Simple Cocktails We Can All Make This Summer
I’m sure we all say we would be keen to make a few summer cocktails at home now and again. There have definitely been a few occasions over the last year where we would have loved to get creative—maybe at a BBQ, a dinner party with new colleagues, or a birthday bash for a loved one.
Some of the more adventurous among us may even have had the urge to kick back in the evening with a relaxing cocktail or two in the garden after work!
So what’s stopping you? Many people feel intimidated by the perceived complexity of cocktail creation.
There’s no way you can quickly whip up a cocktail if it contains eleven ingredients (some of which need to be prepared days in advance!) and requires a PhD in chemistry to assemble. That’s the realm of skilled bartenders—making it impractical for the amateur cocktail enthusiast to attempt on a summer evening.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a guide to simple yet effective summer cocktail recipes that anyone can enjoy in the comfort of their own home.
None of the recipes presented here require more than three ingredients—by ingredients, we mean alcohol and mixers, not garnish or decorations (which can be left out if desired). The only equipment you’ll need is some glasses, a spoon, a vegetable peeler, a cocktail strainer, and a shaker. Got all that? Great—let’s get started!
Our Top 5 Simple Cocktails to Make at Home
Courting Two Sisters
Time: 5 minutes
Equipment: Mixing glass, spoon, cocktail strainer, vegetable peeler
Ingredients: - 45ml Dolin Chambery Vermouth Blanc - 45ml Dolin Red Vermouth - 10ml La Fee NV Absinthe
Instructions: Combine the Dolin Blanc and Red Vermouth in a glass, then add the absinthe. Fill the glass with ice and stir for 15-20 seconds until cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange twist.
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Barbados Cocktail
Time: 5 minutes
Equipment: Cocktail shaker and strainer
Ingredients: - 30ml Taylors Velvet Falernum - 45ml Gosling’s Black Seal Rum - 10ml lime juice - Crushed ice
Instructions: Fill a mixing glass halfway with crushed ice, then add the Velvet Falernum, Gosling’s Black Rum, and lime juice. Shake for 15 seconds, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve immediately.
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Grapefruit & Ginger Sparkler
Time: 5 minutes
Equipment: Champagne glass
Ingredients: - 15ml Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur - 30ml grapefruit juice - Fontessa Prosecco Brut - Grapefruit wedge
Instructions: Combine grapefruit juice and Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur in a champagne glass, then top with Fontessa Prosecco until nearly full. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
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Orange Cannon
Time: 5 minutes
Equipment: Cocktail shaker and strainer, glass
Ingredients: - 30ml Amaro Montenegro Liqueur - 15ml Aperol Aperitivo - 30ml freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the orange juice, Amaro Montenegro, and Aperol. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
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Carpenter’s Hand
Time: 5 minutes
Equipment: Old-fashioned glass or tumbler, spoon
Ingredients: - 60ml Janneau VSOP Armagnac - 15ml Classic Dry Amontillado Sherry Fernando de Castilla - 15ml Drambuie - Orange twist
Instructions: Place a large ice cube into your glass, then add the Janneau Armagnac, Amontillado Sherry, and Drambuie. Stir for 15 seconds and garnish with an orange twist.
So there you have it—five easy-to-make cocktails that taste delicious and take just minutes to prepare. Look out in September for more simple cocktail recipes on this blog. Mix them fast and drink them slow—enjoy!
Want to Know More About Our Range of Spirits?
Here at Drink Finder, we stock a large range of wines and champagnes and spirits to enjoy. Get in touch, and a member of our team will be happy to advise on drinks to suit your taste—or check out our new arrivals to discover something new.