Summer is the season for barbecues and cocktails. It’s the perfect time of year to entertain guests and make the most of the warm weather. If you really want to impress your guests, you should try these refreshing summer cocktail ideas!

Bubbly Sangria

  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Zest from half a lemon
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 750ml dry sparkling wine (chilled)
  • 3 cups ice (cubes)
  • 1 cup frozen sweet cherries (frozen)
  • 1 ½ cups each of frozen sliced raspberries and strawberries

Combine the lemon juice, zest, mint and water in a large pitcher. Stir all of these ingredients together to bruise the mint slightly. A wooden spoon works best when making this summer cocktail. Allow the mixture to rest for 15 minutes before you add ice and sparkling wine. Add the frozen fruit just before you serve.

Grapefruit Garner

  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz soda water
  • 3 oz pink grapefruit juice

Add ice and all of the ingredients to a tall glass. Stir well and garnish with a slice of cucumber before serving this delicious and refreshing summer cocktail.

Watermelon and mint spritz (non-alcoholic)

  • 6 cups watermelon cubes
  • ½ cup simple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice
  • 4 or 5 mint leaves and extra for garnish
  • Sparkling water for serving (chilled)

Place 5 – 6 cubes of watermelon in a blender with the lime juice and puree until smooth. Pour into a measuring cup. In the blender, combine the mint and simple syrup. Place some ice in each glass and fill halfway with the watermelon juice before adding some of the minty mixture. Top your summer cocktail up with some sparkling water and use skewers to hold the garnish in each glass. Watermelon cubes and mint leaves make a beautiful garnish for this drink.

These are a few fantastic summer cocktail recipes that you can serve to your guests or enjoy with your family. They are refreshing and light and the watermelon cocktail is perfect for children too since they might feel left out.