Top 5 summer cocktails

Mojito

Minty and delicious with a touch of tang, the mojito is the ultimate summer cocktail. It’s said that back in the early twentieth century, the rich and famous people of America used to travel to Cuba and the Caribbean just to enjoy this tipple!

Best for: Sunset drinks on a warm summer’s night.

Ingredients:

• 60ml of red rum
• 3 spoons of raw sugar
• 3 lime wedges
• 12 mint leaves
• 10ml of soda

Directions:

1. Put the sugar, limes and mint leaves into a highball glass and use a small rolling pin to crush to a paste. Add the rum and soda before filling the glass with crushed ice.
2. Then smash the ingredients together with a long spoon (the more violently you do this, the better!).
3. To serve, top with more crushed ice and a sprig of mint.

Kiwifruit lychee sparkler

A twist on the classic lychee cocktail, this drink is fruity, thirst-quenching, and bursting with flavour. If you or your guests like simple yet strong drinks, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Best for: Long lunches and BBQs outside in the sun.

Ingredients:

• 1 kiwifruit, peeled and chopped
• 90ml of vodka
• 60ml of lychee syrup
• 120ml of ginger ale

Directions:

1. Combine the kiwifruit, vodka and lychee syrup along with ice in a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake up all the ingredients. Add the ginger ale and strain into two ice-filled glasses.
3. Top with kiwifruit and lychee pieces if you like.

Pina colada

The signature cocktail of the tropical Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, the pina colada is served up in bars and restaurants around the world — and it’s no secret why. Made with pineapple, coconut, and rum, this drink screams “summer”, and a couple of sips will have you dreaming of a seaside escape.

Best for: Afternoons spent by the pool or on the beach.

Ingredients:

• 500ml of pineapple juice
• 125ml of white rum
• 125ml of coconut cream
• 1 tablespoons of finely chopped palm sugar
• 1 cup of crushed ice

Directions:

1. Place the pineapple juice, rum, coconut cream, palm sugar and ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a large jug and serve immediately over crushed ice.

More cocktail ideas

Ladies night recipes
How to throw a fabulous cocktail party
How to make the perfect mojito for summer