Beautiful Summer Drinks for Sharing

Warming weather and all the endless BBQs call for delicious cocktails to be shared in a good company! Below you can find beautifully pink cocktails, refreshing coolers and a brunch drink of your dreams – a little something to cover different tastes and spirits. Just adjust these summer drinks to your party size. I have used ready-made syrups in some, but many can easily be made at home.

Rosé Punch – For the sweeter palate, made to share

1 bottle of rosé wine (I prefer drier as the elderflower syrup is fairly sweet)
50ml Dash of elderflower cordial (or liqueur, adjust to taste)
50ml Fresh lemon juice
Soda water
Slices of lemon
Strawberries
Raspberries
Blueberries
Mint
Ice

In a jug slightly muddle a few berries together with the lemon juice and elderflower syrup. Pour over the wine, add more berries and mint (don’t forget to give it a little clap to release the flavour) and give it a good stir. Finally, add ice and soda to taste. If you don’t like it too sweet, make sure to add a bit more lemon and soda to control the sweetness. Your choice of rosé will also contribute to the dryness or sweetness of the final punch. Don’t be afraid to play around with the ingredients.

Tip: If you like it a bit stronger, add a spirit. For example, Brentingby Hibiscus Gin, Arbikie Kirsty’s Gin, Pinkster Gin, Malfy con Limone or good quality vodka would work nicely with this.

Pink Tequila Fizz – The party starter

40ml Tequila Blanco
25ml Cointreau
20ml MONIN Hibiscus syrup
Fresh lime juice
Prosecco
Pink Salt
Ice

Add a pink salt rim to a Champagne flute. Combine all ingredients except Prosecco, and shake with ice. Strain into the flute and slowly top up with Prosecco to avoid the drink foaming over the salt rim. Adjust the hibiscus syrup to taste if you like it sweeter. No garnish necessary.

Thai Cooler – Bringing you those holiday flavours

50ml Moskovskaya Horseradish & Honey
20ml Fresh lime juice
20ml MONIN Lemongrass syrup
Green chillies, chopped
Basil
Soda water
Ice

Combine all but the soda in a cocktail shaker, including a few basil leaves and slices of green chilli. Shake well with ice and strain. Top up with soda water and garnish with extra basil, chillies and a lime wheel.

Tip: If you can’t find Moskovskaya you can use plain vodka and just add a touch of horseradish and a squeeze of honey and shake together with the rest of the ingredients.

If you can’t find the syrup you can make your own. Stir sugar, chopped lemongrass and water in a pot until the sugar has dissolved and the water reaches boiling point. Turn off the heat, cover the mix with a lid and leave to rest for an hour. Strain and store in the fridge.

Watermelon Punch – Juicy and fresh

200ml Tequila Blanco
1 bottle of Prosecco
Fresh watermelon juice
Sugar syrup
Fresh lime juice
Soda water
Watermelon cubes
Mint
Lime wheels
Ice

Combine all ingredients into a large jug or a punch bowl. Adjust the measurements to taste.

Tip: I recommend mixing all but ice and prosecco first to let the fruit and mint time to release more flavour. Once your guests arrive add ice and fizz.

Ginger & Lime Cooler – Can’t get more refreshing than this

50ml Moskovskaya Ginger & Lime
20ml Limoncello
15ml Fresh lime juice
Mint
Soda water
Ice

Combine Moskovskaya Ginger & Lime, Limoncello and fresh lime juice over ice. Bruise the mint slightly to release flavours and add to the glass. Top up with soda water and give it a stir. Garnish with more mint and lime.

Tip: Again, if you can’t get your hands on Moskovskaya you can use plain vodka. Make ginger syrup by using white sugar, water and fresh ginger. Stir them in a pot until the sugar has dissolved and the water reaches boiling point. Turn off the heat, cover the mix with a lid and leave to rest for an hour. Strain and store in the fridge.

Cherry Sour – For the whisky drinker

50ml Bourbon
5 Cherries
15ml Lemon juice
15ml Sugar syrup
Egg white
Ice

Remove the stones from the cherries. Muddle them together with the bourbon in the bottom of the shaker. Add lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white (break the egg separately to avoid ruining the mix). Dry shake, add ice and shake again. Strain over ice and garnish with a cherry.

Lemonade Margarita – Perfect summer cooler*

45m Tequila Blanco
15ml Limoncello
15ml Cointreau
15ml Fresh lemon juice
All-natural lemonade (I love Llanllyr Source Lemonade)
Ice

Shake all but the lemonade, strain over ice and top up with your chosen lemonade.

Tip: Why not make a larger batch in a jug for an easy summer sharer?

*This is based on a recipe found on Margarita Mum’s website.

Loving Margarita cocktails? Check my previous post Margarita 5 Ways for more!

Spiked Bucks Fizz – Need a fix-me-up?

25ml Citrus Gin (Salcombe or Malfy con Limone for example)
Dash of elderflower cordial (or liqueur)
Freshly squeezed OJ
Prosecco
Mint
Ice

Combine all ingredients into a Champagne flute, stir and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Tip: Sharing with others? Mix everything in a jug, including the Prosecco. Pour away!

ENJOY!

Do you have a favourite summer cocktail? Do you ever make cocktails in batches?

Disclaimer: I have previously worked with Moskovskaya Vodka and MONIN and they have provided me with selection of bottles, but this post is not sponsored by them.