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7 of the best drinks for the summer

July 8, 2016 09:05 by author

Now that summer is officially here (although you may be forgiven for not knowing given the shoddy weather), it’s time to dust off those garden chairs, drag out the swimming pools and relax with a drink in hand.

If course this very much depends on the sun coming out to play, but in the hope it does, here’s a few drinks for you to enjoy – add alcohol if you wish.

1. Jalapeno and lime spritzer

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While you might not immediately associate jalapenos with a drink, adding them can give your concoction a delicious spicy kick.

Add lime and soda together and serve with ice for a non-alcoholic version. Alternatively, opt for rum or gin to get the best results if you’re feeling a little adventurous.

2. Watermelon cooler

Davita

Watermelon, a little cucumber and a lot of ice never tasted so good. Blend together, with as much ice as required depending on how slushy you like it.

If you want an alcoholic version, it’s best to opt for vodka or white rum (but not too much, obviously).

3. Mango and raspberry punch

Grab some mango smoothie juice and lemonade, as well as a mango and raspberries for this fantastic mix.

You can always freeze some of the mix for some fruity flavoured ice cubes too.

4. Strawberry Daiquiri

chacha

A real crowd pleaser – mixing the sweetness of strawberries and a kick of lime. You’ll need strawberries (obviously) as well sugar, rum, strawberry liqueur and lime juice to get started, as well as a cocktail shaker. Throw everything in together, give it a mash and shake well.

When you think you’re done, strain it into a Martini glass and garnish with a strawberry. Add crushed ice if you’d like a thicker mix.

5. Fruit Mojitos

Whiskthis

Summer just wouldn’t be summer without a mojito. While you might think of a mojito as being a joyous mix of mint and lime, there’s actually plenty of other flavours that you can opt for.

You’ll need a lime, some rum, a little syrup, some mint leaves and then some soda or juice of your choice (if you want an orange mojito, you’ll want orange juice, for example).

Then comes the fruit. What makes the mojito extra special is that you can try it out with most sweet fruits, although, orange, apple, mango, raspberry, strawberry, passion fruit, melon and coconut are perhaps the most well-known.

You could always make it slushy too by using a blender and adding ice. Once done, simply sit back by the pool and relax…

6. Rhubarb Lemonade

sweetsoursavory

A sure-fire hit with the kids – and a drink that offers a taste like none other.

Simply boil some rhubarb, sugar and water to start. Once the mix has boiled, turn down the heat, add some strawberries if you wish and leave to cool. Use a sieve to strain the mix and remove the leftover solids before leaving to chill in the fridge. Simply add in some lemon juice to the mix and serve over ice for the ultimate summer refreshment.

You can always add gin if you fancy a rhubarb fizz.

7. The G+T

Liquoronline

Sticking with a gin theme, we round of with a classic. And the potential for an added twist.

While the classic gin and tonic with a few slices of cucumber or lime is a timeless classic, there are plenty of other options too to makes things a little more exciting. From flavoured syrups and different tonic waters to edible flowers, making your summery cocktail has never been easier.

Of course not every tonic or fruit goes with a certain gin, but that’s all part of the fun. Try out your favourite flavours and see what combos you like. All that’s left to say is: enjoy!