Last Updated on June 25, 2021 by Fiona Maclean
Classic Summer Cocktail Recipes that are ready in minutes.
At this time of year, there’s nothing nicer than sipping a cocktail al-fresco. These classic summer cocktails are quick and easy to make and generally use ingredients you’ll already have in your fruit bowl, fridge or drinks cabinet. Most of them are lighter and lower in alcohol than the kind of cocktail you’d drink curled up in front of the fire in winter. Citrus flavours abound, you’ll find plenty of summer cocktail recipes based on lemon or lime, like this classic daiquiri. You may find fresh herbs – a minty mojito or a classic Pimm’s for example. And a lot of summer cocktails are topped up with sparkling water, tonic or prosecco for a lighter cooling drink. It’s the fruit and herbs that help to make the most refreshing classic summer cocktails – together with ice or chilled ingredients.
Looking for inspiration? Here’s a round-up of some of our favourite recipes. To make them, you’ll need a selection of cocktail glasses, a cocktail shaker and plenty of ice. Then, it’s up to you to pick your favourite.
A collection of our favourite summer classic cocktails - easy to make at home, refreshing and perfect for warm summer evenings
Classic Pimm's and Pimm's Spritz Cocktail
A classic Pimm's is the perfect British summer cocktail. Full of seasonal fruit, fresh with mint, cucumber and borage and topped up with ice and lemonade to make a delicious long drink that's low in alcohol.
Daiquiri - a classic white rum cocktail.
Looking for a short summer cocktail? This classic white rum Daiquiri is beautifully refreshing thanks to plenty of lime juice. Just three ingredients make this one of the easiest summer cocktails to put together
White Lady Cocktail with an Orange Twist
Prefer a gin-based cocktail? Try a white lady - the light frothy top comes from shaking gin and egg white over ice before serving.
St-Germain Spritz
While St-Germain elderflower liqueur is a relatively new drink, there's nothing quite like a St-Germain Spritz in summer to refresh.
Elderflower Gimlet
Using St-Germain in a Gimlet adds an early summer dimension to this simple gin-based cocktail with lime juice. Find out more
Pink Gin Spritz with Gordon's
Looking for an English summer in a glass? Try this refreshingly simple Pink Gin Spritz with Gordon's strawberry-infused pink gin. Read on to find out how to do it.
For a fruity twist try this Raspberry Gimlet
A gimlet is a simple cocktail made with gin and lime juice. Add raspberries for a uniquely summery fruity drink.
The Perfect Negroni
A heady combination of bitters, gin and vermouth served over ice. The Negroni may well now be a traditional cocktail but there is a reason why it is a classic.
My Fair Lady Pink Gin Cocktail
All the flavours of summer in this refreshing gin based cocktail with blood orange juice, raspberries and grenadine
Not French but Italian 75 recipe
Take an Italian lemon gin and add prosecco and Amalfi lemon juice for a French 75 Italian style. Another simple and yet truly refreshing cocktail you can make easily at home.
White Port Cocktail - Port and Tonic
The classic summer cocktail of Portugal - Port and Tonic is just that - a simple drink of equal measures of port with a good quality tonic served with a twist of lemon or orange.
I love a good cocktail night, my fave has to be a mojito though.
Some good ideas for Summer evenings in the garden with a glass of something special
These look amazing for the lovely weather we are having at the moment. Will be giving them a go!
Love the sound of some of these
Some lockdown inspiration, gonna add a bottle of gin to this weeks shopping list!
Will have plenty of time this summer to work my way ( and perfect ) each cocktail – summer cocktail love
Going through this list glass by glass is definitely the way to spend my summer!
Sounds like a good idea to me!