With summer just around the corner and restrictions lifting, cocktails are definitely on the menu this year. If you’d rather enjoy the sunshine from the comfort of your own garden than face the crowds and cough up your cash at a bar, however, then why not consider making your own cocktails with our summer cocktails recipes?
Making your own summer cocktails will not only save you money, but it can be a fun activity over which you and your friends can bond. We’ve put together a list of easy summer cocktails that everyone can enjoy, so simply hit the shops, grab your ingredients, and get ready to sip away in the summer sunshine.
1. Tequila sunrise
Originating in sunny California in the 1970s, nothing says retro cool and a taste of the tropical like the tequila sunrise, so called because of its orange and yellow colour scheme. To make a tequila sunrise, you’ll first need to purchase your ingredients: a bottle of your favourite tequila, grenadine, a bottle of triple sec, a large orange, a lemon and ice, plus a cocktail cherry for that extra touch. You’ll also need a cocktail shaker, a strainer and a tall glass.
Start by pouring two teaspoons of grenadine into your tall glass, and then put 50ml of tequila, some ice, one tablespoon of triple sec, and the juice from your orange and half a lemon into your cocktail shaker. Shake well, double strain your cocktail and then add it to the grenadine in your tall glass. Finish off with extra ice and your cocktail cherry on a stick.
2. Passionfruit martini
The passionfruit martini is a sophisticated and sweet cocktail, perfect for summer celebrations, and it can be made extra special with a dash of prosecco if you’re feeling fancy! Ingredients needed to make the passion fruit martini include vanilla vodka, passoa, lime juice, sugar syrup, prosecco, ice, and two ripe passion fruits, and you’ll need some martini glasses if you want them to look the part.
Firstly, add 60ml of vanilla vodka, 30ml of passoa, one tablespoon of lime juice, a handful of ice and one tablespoon of sugar syrup to your cocktail shaker, along with the seeds from your passion fruits. Then simply shake well and strain your cocktail before you pour it into your martini glasses. Finish by adding prosecco and half a passion fruit, and there you have it: easy-to-make top summer cocktails that’ll keep everyone coming back for more!
3. Pina colada
The pina colada is like a holiday in a glass: a classic summer cocktail that’s refreshing, affordable and easy to make, and it originated in Puerto Rico. You can probably find the ingredients for a pina colada in your kitchen cupboards or fridge, though if you can’t, you won’t need to cough up much cash to purchase them from your local supermarket. All you need is pineapple juice, Bacardi or another white rum, coconut cream, ice and some slices of pineapple. If you want to make your cocktails extra fancy, you could also buy some cocktail umbrellas, maraschino cherries or extra pineapple chunks for the side of your glasses.
To make a pina colada, simply place 120ml of pineapple juice, 60ml of white rum, and 60ml of coconut cream to a blender and pulse until smooth. Add your cocktail to a tall glass filled with a handful of ice, and top it off with a wedge of pineapple, a cherry or a cocktail umbrella, or if you’re feeling extravagant, then add all three!
4. Peach punch
While it takes a lot of ingredients to make a peach punch, it only takes 10 minutes to prepare and it can serve a whole party of guests for the entire night! All of your guests are guaranteed to love your signature peach punch, and you might even have a little left over for a solo cocktail in the sun after the party is over.
To make enough peach punch for eight people, you’ll need to first ensure that you have all of the necessary ingredients, which include caster sugar, two lemons for their juice and zest, a bottle of rosé wine, a bottle of peach schnapps, a peach and a lemon, 11 bottles of tonic or soda water, water and some ice. If you’re lucky, you’ll have these ingredients in your pantry, but they’re relatively inexpensive to buy if you don’t!
Firstly, combine 100ml of water with four tablespoons of caster sugar and the zest and juice of one-and-a-half lemons, and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Once this mixture has cooled down, add 750ml of rosé wine, lemon juice and 150ml of peach schnapps, and pour into a large jug. After this, slice ½ a lemon and a peach and add it to your jug, plus lots of ice, and then top it off with your tonic or soda water.
5. Pomegranate mojito mocktail
Despite what some people would have you believe, not all summer cocktails have to be alcoholic! Mocktails can be just as delicious as their alcoholic counterparts, and they’re sure to keep non-drinkers and children happy at any party you might throw. A virgin alternative to the classic mojito, made with mint and lime, the pomegranate mojito mocktail is a fruity drink guaranteed to quench your thirst.
For this recipe, you’ll need a large bottle of lemonade, one litre of pomegranate juice, a large bunch of fresh mint, two limes and three tablespoons of pomegranate seeds. The day before your garden party or summer gathering, pop your pomegranate seeds into an ice cube tray before filling it with water and placing in the freezer. On the day you wish to serve your cocktail, place half of your mint into a big jug along with your sliced limes, and then bash with a rolling pin to release their juices. Follow this by adding your pomegranate juice and lemonade, and your cocktail is made! To serve, pop your pre-prepared ice cubes into your glasses, strain your cocktail into the glasses, and finish with leftover mint and slices of lime.
If whatever reason these beautifully summery concoctions don’t tickle your fancy, check out some of our favourite gin cocktail recipes instead!
