Easy Summer Cocktail Recipes

Lucy Tombs

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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

Everyone knows the classic drink that is a mojito. They are perfect for the summer and extremely refreshing, right? Well, if you didn’t think it could get any better, this recipe puts a tropical spin on your summer favourite and incorporates exotic fruits including pineapple and passionfruit to create the ultimate cocktail.

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

A pink gin may seem like a basic drink; however, this pink gin spritz is one of my favourite drinks for the summer! It is a great option for those of us who want a cocktail that isn’t too heavy and is very easy to recreate at home. 

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

An ice lolly in the summer is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day, so why not make it even better by turning it into a cocktail? This recipe has been trending on websites such as Pinterest for a while now and goes down a treat in this warm weather! 

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

Celebrate the summer with a glass of this sweet and tangy blue lemonade which puts a spin on your usual lemonade mixer. This is also the perfect drink for summer photos as its neon blue colour catches the eye and is a treat for your tastebuds.

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

This cocktail is another classic with a bit of edge. We have all heard of the Tequila Sunrise, so say hello to the Rum Sunset! Whilst drinking this zesty cocktail you will think you’re on a gorgeous Caribbean beach watching the sunset; it’s the ideal staycation beverage. 

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 

Peach is one of my favourite ingredients to incorporate into summer drinks. Its sweet and summery taste always puts me into a good mood and this punch is a delightful non-alcoholic option for any barbecue this summer.

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

Watermelon is without a doubt the fruit of the summer! From slices to sorbets, most people are obsessed with this fruit. These Nojitos combine fresh mint with watermelon to create the ultimate summertime flavour. 

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.

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Featured image courtesy of Helena Yankovska on Unsplash. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.