5 Summer Cocktails You Need in Your Hand Right Now

Is there any better excuse for sitting in the garden with a delicious tipple than the Great British Summer? Whether your other half is glued to the World Cup or you’re settling down to play free bingo games for fun, our 5 favorite cocktails are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Go on, treat yourself…

1. Watermelon Gin Spritzer from Good Food

If you like your cocktails fruity and refreshing, this is the perfect recipe. Cool, sweet watermelon, a touch of tangy lime and that all important ingredient: gin.

• To make: Squeeze two segments of lime into a glass and add the leftover pulp, add a handfull of chopped watermelon, your required dose of gin and top up with cold soda water and ice. Ahh!

2. Rose Sangria Spritz from The Telegraph

Sangria is wonderful stuff. If you’ve enjoyed this tipple on Spanish shores, why not try this pink twist on the classic red wine version in your back garden.

• To make: Mix a bottle of mid-to-dark rose with 75ml of Grand Marnier and 500ml sparkling water. Add one sliced nectarine, a handful of ice and enjoy.

3. Mint Julep from Eben Freeman

 

Is there anything more refreshing that a cool minty cocktail? We don’t think so. If you’re bored on mojitos, why not try a mint julep from across the pond?

• To make: Mix 2 tbsp of sparkling water with 2 heaped tsp of superfine sugar until it starts to dissolve. Then add 15 fresh mint leaves, pressing them against the side of the glass and into the sugar syrup with the back of a spoon. Add 6 tbsp good quality whisky and fill to the brim with crushed ice. Give the whole glass a good stir and drink up!

4. French 75 from Eben Freeman

 

Fresh, sharp, light, fizzy and everso yummy, the French 75 requires a few more ingredients than our other faves but for special occasions, it’s totally worth it.

• To make: Shave lemon peel from lemon in a spiral, keeping it as intact as possible as you go and watching out for those fingers! Mix 3 tbsp gin, 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp simple syrup (water + sugar) and shake well with crushed ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into chilled Champagne flutes and top up each glass with a dry sparkling wine or Champagne. Wrap that carefully shaved lemon peel around your finger to create a spiral, garnish and enjoy!

5. Tequila Lemonade from Chuck Hughes

Bored of margaritas but love the tang of tequila? This recipe combines the nostalgic summery taste of fresh lemonade with a devilish Mexican twist.

• To make: Mix 2 large handfuls of ice and the juice of 8 lemons in a pitcher. Add a healthy splash of simple syrup (sugar+water quickly boiled together) and sweeten to taste. Add around 120ml of tequila, mint springs and some slices of lemon then chill. To serve place ice in glasses and add the tequila lemonade, top up with sparkling water and garnish with lemon and mint.

Do you have a favorite summer cocktail you love to make? Share your recipes and tips with our readers below, or drop us a line (or even a snap of your tasty creation) on Twitter @TwoLittleFleas.