cubes
- Slices of fresh fruit such as pineapple, orange and lime for garnish
Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker or a mixing glass, combine the pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, lime juice and grenadine syrup. Stir well.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the fruit juice mixture over the ice, filling the glass about three quarters full.
- Top off with sparkling water or soda water.
- Garnish with fruit slices and serve immediately.