Lucy Tombs
Over the past year we have had to get resourceful in the kitchen, cooking up our favourite meals and drinks instead of going out. However, now that we can head back to our local pubs and bars some of us have been going a bit overboard with the cocktails! Whilst these Friday nights out and happy hours are enjoyable, they don’t always agree with our bank accounts! To skip the extra cost of those restaurant drinks and to try something a bit different, follow the recipes below to whisk up some scrumptious summer cocktails. Making drinks at home is a great activity to do with your friends and family, plus these drinks are the perfect addition to any garden party this summer. From frozen cocktails to classics with a twist, this list has it all and even a few mocktails for those who don’t fancy a hangover!
Cocktails
Tropical Mojito
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 5 mint leaves
- 1 shot white rum
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 60ml pineapple juice
- ½ passionfruit
- Approx. 1 splash soda water
Method
- Step 1
- Combine the lime juice, soda water, rum and pineapple juice in a glass.
- Step 2
- Garnish the mojito with the halved passionfruit and mint leaves and serve.
Pink Gin Spritz
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 1-2 shots pink gin of choice
- 100ml pink soda water or pink lemonade
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- 2 fine lemon slices
- 4-5 whole Raspberries
Method
- Step 1
- Combine the lemon juice, gin and your soda water or lemonade in a glass.
- Step 2
- Garnish your drink with lemon slices and raspberries and serve.
Twister Slushy Cocktail
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 2 shots vodka
- 2 whole Twister lollies
- Small handful of ice
- Lime slices
Method
- Step 1
- Remove the stick from your Twister lollies and add to a blender.
- Step 2
- Blend together the Twisters, vodka and a small handful of ice.
- Step 3
- Pour into a glass, garnish with a lime slice and serve immediately.
Blue Lemonade
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 1 shot blue curaçao
- 1 shot white rum
- 100 ml lemonade
- 1 lemon, sliced
- crushed ice
- 2 maraschino cherries
Method
- Step 1
- Place crushed ice into a glass and add the blue curaçao and rum. Pour over 100ml lemonade.
- Step 2
- Skewer 2 maraschino cherries and a lemon slice on a cocktail stick or paper umbrella to garnish drinks before serving.
Rum Sunset
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 150ml orange juice
- 1 shot light rum
- 1 tbsp. grenadine
- Ice
- Lime slices, for garnish
Method
- Step 1
- Combine half of your orange juice and rum in a glass filled with ice.
- Step 2
- Mix the leftover orange juice and rum with the grenadine. Gradually pour the remaining mixture into your glass so it settles on the bottom to create an ombré effect.
- Step 4
- Garnish with lime slices and serve.
Mocktails
Peach Melba Punch
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 3 Peaches
- 120ml pineapple juice
- 175g fresh raspberries
- 600ml lemonade
- Ice
- Mint
Method
- Step 1
- Roughly chop up 2 fresh peaches. Pour the pineapple juice and these peach pieces into a blender. Blend these together until smooth. Transfer to a sieve positioned over a bowl and using a spoon, press the mixture through the sieve.
- Step 2
- Place 1/2 of your raspberries into a bowl and crush up with a fork. Thinly slice the leftover peach.
- Step 3
- Place some ice cubes in a large jug. Add the peach slices, purée and crushed and whole raspberries. Pour over lemonade and stir to combine. Top your drink with fresh mint and serve.
Watermelon Nojitos
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 32g caster sugar
- 750ml watermelon, peeled and chopped
- 1 lime, sliced
- 135ml soda water
- Mint
- Ice
Method:
- Step 1
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup of water and cook over medium heat. Stir this mixture for 5 minutes until the sugar fully dissolves. Increase the heat to high and bring to the boil. Boil for a further 5 minutes. Remove from heat and leave your mixture to completely cool.
- Step 2
- Place watermelon into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Step 3
- In a jug, slightly crush the lime slices to release the juice. Add watermelon, soda water, lime juice and cooled sugar syrup. Stir to combine. Add fresh mint.
- Step 4
- On a plate, combine some extra sugar and lime rind. Dip the rim of each glass into some water, then into the sugar. Pour in the prepared cocktail and serve straightaway.
Featured image courtesy of Helena Yankovska on Unsplash. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.