The crocs are out, the factor 50 spread sparingly and the sun continues to tease with our hearts. Summer is upon us so it’s time to embrace it with open arms with Summer cocktail recipes that perfectly capture seasonal British hedgerows. Not only will this make your cocktails right on season, but this means you are also doing your bit to support local farmers and reduce the carbon footprint associated with across the globe transportation. (See our page on sustainable sipping for more tips!) Most importantly you’ll harness fresher and more vibrant flavours by using ingredients in their peak season. So, make haste! punchier cocktails are just a garden hop away!
Elderflower and Rose Margarita
Elderflower, with its delicate floral notes, is best enjoyed in late June and July. Capturing the essence of British summertime with fragrant elderflower and rose, this beautiful and unique margarita variation offers a delightfully floral twist on the classic cocktail.
Ingredients
- 50ml Tequila
- 25ml fresh lime juice
- 15ml Elderflower Liqueur
- 10ml Lanique or Rose Liqueur
- Pinch Salt
- Garnish- Lime wedge
Method
Add all wet ingredients in a shaker and stir to combine. Add ice and shake until the outside of the shaker becomes cold. Strain into a Martini glass or tumbler over ice and garnish with lime wedge.
Lavender French 75
Lavender, a herb often found flourishing in English gardens, adds a touch of summer fragrance to this classic French 75. While lavender can be harvested year-round, its peak season is from June to August, ensuring the most flavourful blooms for your cocktail. Paired with gin and sparkling wine, it creates a light elegant profile, perfect for a celebratory summer cocktail.
Ingredients
- 25ml London Dry Gin
- 20ml lavender liqueur or syrup
- 10ml lemon juice
- Dry sparkling wine, to top
Method
Add the gin, lavender liqueur and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker and stir. Add with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a Champagne flute or coupe glass and top with sparkling wine.
Raspberry and Rosemary Gin Spritz
Rosemary can be harvested year-round in England, but the fresh growth in summer is the most flavourful. The combination of the woody herb and raspberries in this cocktail evokes images of beautiful English gardens.
Ingredients
- 50ml Old Tom Gin
- 100ml sparkling wine
- 4 raspberries plus 2 to garnish
- Garnish: Sprig of rosemary
Method
Muddle 4 raspberries in a champagne flute or coupe until thoroughly crushed. Add the gin and top up with sparkling wine. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and raspberries.
Strawberry Basil Smash
Strawberries are another summer favourite, reaching peak ripeness from June to August, where you can strike that ultimate sweet strawberry hit we know and love. Muddled fresh strawberries meet zesty basil and a kick of citrus in this bright, herbaceous take on a classic smash cocktail. Strained over crushed ice for a delightfully sweet and aromatic summer cooler.
Ingredients
- 50ml bourbon
- 25ml lemon juice
- 2-3 tsp honey, or to taste
- 6 mint leaves
- 6 basil leaves
- 1/3 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- sparkling water, to top
Method
In a shaker, muddle the mint leaves, basil leaves, strawberries, lemon juice, and honey.
Add the bourbon and ice and shake until cold. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with strawberries, mint leaves, and basil leaves as you see fit.
Rhubarb & Rose Gin Smash
Double down on tart, distinctive British flavours with this ruby-hued gin smash. Rhubarb, with its vibrant pink stalks and tart flavour, is a true taste of early summer and is best enjoyed from April to June. Rhubarb and rosehip syrups blend with botanicals from the gin and brightening citrus notes for a refreshingly vibrant cocktail bursting with summer’s bounty.
Ingredients
- 50ml Gin
- 25ml Rhubarb Syrup
- Few drops Rosehip juice
- 2 Strawberries (sliced) or edible rose petals
- 4 mint leaves
- 50 ml cloudy Lemonade
- 25ml Prosecco or Sparkling wine.
Method
Stir gin, rhubarb syrup and still lemonade with a few drops of rosehip juice in a glass. Add a handful of ice, and mint. Add either sliced strawberries or rose petals and top with sparkling wine.
Garden Gimlet
Cool as a cucumber, this refreshingly crisp and hydrating gimlet puts garden-fresh cukes in the spotlight for the perfect sunny day sipper. Garnish with cucumber ribbons for a stunning presentation
Ingredients
- 50ml gin
- 1 tbsp simple syrup (or to taste)
- 1/2 limes cut into quarters
- ¼ cup cucumber cut into one-inch pieces
- 1-2 leaves fresh basil roughly chopped
Method
Muddle limes, cucumber, and basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add gin, simple syrup, and ice and shake to combine. Strain and serve either straight up in a coupe or in a highball over ice. Serve with fresh lime and cucumber ribbons.
Lavender-Blueberry Gin Spritzer
This delightfully floral and fruity spritzer offers a taste of summer in each fizzy sip. Blueberry puree shines alongside subtly sweet lavender syrup, tart lemon juice and botanical gin. Blueberries come into season in July and peak through September so take advantage of Britain’s seasonal stars for a refreshing cocktail bursting with flavour.
Ingredients
- 25 ml gin
- 1 tsp lavender syrup
- 1/2 cup blueberries fresh or frozen
- 1/2 tbsp water
- Small handful fresh mint
- 500ml soda water or tonic water
- 1/2 lemon
Method
To create a blueberry puree; simmer the blueberries and water in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes or until broken down. Mash the mixture or blend in a blender and allow to cool.
Roughly chop the mint and add to blueberry puree along with lavender syrup, gin and a squeeze of lemon juice. Mix well with a spoon. Add ice to each glass and then top with soda water. Stir well to mix in the blueberry mixture at the bottom. Serve with a slice of lemon or lavender sprig.
