3 easy homemade summer cocktails

We’ve got our fingers crossed for another scorching bank holiday weekend at the end of the month. If you’re planning on having a few friends round, why not impress them with one of these three easy cocktail recipes (or all three, we won’t judge!).

French 75

Want to try something more impressive than a Gin and Tonic? This easy champagne cocktail has an elegant wow-factor – perfect for a summer-evening aperitif.

Add a few ice cubes, a large measure of gin and a ¼ measure of sugar syrup* to a cocktail-shaker or jug. Squeeze in the juice from a quarter of lemon. Shake. Strain into a chilled champagne glass. To make this cocktail even prettier, pare a small amount of lemon rind and twist it to release the lovely citrusy oils and garnish the glass.

* You can either buy this, or easily make your own by mixing 50:50 sugar and water.

Blackberry & Elderflower Pimms and Lemonade

This new summer edition Pimms is fruitier than its traditional No.1 Cup cousin, and is vodka-based (similar to the No.6 cup). Technically this recipe isn’t a cocktail as it only has two ingredients – which seems as good an excuse as any to add a splash of Prosecco (and who can resist a bit of sparkle!). Perfect with barbeques and picnics.

Cut up a variety of fruits and berries (oranges, lemons, strawberries and blueberries are ideal), cucumber and mint – add these to a jug with ice. Into the jug pour 1 part Pimms, to 3 parts lemonade. Ideally you want to make this cocktail at least half an hour before drinking, so the fruits and mint have time to diffuse into the Pimms. Add a splash of Prosecco just before pouring if you fancy it.

Moscow Mule

This refreshing cocktail has a similar sweet-sharp contrast to a Mojito, but it’s quicker and easier to make – perfect for long, lazy sunny afternoons.

Add a few ice cubes to a tall glass. Squeeze in the juice from two lime quarters, and then drop in the squeezed quarters. Pour a generous shot of vodka over the ice and limes. Top up with ginger beer (ginger ale works well too if you aren’t a fan of the fieriness of ginger beer). Enjoy!

They we have it, let us know your perfect cocktails, or perhaps even your drunken cocktail antics on one of these??