Summer Cocktails to Shake Up Your Pre-Drinks
Summer is FINALLY (almost) here, and with it come long nights that are perfect for going out. So why not celebrate the season of sun, sand, and sea by adding a splash of summer to your pre-drinks? This selection of cocktails is sure to put you in a summery mood while being cheap and simple to make.
Before getting started, you’ll need to have a small measuring cup and a cocktail shaker. Thankfully, these are easily accessible online, and you can get a small kit for as little as £10! Now, without further ado, here are some super low-cost and straightforward cocktails to shake up your pre-drinks.
Floridora
Ingredients:
- 15ml Simple Syrup
- 22.5ml Lime Juice
- 60ml Gin
- 4 Raspberries
Inspired by Florida, this is a refreshing cocktail of raspberry and lime. You can find Simple Syrup online for under £10, and the rest can be found in your local supermarket or corner shop. If you can’t find lime juice, simply use juice from half a lime. To make a Floridora, just mash the raspberries in with the syrup, lime juice and gin, gently shake the ingredients together and pour over ice. Delicious!
Ajax Punch
Ingredients:
- 7.5ml Simple Syrup
- 22.5ml Lime Juice
- 45ml White Rum
- Prosecco
- Watermelon (Cubed)
- Cucumber Slices (Halved)
Ajax Punch is a summer hit among cocktail fans. Its combination of watermelon, cucumber, and sparkling wine makes it the perfect refresher on a warm day. And, containing two types of alcohol, it’s a delicious way to start a night out. The trick to making Ajax Punch is to put the watermelon cubes and sliced cucumber at the bottom of the glass, beneath the ice. Then, in your cocktail mixer, blend the syrup, white rum, lime juice and pour the mixture into the glass. Top it off with some prosecco, and voila, you have a glass of Ajax Punch!
Blue Hawaii
Ingredients:
- 25ml Blue Curacao
- 50ml White Rum
- 250ml Pineapple Juice
- 15ml Coconut Milk
- 15ml Lime Juice
A summer pre-drinks sesh wouldn’t be complete without a Blue Hawaii cocktail. You’ll be wowed by the sapphire blue colour of this drink and even more pleased by its tropical taste! Blue Curacao can be purchased online for as little as £6. And the rest of the ingredients can be found in almost every store. To make this drink, just shake the ingredients together in your mixture and pour over ice. For that added wow factor, try garnishing the glass with a slice of pineapple.
Strawberry Daiquiri
Ingredients:
- 15ml Simple Syrup
- 60ml White Rum
- 15ml Triple Sec
- 22.5ml Lime Juice
- 4 Strawberries (Halved)
While Strawberry Daiquiri is typically served frozen, it can be pretty tasty either way. And because the sweetness of the strawberries hides the flavour of the alcohol well, this drink is an excellent way to start the night. To make it, just blend or mash the strawberries and combine them with the other ingredients in your cocktail shaker and serve over ice.
Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients:
- 250ml Orange Juice
- 22.5ml Grenadine
- 45ml Silver Tequila
- 15ml Triple Sec (optional)
Probably the most straightforward drink on this list, the Tequila Sunrise is another crowd-pleaser. Firstly, pour the grenadine into your glass and set it aside. Then, combine the orange juice, tequila, and triple sec (if you’re using it) in your mixer, along with some ice. Finally, slowly pour the mixture down the side of your glass, careful to not disturb the grenadine.
And there you have it, some simple and low-cost summer cocktails to add a splash of happiness to your pre-drinks, enjoy!
By Skylar Grace
