When the sun is shining, there is nothing better than cooling off with a delicious and refreshing summer cocktail. Whether you are relaxing on a sun lounger, enjoying a BBQ in the garden or soaking up the sun in the local’s terrace, a cocktail in hand improves any outdoor setting.
When opportunity strikes and the weather (hopefully) heats up, these cocktail ideas are sure to hit the spot! From cocktail classics to modern twists, our top 10 refreshing summer cocktails are bound to suit all tastes.
1. Frosé
The freshest cocktail trend to burst out of New York this year, Frosé is a delicious summer twist on your traditional glass of wine. Blending rosé wine with strawberries, sugar and vodka, this frozen treat has quickly emerged as the ‘it’ drink of the summer and will soon be blowing up all over your Instagram. Easy to recreate at home, freeze cubes of rosé wine and mix with the other ingredients in a blender for an instant alcoholic slushy that you and your friends will love!
2. Mai Tai
Tiki-love!?? #dineLA #maitai last day of #restaurantweek
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A classic summer cocktail, a fruity Mai Tai will instantly transport you to more exotic settings. Perfect for those who love strong but sweet cocktails, a Mai Tai consists of lots of rum, orange liqueur and tropical juices; this tiki- inspired cocktail will have you heading for the nearest dive bar.
3. Blackberry Gin & Tonic
Blackberry season will soon be reaching its peak, so it’s the perfect time to experiment with this concoction. Gin & Tonic is a traditional drinks choice, but adding blackberries to the mix will effortlessly pimp up the classic and add a tarte twist. If you have the time, you can create your very own blackberry infused gin; for an instant solution, muddle some blackberries in the bottom of your glasses.
4. Strawberry & Lime Mojito
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The classic mojito has firmly held its position as a go-to summer cocktail with its refreshing blend of rum, mint and limes. Adding strawberries to the mix makes this cocktail even sweeter and delivers an extra fruity hit that will prove popular all summer long.
5. Tropical Sangria
Traditional sangria has been a summer drinks stalwart both at home and overseas; mixing red wine, lemonade and chopped fruit creates a fool-proof concoction. If you are feeling experimental, substitute red wine for white and add tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango and limes for a zesty, lightweight and easy-to-drink sangria alternative.
6. Peach & Raspberry Bellini
Peach #bellini – summer time when the living’s easy
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You can’t go wrong with a glass of bubbly in the sunshine; prosecco is both lightweight and refreshing making it ideal to enjoy on a warm summer afternoon. Instantly upgrade your glass of prosecco with a dash of peach juice and raspberry liqueur for a fruity peach melba bellini that can be enjoyed in the afternoon as well as at the brunch table.
7. Elderflower & Apple Fizz
Elderflower cordial lends its fragrant flowery notes to this refreshing fizzy cocktail. Mix the cordial with gin, apple juice and sparkling water/ prosecco for a quirky yet sophisticated drink that stands out from the standard sun terrace fare.
8. Singapore Sling
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Another exotic inspired cocktail that will leave your tastebuds tingling is the Singapore Sling. Potent yet so easy to enjoy, the Singapore Sling perfectly blends the sharp and zingy flavours of cherry liqueur with lemon juice with Cointreau, pineapple juice and grenadine for an exotic taste of the far-east where this cocktail first originated.
9. Alcoholic Pink Lemonade
A childhood favourite, pink lemonade has been given a boozy update that we can all enjoy. A delicious and refreshing choice for summer, mix traditional cloudy lemonade with vodka, sweet strawberry syrup and mixed berries in a pitcher for a sassy cocktail that all the girls will love to share.
10. Pineapple Caipirinha
Get into the Brazilian spirit in time for the Rio Olympics with the help of the country’s national drink – the caipirinha. Wonderfully refreshing, the caipirinha mixes cachaça liqueur with sugar and limes – for an extra tropical twist, we recommend adding pineapple juice for a longer, fruity cocktail.
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