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11 refreshingly simple cocktail recipes that you need to try
1. Simple summer lemonade
Few things are as delicious as a cold, slightly tart lemonade on a hot summer's day.
A timeless favourite, this simple cocktail recipe can be enjoyed as a refreshing non-alcoholic classic or used as a versatile base for adding your favourite spirits or flavour infusions.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 340g granulated sugar
- 4 litres water
- 1 litre lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Ice
How to:
- Bring the sugar and water to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Let cool.
- Strain the freshly squeezed lemon juice into the sugar mixture to avoid seeds.
- Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Serve over ice with lemon slices. Add gin or vodka for an alcoholic twist.
2. Bubbly melon drink
Looking for simple cocktail recipes that feel festive but are easy to make? This bubbly melon drink is perfect for summer and can be made with prosecco for a boozy twist, or sparkling water for a refreshing alcohol-free version.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 600ml watermelon juice
- 120ml freshly pressed lime juice
- 600ml prosecco or sparkling water
- Fresh thyme sprigs and cantaloupe melon chunks for garnish
- Ice
How to:
- In a pitcher, mix watermelon juice and lime juice.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice.
- Top with prosecco or sparkling water.
- Garnish each glass with thyme and cantaloupe chunks.
A Swedish summer must try - Prosecco with elderflower juice
3. Prosecco with elderflower
Delicate, floral, and full of fizz – this simple cocktail recipe captures the essence of summer in a glass. Whether you ’re hosting a garden party or just unwinding in the sun, it’s easy to keep it alcohol-free with sparkling water or add prosecco for a celebratory twist.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 600ml prosecco
- 200ml diluted elderflower cordial (1 part cordial to 4 parts water)
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
- Ice
How to:
- Pour elderflower cordial and prosecco into glasses filled with ice.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with mint.
- For a non-alcoholic version, replace prosecco with sparkling water.
4. Blackberry & rosemary G&T
This simple cocktail recipe brings a refined twist to the classic G&T. A few whole blackberries add a pop of colour without clouding the drink, while a sprig of rosemary lends a subtle, aromatic depth. For a non-alcoholic version, just swap in your favourite alcohol-free gin.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 240ml gin (optional)
- 800ml tonic water
- Fresh blackberries and rosemary to garnish
- Ice
How to:
- Add ice to each glass and a few blackberries
- Pour 60ml gin or alcohol free version
- Top with 200ml tonic water
- Stir gently and garnish with extra blackberries
5. Refreshing raspberry & lime spritz
Looking for simple cocktail recipes that strike the perfect balance between sweet and tart? This raspberry and lime drink is a vibrant option for warm-weather gatherings. Serve it sparkling with prosecco and gin or keep it alcohol-free with a splash of lemonade — either way, it’s sure to impress.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 120ml gin (optional)
- 200ml raspberry cordial
- 400ml prosecco or sparkling lemonade
- 80ml freshly pressed lime juice
- Fresh raspberries and limes for garnish
- Ice
Here's how:
- In each glass, combine 30ml raspberry cordial and 20ml lime juice.
- Add 30ml gin if desired.
- Top with 100ml prosecco or sparkling lemonade.
- Add ice and garnish with raspberries and slices of lime.
6. Strawberry & lemon punch
When you want simple cocktail recipes that serve a crowd without fuss, this strawberry and lemon punch is a winner. Refreshingly fruity and easy to customize, it’s delicious served as a light, alcohol-free refresher or spiked with your favourite spirit for a festive kick.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 600ml strawberry juice
- 1 litre flavoured sparkling water
- 2 lemons
- 10 Fresh strawberries, halved
- Fresh lemon balm for garnish
- Optional: 120ml vodka, gin, or rum
- Ice
Here's how:
- In a large pitcher or bowl, combine strawberry juice and sparkling water
- Add lemon slices, strawberries, and ice
- Stir gently
- Add alcohol if desired
- Serve chilled with fresh lemon balm to garnish
7. Simple strawberry and rosé sangria
Sangria is a classic summer favourite, and this simple cocktail recipe gives it a light, modern update with rosé and soda. For a refreshing non-alcoholic twist that still keeps the pretty pink colour, swap the rosé for strawberry cordial. Perfect served over ice in a carafe for easy sharing and sunny gatherings.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 600ml rosé wine (or 150ml strawberry cordial diluted with 450ml soda water)
- 100ml fresh lime juice
- 200g fresh strawberries, sliced
- 60ml simple syrup
- 300ml soda water
- Fresh mint for garnish
- Ice
How to:
- In a large carafe, mix rosé (or diluted cordial), lime juice, and simple syrup
- Add sliced strawberries and ice
- Top with soda water
- Stir gently and garnish with mint
- Serve chilled
8. Grapefruit Bubbles
This simple cocktail recipe is a sparkling celebration of summer’s zesty grapefruit. Whether you prefer it with prosecco for a lively kick or sparkling mineral water for a light, alcohol-free refresher, it’s a drink that’s as elegant as it is easy to make. Finish with a sprig of lavender for that perfect seasonal touch.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- Juice of 4 grapefruits (about 600ml) plus extra grapefruit slices for garnish
- 600ml prosecco or sparkling mineral water
- Fresh lavender sprigs for garnish
- Ice
How to:
- Pour grapefruit juice into wine glasses over ice
- Top each with 150ml prosecco or sparkling mineral water
- Garnish with grapefruit slices and lavender sprigs
- Serve immediately
9. Ginger, lemon & lime cooler
This simple cocktail recipe delivers a lively balance of sweet, sour, and spicy—perfect for hot summer days. Naturally refreshing and vibrant, it’s just as delicious served alcohol-free over crushed ice or with a splash of your favourite spirit for a grown-up twist.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 4cm fresh ginger peeled and roughly chopped
- 600ml sparkling mineral water
- 100ml freshly pressed lime juice
- 100ml freshly pressed lemon juice
- Lemon & lime slices for garnish
- 80ml simple syrup
- Crushed ice
- Optional: 180 ml vodka, gin, or rum
Here's how:
- Muddle ginger with simple syrup and lemon and lime juices in a large pitcher
- Add crushed ice
- Add alcohol if desired
- Top with sparkling mineral water and stir gently
- Serve garnished with slices of lemon and lime
10. A Classic mojito with lime and mint
A mojito is a classic, refreshing simple summer cocktail that blends lime, mint, and rum for the perfect balance of tang, sweetness, and fresh herbal notes. This simple cocktail recipe is just as delicious without alcohol—simply swap the rum for non-alcoholic rum or extra soda water for a tasty mocktail.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 120ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- 40g granulated sugar
- 800ml crushed ice
- A good handful of fresh mint leaves, plus 4 small sprigs for garnish
- 240ml white rum (optional)
- 120ml soda water
How to:
- Divide the lime juice and sugar among four tall glasses (about 300ml each) and stir until the sugar dissolves
- Add a few ice cubes to each glass.
- Rub the mint leaves gently around the rims of the glasses for extra aroma, then tear the leaves into pieces and add to the glasses.
- Stir gently for about 15 seconds.
- Pour 60 ml of white rum (or non-alcoholic alternative) into each glass.
- Top each drink with 30ml of soda water.
- Stir gently again for a few seconds.
- Garnish each drink with a sprig of mint and a wedge of lime.
11. Rhubarb & Rosemary
Rhubarb and rosemary come together in a refreshingly tangy cocktail that’s bursting with summer flavour. The herbal sweetness of homemade rosemary syrup pairs beautifully with tart rhubarb. Enjoy it with white rum — or skip the alcohol for a beautifully balanced mocktail.
Ingredients (for 4 servings)
For the rosemary syrup:
- 240ml water
- 60g sugar
- 25g fresh rosemary leaves (approx. 5–6 sprigs)
- For the rhubarb juice:
- 250g fresh rhubarb, chopped
- 60ml freshly pressed lemon juice (divided)
- 300ml water
- 60g sugar
For the rhubarb juice:
- 250g fresh rhubarb, chopped
- 60ml freshly pressed lemon juice (divided)
- 300ml water
- 60g sugar
To assemble the cocktail:
- 180ml white rum (optional)
- Sparkling water (for the alcohol-free version)
- Rosemary sprigs and rhubarb ribbons, to garnish
How to:
Make the rosemary syrup:
- In a small saucepan, heat 240ml water and 60g sugar over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat, add the rosemary leaves and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain the syrup into a bowl, pressing the rosemary with the back of a spoon to extract the flavour. Let cool.
Make the rhubarb juice:
- Combine chopped rhubarb, 30ml lemon juice, 300ml water and 60g sugar in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing firmly to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the pulp.
- Chill the juice for at least 1 hour.
Assemble the drinks:
- In a pitcher, stir together the rhubarb juice, rosemary syrup, remaining 30ml lemon juice, and the white rum (if using).
- Divide the drink between 4 cocktail glasses and garnish with a rosemary sprig, you can also add ice as needed.
- For a non-alcoholic version, skip the rum and add a splash of sparkling water just before serving.
Trying a new drink is definitely a satisfying and tasty part of the summer. If you would like more tips on things to do this summer, you will find them in our summer bucket list where we have collected 21 fun and exciting tips!
