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The best summer cocktail recipes for sunny days in the garden
Happy hour is from four to six!
Even though the UK weather can be a bit up and down, it’s still pretty warm out there - and there’s nothing quite like a refreshing cocktail to cool you down.
Whether you're curling up in that little garden reading nook or waiting for the return to crack out that barbecue with your friends, this summer is shaping up to be one to remember. Our calendars are already filling fast with plans and good times.
With the sunshine making its grand return, we’ve rounded up the best summer cocktail recipes for you to enjoy while basking in those golden rays.
From timeless warm-weather favorites like Pimms to refreshing slushies and inventive new concoctions, we’ve got your summer sipping covered.
Cheers!
Perfect Lady
Dr. Squid Gin have created your new fave drink for the summer - enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 50ml Dr. Squid Gin
- 15ml sugar syrup
- 25ml lemon juice
- 15ml egg white
- 20ml Creme De Peche
Method:
- In a cocktail shaker, add the following ingredients: 20ml Creme De Peche, 15ml sugar syrup, 25ml lemon juice and 15ml egg white
- Shake well over ice
- (PRO TIP) Strain the cocktail away into the other side of the shaker and discard the ice. Then shake the cocktail again to emulsify the egg white and create a light fluffy consistency
- Fine strain the cocktail into a CHILLED coupe (Fine straining means pouring g through the cocktail shaker strainer, and a small sieve too)
- Serve with a lemon peel expressed over the glass. To do this, hold the peel skin side down, facing the glass. Squeeze lengthways to express the citrus oils from the skin over the cocktail. Gently rub the skin side of the peel around the rim of the glass, give it a good twist and balance on the rim of the glass to serve
Allora Lemontini
We’re savoring zesty sunshine and crisp, refreshing vibes—like a breezy afternoon on the Amalfi Coast, with a Lemontini in hand made using Allora’s lemon aperitivo.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Allora Aperitivo al Limone
- 25ml vodka
- 10ml fresh lemon juice
Method:
Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass.
Butterfly Spritz-A
It really is the summer of the spritz. This refreshingly fruity and floral rosé spritz from Lady A is ideal for long summer evenings spent chatting away in the garden.
Ingredients
- 25ml Elderflower mint cordial
- 50ml Lady A rosé wine
- Fresh raspberries and strawberries
- Topped with soda water
Flower Moon
Maestro Dobel Tequila have created this cocktail in partnership with iconic Mexican restaurant Ixchel, available until 26th June 26th.
Ingredients
- 35ml Maestro Dobel Silver
- 40ml Rose wine
- 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- 30ml Lime juice
- 20ml Rose syrup
Campari Negroni
We're leaning into bold, bitter bliss and pretending we're on a rooftop in Rome with this timeless Campari Negroni in hand.
Ingredients:
- 30ml Campari
- 30ml Gin
- 30ml Sweet Vermouth
Method: Pour the Campari, gin and sweet vermouth directly into the glass filled with ice. Stir and garnish with a slice of fresh orange.
Simple Spritz with Mediterranean Twist
We're still clutching onto summer and will be keeping the Mediterranean vibes going with this twist on a classic spritz.
Ingredients:
- 30ml Gin Mare
- 25ml Fino Sherry
- 15ml 1:1 Sugar Syrup
- 10ml Lemon Juice
- 75ml Cava
Method:
Mix and serve in a cocktail glass, and garnish with a lemon slice and sprig of thyme.
The Patrón El Cielo Spritz
Tequila and a spritz? We don't need to be asked twice. Try this new cocktail from our go to tequila brand.
Ingredients:
- 30ml Patrón El Cielo
- 60ml chilled Pinot Grigio or Provençale Rose Wine
- 90ml Ginger Ale
Method
In a white wine glass with cubed ice, build all the ingredients. Stir to combine. Garnish with a fresh orange wedge – squeeze and drop into the glass.
Moxxi's Mule
A fiery long drink for your summer BBQs, created to celebrate the upcoming release of Borderlands.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Ballantine's Finest
- 150ml Ginger Beer
- 1/2 squeeze lime juice
Method
Fill a highball glass with ice. Add Ballantine's Finest and your squeezed lime, and top up with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Bloodshot Eye
Or maybe a recipe for Halloween?
Ingredients
- 50ml Ballantine's Finest
- 50ml Cold brew coffee
- 2 Teaspoons sugar
Method
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain and pour into a rocks glass with ice, before garnishing with an orange twist.
Apocalypse Spritz
Like alcoholic orange soda - perfect!
Ingredients
- 50ml Ballantine's Finest
- 200ml Fanta Orange
Method
Pour whisky in glass over ice. Top up with Fanta Orange. Garnish with an orange wedge.
Sgroppino
An icy lemon dessert cocktail created in collaboration between (the) Nigella Lawson and Ocado? Yep we will be making these the second the sun comes out.
Ingredients:
- 100g Remeo Lemon Sorbet
- 25ml chilled vodka (1 shot)
- 25ml chilled prosecco (1 shot)
Method:
1. Get a small 150ml coupe or martini glass and a small wide-ish jug. Scoop the lemon sorbet into the jug.
2. Pour over the vodka, followed by the prosecco. Mix swiftly but gently with a couple of forks, pulling the sorbet apart and into the liquid rather than beating the ingredients together.
3. When you have a lump-free cohesive mixture resembling a cloud of frosty froth, pour into the prepared glass.
4. Raise to your lips and prepare to be transported!
Pimm's Strawberries & Cream
Pimm's, strawberries, cream. Does it get more British summer time than this? No, no it doesn't. Created in partnership with The Ivy, this soon to be classic cocktail is a fun take on the strawberries and cream served at Wimbledon every year, with the added fun addition of Pimm's. Here's how to make it yourself.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Pimm’s No.1
- 25ml Strawberry Puree (Monin)
- 25ml Apple Juice
- 300ml Double Cream
- 5ml White Chocolate Syrup (Monin)
- 15ml White Chocolate Sauce (Monin)
- Dried Strawberry (to garnish)
Method:
To build the drink combine the Pimm’s, strawberry puree, and apple juice in a shaker and add a big handful of ice. Shake hard, then pour over ice into your chosen glass. To make the white chocolate cream whisk the double cream, white chocolate syrup and white chocolate sauce until mixed. And to finish, layer the white chocolate cream over the fruit base and garnish with dried strawberries.
Tanqueray Paradiso Spritz
Tanqueray's new Paradiso gin is perfect for a summer spritz!
Ingredients
- 50 ml Tanqueray Paradiso
- 10ml lemon juice
- 5ml sugar syrup
- 90ml Prosecco
- 40ml soda water
Pour all of your ingredients, minus the Prosecco and soda into a wine glass. Fill the glass with cubed ice then slowly pour over your Prosecco and soda water. Stir quickly to mix everything up, and garnish with a long lemon twist.
Tanqueray Paradiso is on shelves now in Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, and rolls out at Tesco, Amazon and The Bar from 28th May with an RRP of £20.
Wild Turkey Old Fashioned
This bourbon Old Fashioned sings thanks to Wild Turkey's vanilla notes.
Ingredients
- 50ml Wild Turkey® 101 Bourbon
- 10ml simple syrup
- 2 dashes bitters
- An orange peel to garnish
Method
Add Wild Turkey® 101 Bourbon and syrup to a mixing glass with ice. Add two dashes of bitters and stir together. Pour over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with orange peel.
El Mayor Jalapeno Smash
Coriander fans, this one's for you.
Ingredients
- 40ml El Mayor Blanco Tequila
- 20ml Jalapeno Simple Syrup
- 20ml Lime Juice
- 15ml Blood Orange Juice
- Coriander Sprigs
- Lime Wheels
- Jalapenos
- Sparkling Water
- Tajin
Method
In a shaker filled with ice, pour tequila, simple syrup, blood orange juice, and lime juice and shake! Rim glass with tajin. Double strain liquid from shaker into rimmed glass. Top with desired soda water. Garnish with lime wheels, jalapeno slices, and cilantro. Add jalapeno slices in shaker for a spicier cocktail!
Smokehead Islay Heatwave
Whisky ginger beer is always a good combo in our books!
Ingredients
- 50ml Smokehead High Voltage
- Ginger beer
- Lime wheel garnish
- Ice
Method
Pack your highball with ice. Add 50ml of Smokehead High Voltage. Fill your glass with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wheel.
Patrón Picante Paloma
You've heard of a picante, and you've heard of a paloma - but how about combining the two for a spicy and bitter kick?
Ingredients
- 60 ml Patrón Reposado
- 60 ml Grapefruit juice
- 20 ml Lime juice
- 15 ml Ginger juice
- Fresh basil leave
- Top with Fever Tree Ginger Bee
- Twist of grapefruit zest for garnish
Method
Add all ingredients into a glass. Fill the glass with ice. Top with Fever Tree Ginger Beer. Stir well and enjoy!
Pimm's Spritz
Is it summer without a Pimm's in the garden? And we love this spritz twist on the classic.
Ingredients
- 50ml Pimm's No.1
- 2tsp strawberry jam
- 4-5 basil leaves
- Juice of half a lemon
- Soda water
- Strawberries and basil for garnish
Method
Add all the ingredients into a wine glass and mix vigorously. Fill with ice and top with the soda water.
Disaronno Velvet Batida
This sounds like an an alcoholic Bounty bar, in all the right ways.
Ingredients
- 1 part Disaronno Velvet
- t1 part coconut water
- Crushed ice
Method
Combine one part of Disaronno Velvet and one part of coconut water in a cocktail shaker, shaking and pouring over crushed ice in a highball glass. Garnish of either coconut flakes or a coconut slice.
El Mayor Melon Spritz
You know we're always in the market for a tequila cocktail.
Ingredients
- 30ml El Mayor Blanco Tequila
- 30ml Melonade
- 25ml Lemon + Bay leaf sherbet
- 75ml Cava
Method
Build ingredients within a large white wine glass and garnish with a Bay leaf.
Dusty Baxter-Wright is an award-winning journalist and the Entertainment and Lifestyle Director at Cosmopolitan, having previously worked at Sugarscape. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work covering pop culture, careers, interiors and travel, and oversees the site’s Entertainment and Lifestyle strategy across print, digital and video. As a journalist for the best part of a decade, she has interviewed everyone from Louis Theroux and Channing Tatum to Margot Robbie and Ncuti Gatwa, while she has also spoken on Times Radio and BBC Radio. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram here.
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