There’s something magical about summer cocktails: the clink of ice in the glass, the burst of citrus, the hint of something smoky, herbal, or sweet. Whether you’re lounging poolside, throwing a backyard bash, or just vibing solo with a good playlist, these drinks are here to elevate your summer sips.
We’ve rounded up five seriously sip-worthy cocktail recipes, each one unique and refreshingly easy to make. Bonus: They all feature standout cocktail bases that bring the flavour and the fun. Let’s shake things up. You’re very welcome!
Pineapple Mint Smash
Tropical, herbaceous, and perfectly tangy — this cocktail screams summer in the best way possible.
Cocktail Base: Kilinga Bacanora Silver
Ingredients
- 2 oz Kilinga Bacanora Silver
- 3 chunks of fresh pineapple
- 2–3 sprigs fresh mint
- ¾ oz agave nectar
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
How to Make It:
Muddle the pineapple and mint in a shaker. Add the remaining ingredients and ice, then shake it, like you mean it. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and pineapple wedge, and pretend you’re on vacation.
Ancient Greek Aperitif
Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with this refreshing, slightly herbal aperitif — it’s like sunshine in a glass.
Cocktail Base: Kleos Mastiha Spirit
View Original Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz Kleos Mastiha Spirit
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ¾ oz honey syrup (2:1 honey to water)
- Splash of soda water
How to Make It:
Shake the Kleos, lemon juice, and honey syrup with ice. Strain into your favourite coupe or rocks glass. Top with a little soda water and finish it off with a twist of lemon. Opa!
Mezcal Negroni
A smoky, sultry twist on the classic Negroni — this one’s for slow sunsets and serious cocktail lovers.
Cocktail Base: Zomoz Mezcal
Ingredients
- 1 oz Zomoz Mezcal
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Garnish: orange peel
How to Make It:
Add all three ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until perfectly chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express that orange peel, drop it in, and sip slowly.
Grapefruit Cooler
Bright, bubbly, and citrusy with a hint of spice, this vodka cooler is practically made for lounging with friends.
Cocktail Base: Broken Shed Vodka
Ingredients
- 1 oz Broken Shed Vodka
- 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 1 oz cinnamon apple-infused simple syrup
- 1 dash grapefruit bitters
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 3 oz club soda
- Garnish: 1 grapefruit wedge
Cinnamon Apple Infused Simple Syrup
- 2 cups water
- 2 whole apples
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 ½ cups sugar
Bring apples, cinnamon, and water to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain, return to a boil with the sugar, and stir until dissolved. Cool and refrigerate; it keeps for up to two weeks.
How to Make It:
Shake everything (except the club soda) with 3 ice cubes, then double-strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a juicy wedge of grapefruit.
QuintEssential Old Fashioned
Simple, classic, and endlessly satisfying, this is the old-fashioned done right, with a top-tier bourbon at the helm.
Cocktail Base: Cedar Ridge QuintEssential Bottle No. 5
Ingredients
- 2 oz Cedar Ridge QuintEssential Bottle No. 5 Bourbon
- 1 sugar cube (or ½ tsp simple syrup)
- 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 tsp water (if using sugar cube)
- Ice (large cube = cool points)
- Orange peel
- Optional: Luxardo cherry
How to Make It:
Muddle the sugar cube and bitters with a splash of water. Add the bourbon and ice, stir gently for 20 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over one large cube. Express that orange peel over the top and garnish with a cherry if you’re feeling extra.
Grab your shaker, press play on your favourite playlist, and get mixing; summer won’t wait.
Images: Pinterest and Brands Respectively
