Nothing beats sitting in the sun and enjoying a delicious, refreshing drink while you put your feet up and relax. But with so much choice, how do you decide which will be the drink of your summer?
Cocktails are for all year round, not just the sunshine! But there are a few that just hit the spot when the sun is beaming down and you haven’t a care in the world.
Mojito
Starting off strong, we have the mojito! Refreshing, minty and delicious, this is sure to have you reminiscing the days spent at the poolside.
To make a mojito, muddle mint and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Be sure you don’t over-muddle, though, as this can cause unwanted bitterness. Add a splash of rum, lime juice and shake with ice until very cold.
To serve, strain into a tall ice-filled glass, top with soda and garnish. Voila! A refreshing mojito to quench your thirst!
Daiquiri
The daiquiri is a classic, deliciously simple and perfect every time. It’s hard to go wrong.
Simply add rum, lime juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice and shake, shake, shake.
Strain into a coupe glass and garnish as desired.
You can add a little extra to your daiquiri by using a flavoured syrup or even blend with ice to create a delicious frozen beverage.
Aperol Spritz
The gorgeous, rich colour of an Aperol spritz makes it photograph-worthy every time, but it tastes just as good as it looks.
To make the perfect Aperol spritz, fill a large wine glass with ice, add prosecco, Aperol and a dash of soda. Stir then garnish with a slice of orange and enjoy this beautiful beverage, while basking in the sunshine.
You can add a twist to the spritz by substituting prosecco for a sparkling rose or even add a hint of fruity flavour by adding in fruit syrups to sweeten the deal.
Sangria
Sun means sangria! It’s the perfect drink for summertime and is dangerously easy to drink. Sangria is fruity, rich and sweet and will leave your lips stained red as it marks its territory as your favourite summer tipple.
Add your fruit to a large serving jug or pitcher… apples and oranges are a great choice. Then muddle with brown sugar until the juices are released. Add orange juice and brandy and muddle again to combine. Finish by adding your red wine of choice and stir, adding ice to chill.
Margarita
Another classic, for good reason, is the margarita. With only a few ingredients you can make this strong, salty concoction.
Rim your glass with salt to start, then fill a shaker with ice. Add triple sec, agave, lime juice and tequila and shake until chilled. Pour into your salted glass and enjoy.
With a few simple cocktail recipes on your resume and a great summer playlist, you’re sure to have the best time enjoying the heat and treating your friends to some tasty summertime tipples. Practice makes perfect, so try them all!
Need to brush up on your mixology skills? Try an online cocktail masterclass with The Art Of Shaking.
