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Summer is here, bringing with it a grand stretch in the evenings, sun-drenched days (hopefully) and warm, starry nights. What better way to celebrate the summer season than with a refreshing cocktail in hand?
Whether you’re lounging in the sun, hosting a barbecue, or simply unwinding after a hot day of work, the right cocktail can boost your summer experience. Here at Bradleys, we have been busy mixing and testing easy-to-make summer cocktails that you can whip up at home.
From classic concoctions to the latest trending mixes, these recipes are designed to keep you cool and refreshed. So grab your shaker, stock up on your favourite ingredients, and get ready to sip into summer with these delicious drinks!
1) Frozen Aperol Spritz
Frozen Aperol Spritz’ is about to become THE drink of Summer 2024! Better still, it’s simple to make and a real crowd pleaser. If you love the refreshing fruity flavours of a classic Aperol Spritz then the frozen version is for you.
Ingredients (serves 1)
How to Make a Frozen Aperol Spritz
Making a Frozen Aperol Spritz is as simple as blending all the ingredients and pouring them into a chilled wine glass. For an extra flourish, garnish with an orange slice.
2) Three Ingredient Bay Breeze Cocktail
Technically the Bay Breeze cocktail aka the Hawaiian Bay Breeze is a classic but 2024 is experiencing a Bay Breeze renaissance.
Ingredients (serves 1)
How To Make A Bay Breeze (two ways)
Like James Bond’s favourite tipple, a Bay Breeze can be shaken or stirred. For a clear long drink to cool down in the sun, pour the ingredients over ice and stir.
For a frothy, fruity, Bay Breeze add the 3 ingredients into a cocktail mixer and shake until combined. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with something tropical.
3) Summer Party Punch
Ideal for a BBQ or garden party with friends, Summer Party Punch is a cocktail that your guests can serve themselves. Take some of the hosting pressure off your shoulders by preparing your punch before your guests arrive. Nothing encourages a casual, social atmosphere like a fruity bowl of punch.
Ingredients (makes 1 large bowl)
How To Make Summer Punch
The first trick with Summer Punch is to make sure that it is properly stirred to avoid the juice sinking to the bottom. The second trick is decoration–punch isn’t just a thirst quenching and delicious cocktail, it’s a centrepiece for your party.
At Bradleys, we like to chill all our punch ingredients before adding them to the mixing bowl. The perfect time to prepare your Summer punch is 10 minutes before your guests are due.
Start with the spirits, and pour them into a large decorative bowl or drinks dispenser. Follow these with all of the juice and then the sliced orange. To make the punch more decorative, add a mix of colourful fruits. Once everything is in, use a large spoon to combine the juice and spirits. Give your summer punch a sunset feel by pouring a touch of grenadine at the last minute.
4) Mint Julep
Another classic making a comeback for the Summer of 2024 is the Mint Julep. A popular cocktail for those who prefer their summer cocktails with a little edge and no fruit. Originating in America’s ‘Deep South’, the Mint Julep celebrates the sweetness of bourbon without the mask of mixers.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
How To Make A Mint Julep
Mint Julep making starts with the mint leaves. Take a few of your fresh mint leaves and muddle them (gently crush) with the sugar syrup in the bottom of a glass. Pour in the bourbon and add crushed ice. Stir the ingredients and finish with more crushed ice and a sprig of mint. For extra flavour points, frost the glass before use and adjust the sweetness by adding more syrup.
5) The Batanga
Batanga is the ultimate go-to for fans of tequila, lime or both. Often misunderstood as a being only for shots, Tequila is the base spirit for some of the most delicious summer cocktails. The most famous and certainly most popular is Batanga or as we like to call it The Batanga!
Ingredients (Serves 1)
How To Make The Batanga Cocktail
Start by slating a medium-sized cocktail glass. To do this, take a lime wedge and a small saucer with salt on it. Run the lime wedge around the rim of your glass and then turn upside down into the salt. Turn gently to help the salt stick to the lime juice on the glass.
Next, add a pinch of salt and the lime juice to the bottom of a glass and mix together. Add some ice cubes before pouring in the tequila and cola. Stir before relaxing with your ice cold Bantanga.
1) Pimm’s
Is it really summer without a Pimm’s? We don’t think so. The ultimate classic summer cocktail, Pimm’s works for all sunny occasions. Picnics, BBQs, casual drinks with friends, Pimm’s suits them all.
Ingredients (makes 1 jug)
How to make Pimm’s
Add the ice cubes to the jug first then pour the Pimm’s and lemonade slowly over it to chill the fluids. Add the fruit slices and mint and mix gently.
2) Negroni
A sophisticated summer cocktail for gin lovers, the Negroni is rumoured to have originated in Florence, Italy more than a century ago. Originally the summer cocktail was a refreshing blend of vermouth, Campari and soda water. It was a request from Count Negroni that saw gin added instead of soda water and resulted in the drink taking on his moniker.
Ingredients (serves 1)
How to make a Negroni
Combine the ice, gin, vermouth, and Campari in the cup of your cocktail shaker. Stir thoroughly until the exterior of the shaker feels cold. Next, strain the mixture into a tumbler, then add fresh ice. Garnish with a slice of orange.
3) Frozen Margarita
Beat the heat this summer with a classic frozen margarita. This refreshing cocktail blends the zesty flavours of lime and tequila with a frosty texture that’s perfect for cooling down on a hot day. Let’s dive into the recipe and get blending.
Ingredients (serves 1)
How to make a Frozen Margarita
Frozen Margaritas are one of the easiest, yet fanciest looking, cocktails you can make at home. Simply add all the ingredients – except the wedge of lime into a blender. Add a handful of ice cubes. Close tightly and blend until the mixture has a smooth consistency. Pour into your favourite cocktail glass and add the lime wedge to the glass edge for garnish.
4) Classic Mojito
There’s nothing quite like a mojito to capture the essence of summer in a glass. With its invigorating blend of fresh mint, tangy lime, and a touch of sweetness, this classic Cuban cocktail is perfect for any warm-weather occasion. Whether you’re hosting a garden party or simply relaxing on the porch, a mojito provides a refreshing escape from the heat. Let’s explore how to craft this timeless drink to perfection!
Ingredients (serves 1)
How to make a classic Mojito
To make a classic mojito, start by muddling 10 fresh mint leaves and a lime wedge in a sturdy glass to release the mint oils and lime juice. Add three more lime wedges and 2 tablespoons of white sugar, then muddle again to extract more juice. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice, pour in the white rum, and top up with soda water. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, and enjoy your refreshing mojito.
5) Espresso Martini
The espresso martini is the perfect blend of sophistication and vigour, combining the rich flavours of freshly brewed espresso with the smoothness of vodka. This modern classic is ideal for coffee lovers looking to add a touch of elegance to their evening. Whether you’re winding down after dinner or gearing up for a night out, an espresso martini offers the perfect summer pick-me-up.
Ingredients (serves 1)
How to make an espresso martini
To make an espresso martini, start by combining the freshly brewed espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until the mixture is well-chilled and frothy. Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with the coffee beans for an elegant touch. Enjoy this rich and invigorating drink as the perfect way to end a meal or kickstart an evening out.
Get everything you need for your home cocktail corner from our Cocktail Corner.
Get everything you need for your Summer celebrations on our website www.bradleysofflicence.ie. Bradley’s Off Licence is a specialist off licence and food store that has proudly served the people of Cork City since 1850.
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