Summer Cocktail Recipes For Your Garden Party

Hosting a garden party with a close-knit group of friends is a wonderful way to make the most of the pleasant summer weather. Along with good food and excellent company, a steady supply of cool, refreshing drinks is an essential component of any summer social gathering. Whether you’re an experienced cocktail maker or keen to experiment with liquors, mixers, syrups and garnishes, here are some perfect summer cocktail recipes for your upcoming garden party, guaranteed to impress your guests.

Fruit Punch

The beauty of fruit punch is that you can tailor the recipe to your preferences. Provided it consists of fresh fruit juice, club soda and a relatively neutral-tasting spirit, such as vodka, you can add just about anything you wish. For instance, if you enjoy sweeter beverages, you could add a healthy glug of simple syrup to balance out the tart, citrus flavours. Garnish your fruit punch with thick lemon wedges, orange slices, Maraschino cherries and plenty of ice. You could even make virgin fruit punch for non-drinkers and designated drivers.

Piña Colada

There are few drinks more quintessentially summery than a tall, frosty piña colada. You may live nowhere near the coast, but a round of piña coladas will instantly transport your guests to a tranquil beach at sunset. A delicious blend of rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice, the trick to a perfect piña colada is getting the balance of ingredients just right. Generally speaking, 120ml pineapple juice, 60ml white rum and 60ml coconut cream blended with a handful of ice until smooth is a failsafe recipe.

Classic Mojito

A classic mojito is another classic summer cocktail that everybody enjoys. The combination of white rum, lime juice, mint, and ice-cold soda water makes for the ultimate refreshing summer treat. You could even push the boat out and do something a little different by making mojito variants. For example, you could add crushed berries or substitute plain soda water for a flavoured alternative. Whatever you do, make sure you garnish your mojitos with plenty of ice and freshly picked mint leaves.

Margarita

Classic margaritas may not be to everybody’s taste, but those who partake will love being welcomed into your home with their favourite blend of tequila and triple sec. While anyone can buy a bottle of tequila and some margarita mix, you can be the host with the most by serving your margaritas in chilled glasses with salted rims and fresh wedges of lime. Although, you could always make your margaritas extra special by using smoked salt or adding fruit puree for a fun take on this classic cocktail.

White Wine Spritzer

While some cocktail purists wouldn’t consider a white wine spritzer a classic cocktail, they certainly go down a treat during garden parties. The secret to a perfectly refreshing white wine spritzer is the quality of your wine. Opt for a medium-bodied dry variety like

Watermelon Martini

Is there a more refreshing fruit than watermelon? Unlikely. As the name suggests, 92% of watermelon consists of water, making this nutritious fruit excellent for cooling summer recipes. A watermelon martini is a fantastic twist on a classic cocktail, ideal for cooling off on hot days. Simply add chunks of watermelon to a blender and blend until liquified. Add your watermelon juice to a cocktail shaker with vodka, triple sec (or preferred alternative), lime juice and simple syrup to taste. Once shaken to perfection, serve your concoction in a chilled martini glass with a wedge of fresh watermelon.

Frosé

What is frosé? Frozen rosé, of course! Another excellent option for wine lovers, frosé, is the combination of frozen rosé blended with fresh strawberries and lemon juice, sweetened with a splash of simple syrup for a delightfully pink drink, perfect for sipping in the sun. Due to the alcohol content, rosé will not solidify entirely; instead, it will result in a partially frozen consistency reminiscent of childhood slushies. Serve your frosés with more strawberries, fresh mint leaves and thick drinking straws. 

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