Summer is here and the sun is shining, so this calls for only one thing…cocktails! Whether you’re hosting a garden party, having a chilled BBQ in the back garden, or getting ready for an evening out with your friends, there’s a cocktail for everyone’s taste.
Obviously we’re not all mixologists or bar trained cocktail wizards, but this needn’t put you off, as there are plenty of cocktail recipes that are super easy to make at home, not to mention tasty!
Here are 6 of our favourite quick and simple summer cocktails to suit every occasion:
For a party…
Jamaican rum punch
What you’ll need (For a bowl):
- 2 1/2 cups of orange juice
- 2 1/2 cups of pineapple juice
- 1 cup of white rum
- 1/2 cup of dark rum
- 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons of grenadine syrup
- 1 sliced orange
- 1 sliced lime
How to:
- Mix the orange juice, pineapple juice, rum, lime juice and grenadine syrup together in a punch bowl.
- To garnish, float orange and lime slices in the punch.
- Impress your guests with your tasty concoction.
For a BBQ…
A Blackberry Mojito
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup blackberries
- juice of two limes
- Fresh mint leaves
- 1 tbsp of sugar
- 50ml of light rum
- Soda water
- Crushed ice
How to:
- Muddle the blackberries in a bowl.
- Add the mint to the bottom of the glass and spoon blackberry mixture on top.
- Squeeze the lime juice into a glass and add the mint and sugar. Mash the ingredients together with a spoon, breaking up the mint slightly.
- Add the rum and top with soda water and crushed ice.
For a picnic…
The perfect jug of Pimms
What you’ll need (For a jug):
- 200ml Pimms
- 600ml lemonade
- A bunch of mint
- Sliced cucumber, orange and strawberries
How to:
- Mix the Pimms and lemonade in a jug with some ice.
- Add some sliced cucumber, orange and strawberries and you’re good to go!
To cool off…
White Peach Cooler
What you’ll need:
- Peach puree (Makes enough for 6-8 drinks) – 6 peaches, 2 limes, 1-2 tbsp of sugar
- 1oz of peach vodka
- A splash of club soda
- 1 bunch of mint for garnish
How to:
- To make the puree, wash and pit the peaches with the skin on, cut into small pieces and add to a large pot. Add the sugar, water, and the juice of 2 limes and simmer over a medium heatfor around 20 minutes until the fruit is soft.
- Transfer the peaches to a blender and puree until the mix is smooth. Strain if necessary.
- To make one drink, add plenty of ice to your glass and stir in 2 tbsp of the peach pureee. Add the vodka, a splash of club soda and garnish with mint…et voila, you’ve got yourself a peach cooler!
Before a night out…
Raspberry Limoncello Prosecco
- 3 cups prosecco
- 1 cup limoncello liqueur
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- A bunch of fresh mint
How to:
- Mix together the prosecco and limoncello in a large pitcher.
- Pour over the frozen raspberries and garnish with a sprig of mint.
- Party the night away.
To wind down after work…
Tom Collins
What you’ll need:
- 35ml gin
- 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp of simple syrup
- 1/3 cup of soda water
- Slice of lemon to garnish
How to:
- Pour the gin, lemon juice and syrup into a glass and stir. Add some ice.
- Top with soda water and garnish with a slice of lemon.
- Unwind with your refreshing beverage!
All the taste without the alcohol…
Cherry lemonade
What you’ll need:
- 12 ounces of pitted cherries
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2/3 cup of sugar
- 4 cups of sparkling water
How to:
- Create a cherry syrup by mixing the cherries, lemon juice and sugar in a blender until smooth.
- Serve over ice and top up with sparkling water.
