It’s cocktail season again. While there are so many fun drinks that you can try, some are much better for beating the summer heat than others (hot toddies are definitely off the menu!). Below are just some of the most refreshing cocktails worth trying this summer.
Mai Tai
Named after the tahitian phrase ‘mai tai-roa ae’ (which means ‘out of this world’), the Mai Tai became so popular in the 1940s and 50s that it supposedly depleted the world’s rum supplies.
The summery cocktail traditionally consists of golden rum, orange curacao, orgeat syrup and lime juice. This is then shaken with ice until cold. Commonly served in tiki bars, this is great for a polynesian-themed night. You can even buy yourself a tiki glass to serve it in.
Tequila sunrise
The tequila sunrise doesn’t just taste amazing, but is also very easy to make. It consists of tequila, orange juice and grenadine syrup. This is typically served unmixed in a tall glass (for that authentic cocktail bar look, garnish it with an orange slice and a cherry on a cocktail stick).
Its bright citrusy taste is certain to leave you feeling refreshed. And if you’re wondering why it’s called a ‘sunrise’, it’s because the colours in the glass look like a dawn sky (it’s not because you should drink it at sunrise).
Elderflower spritz
An Elderflower spritz is a mixture of prosecco, elderflower liqueur and soda water. Some people also like to add a splash of gin to give it an extra alcoholic kick. This is then poured into a glass and garnished with a slice of lime.
There are many other spritz cocktails that are also well-suited to summer – if you’ve got some prosecco in the fridge, feel free to experiment with other fruit liqueurs like aperol and grapefruit liqueur. You can also substitute processo with any other sparkling wine or even a white wine if you don’t want it to be bubbly.
Passion fruit martini
When it comes to the most refreshing fruit flavours, passion fruit is certainly up there. It has a tart and almost citrusy taste that goes well with many spirits. A passion fruit martini typically consists of passion fruit juice mixed with vanilla vodka and a splash of lime juice.
These ingredients are mixed in a shaker with ice and then served in a martini glass. A slice of passion fruit is usually used to garnish this drink, but you can always use a slice of lime if you can’t find any passion fruit. Some people also like to add processo to this cocktail to add a slight fizz.
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Pimm’s and lemonade
Pimm’s and lemonade is arguably Britain’s most iconic summer cocktail. It consists of Pimm’s (a gin-based fruit cup) and lemonade. This is often mixed together in a jug. Also mixed into the cocktail are a range of fruit slices. These could be any fruits that you desire – a few popular choices include limes, lemons, strawberries and cucumber, but some people also throw in more exotic fruits like pineapples and mangos.
Finally, the drink is garnished with mint leaves. As mentioned before, this is usually served in a jug and then poured into individual glasses that can be shared among friends. Alternatively, you can have a jug to yourself.
Tom Collins
The Tom Collins gets its name partially from the bartender that created it (whose surname was Collins) and partially from the type of gin traditionally used to create it (Old Tom Gin). Of course, you don’t have to use Old Tom Gin in this cocktail – any gin will do.
This is mixed with homemade lemonade made from lemon juice, soda water and simple syrup. Check out this Tom Collins drink recipe for more information on exact measures. Feeling lazy but still want to give this drink a try? Buy some premade cloudy lemonade.
Strawberry Daiquiri
To make a strawberry daiquiri, you’ll need some frozen strawberries, some rum and some lime juice. You’ll also need some ice. These ingredients are then blended to create a frozen slush, which is poured into a cold glass and garnished with a strawberry. As you can imagine, this is the perfect drink for cooling off on a hot summer’s day.
Not a huge fan of strawberries? There are many other daiquiri recipes that you can try at home including pineapple daiquiri and cherry daiquiri. It’s worth noting that daiquiris also don’t have to be served as a slush and can be served simply chilled or even entirely frozen if you prefer these consistencies.
