Quick and easy cocktail recipes that are made for sipping in the sunshine.☀️
We love a cocktail here at Good Housekeeping and we've compiled all our favourite drinks to celebrate with our friends and family.
We've got plenty of options for everyone, whether you're more into fruity, sweet, sour or looking for low and no alcohol cocktails - we've got you covered.
From boozy mojitos, Aperol Spritz, gin sours and non-alcoholic Pimm's, our cocktail recipes will give you plenty of inspiration to enjoy the warmer weather.
We have plenty of ideas for frozen cocktails too - including a frozen strawberry daiquiri and a a frozen Aperol cocktail.
If you're entertaining and want an easy option then you can't go wrong with a jug of Pimm's, or have a look at our tried and tested cocktails in a can for the ultimate convenience.
Bourbon Iced Tea
A get-ahead tipple, ideal for a balmy evening. You can leave out the bourbon for a virgin version.
Recipe: Bourbon Iced Tea
Strawberry Royal Cocktail
This deliciously fruity cocktail has a strawberry infused-gin base, topped up with sparkling wine for a fizzy finish.
Recipe: Strawberry Royal Cocktail
Coconut rum punch
This summery cocktail is made with coconut rum, coconut water and vanilla pods.
Recipe: Coconut rum punch
Hugo spritz
The most delicious and refreshing summer cocktail with elderflower, Prosecco, mint and lime.
Recipe: Hugo spritz
Negroni Sbagliato
Yep, with Prosecco in it. This delicious bitter-sweet drink replaces the gin with bubbly Prosecco for a lighter and slightly lower ABV.
Recipe: Negroni Sbagliato
Ginger mojito
The traditional mojito has a surprise up its sleeve - a sugar syrup made with ginger makes it zing on a hot summer's day.
Recipe: Ginger mojito
Cucumber, mint and elderflower mocktail r
A refreshing non-alcoholic cocktail made with elderflower cordial and soda water - then topped with mint and limes.
Recipe: Cucumber, mint and elderflower mocktail
Negroni
You can't beat a classic bitter-sweet and bold Negroni and this is our recipe for the perfect serve.
Recipe: Negroni
White Port and Tonic
Your go-to gin sidekick just got a new best friend. Floral white port pairs perfectly with sharp fizzy tonic. Swap the rosemary for fresh mint, if you like.
Recipe: White Port and Tonic
White wine sangria
We've taken a refreshing twist on the Spanish classic, with this sparkling white wine Sangria – perfect for summer parties.
Recipe: White wine sangria
White Negroni
The lighter and fruitier version of a classic Negroni with a gorgeous Bergamot liqueur added to the mix. Simply delicious when served alongside green olives.
Recipe: White Negroni
Bee's Knees by Fords Gin
Wait until you try this incredibly simple yet incredibly delicious cocktail from Fords Gin. It only requires three ingredients and make sure to use the best quality honey you can find and you'll be rewarded with a lovely floral sweetness that pairs perfectly with the gin and lemon.
50ml Fords Gin
20ml Fresh Lemon Juice
20ml Honey
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with plenty of ice.
Strain into a coupe glass and serve.
Rozél Rose Vodka Spritz
Rozél is a beautiful vodka with all the flavours you'd find in a rosé wine like ripe white peaches, pink grapefruit and a hint of fresh raspberry. It's lovely on its own but shines when made into a spritz.
Ingredients:
50ml Rozél Rose Vodka
200ml Fever-Tree Raspberry & Rose Lemonade
Fresh raspberries to garnish
Method:
Add 50ml Rozél Vodka to a wine glass filled with ice and top with Fever-Tree Raspberry & Rose Lemonade.
Add fresh raspberries to garnish for the perfect summer serve.
Mystic Melange
Campari and Luxury Hotel Middle Eight in Covent Garden have teamed up to produce this beautifully fragrant and enticing cocktail for the summer months.
Ingredients:
30ml Fennel seed Infused Espolon Tequila (infuse any tequila blanco of your choice fennel seeds for a few days or until strength is to your liking)
25ml Creme de Peache
25ml Camomile Syrup
15ml Strawberry Purée
25ml Lime Juice
Garnish edible blue flower
Method:
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice until the shaker feels cold to the touch and looks frosted.
Fine strain into a coupette glass and garnish with edible flower.
Banana Colada
A pina colada that uses fresh bananas and a banana and salted caramel-infused rum? Yes please!
Recipe: Banana colada
La Dama de la Noche
For a unique tequila based cocktail, try La Dama de la Noche (the lady of the night) which features a crisp tequila blanco, a zesty lime cordial and sweet strawberry liqueur.
Ingredients:
30ml Lime cordial
15ml Creme de framboise
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients within a coupe glass and stir gently
Patron Parma-Rita
For the lovers of a parma violet, try this margarita with floral violet, elderflower and fresh silver tequila.
Ingredients:
50 ml PATRÓN Silver
20 ml crème de violette
10 Edwards elderflower liqueur
25ml lime juice
Parma violet rim
Edible flower garnish
Instructions:
Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously with ice for eight seconds.
Remove your glass from the freezer.
Carefully dip the coated rim into a plate of Parma Violet powder to create a delightful violet rim.
Strain the shaken mixture into your prepared glass (on the rocks or straight up) and garnish with a lime wedge.
Rhubarb & Lime Rickey
Make the most of rhubarb season by turning fresh rhubarb into a syrup to enjoy in this cocktail spiked with gin & lime.
Recipe: Rhubarb & Lime Rickey
Rhubarb martini
A martini with a twist for a sunny day – just add rhubarb syrup.
Recipe: Rhubarb martini
Frozen strawberry daiquiri
Strawberries, rum and lime combine for the perfect chilled summer cocktail
Recipe: Frozen strawberry daiquiri
Frozerol
Forget frosé (ok, we still love this, too) - Frozerol is about to become your new obsession. This Aperol Spritz slushie is the perfect adult summer drink.
Recipe: Frozerol
Frozen Espresso Martini
We love an espresso martini and this frozen version is seriously tasty - hello summer!
Recipe: Frozen Espresso Martini
Frozen Gin Fizz
Lemonade, gin, caster sugar and lemon juice... that's it, and you've got this AMAZING drink!
Recipe: Frozen Gin Fizz
Apple and ginger cocktail
This easy recipe has an alcoholic and non-alcoholic version
Recipe: Apple and ginger cocktail
Elderflower and gin granita
Elderflower is a big summer favourite – add gin for a boozy boost.
Recipe: Elderflower and gin granita
Frozen Margarita
Tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice make up a margarita, and this frozen version is perfect for warm summer days.
Recipe: Frozen Margarita
Tropical teaser
An easy non-alcoholic cocktail – using a secret shop-bought ingredient …
Recipe: Tropical teaser
Frozen pink gin
Pink gin is the DRINK of the moment, and this frozen version using pre-mixed cans is a fun summer cocktail.
Recipe: Frozen pink gin
Sophisticated slushy
A dessert, a slushy, a cooling drink – it’s all of these and we like it!
Recipe: Sophisticated slushy
Espresso Margarita
Combining an espresso martini with a margarita, this cocktail is refreshing and indulgent at the same time.
Recipe: Espresso margarita
Dirty Aperol
Citizens of Soil, who make some truly delicious extra virgin olive oils have shared their take on an Aperol spritz - a dirty Aperol to be exact! You wouldn't think to add oil to a cocktail, but a few drops gives this cocktail a lovely mouthfeel and subtle green and peppery taste.
Ingredients:
50ml Aperol
75ml Prosecco
A dash of soda water
1 teaspoon olive brine
1/2 teaspoon Citizens of Soil Peloponnese Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A slice of orange
olives, to garnish
Ice
Method:
Pop Aperol, olive brine, and extra virgin olive oil into a mixing glass. Stir over ice and strain into a large wine glass
Add Prosecco and soda water with a generous amount of ice. Garnish with orange slice and olives.
Whiskey refresher
Inspired by the classic Mint Julep, a great option for a garden party
Recipe: Whiskey refresher
Frozen Campari Spritz
Just when we thought a Campari spritz couldn't get any better - we decided to turn it into a frozen slushy version and it is the perfect summertime tipple.
Recipe: Frozen Campari Spritz
Tropical Dreams
Make your (tropical) dreams come true one step at a time with this fruity rum and pineapple juice cocktail.
Recipe: Tropical Dreams
Prosecco slushies
Hello Prosecco! Add frozen raspberries to make this gorgeous berry slushie.
Recipe: Prosecco slushies
Non-alcoholic Lemon iced tea
Refreshing chilled tea and zesty lemonade – what’s not to like?
Recipe: Lemon iced tea
Royal Raspberry Martini
Looking for something fruity with a slight earthy hit? This Royal Raspberry Martini by Pod Pea Vodka will do the trick!
Ingredients:
30ml Pod Pea Vodka
20ml Raspberry Liqueur
10ml Black pepper syrup
50ml Pineapple juice
Method:
Add all the ingredients to a large mixing glass and stir. Pour into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a large ice cube.
Orange and basil sparkler cocktail
This refreshing cocktail makes a great start to an extra-special evening.
Recipe: Orange and basil sparkler cocktail
The Earl's Tipple
A bold and fragrant cocktail with Cointreau and soda water.
Recipe: The Earl's Tipple
Mojito
Try our Mojito recipe - the classic Cuban cocktail.
Recipe: The perfect mojito
Caipirinha
Brazil’s national cocktail is made with cachaça, a spirit distilled from sugar cane.
Recipe: Classic caipirinha
Passiontini
Passion fruit and pomegranate combine to make this delicious cocktail recipe.
Recipe: Passiontini
Non-alcoholic Pimm's
What you need:
1 bottle of The London Essence Company’s Grapefruit and Lemon Verbena soda.
1 cucumber
1 apple
1 orange
Handful of strawberries
Ice
Method:
Thinly slice the cucumber until you have a long thin strip the length of the glass. Wrap this around the inner of the glass, creating a spiral from bottom to rim.
Cut the strawberries into thin slices and place around the inner of the glass.
Loosely stack ice the length of a tumbler glass.
Pour in the soda, and cut a small fan shaped slice of orange to garnish.
French Martini
Try something with a little je ne sais quoi to set the mood. Use a good quality vodka, like Russian Standard (widely available, RRP £15-£19), as it will show to superior effect in this rosy tipple.
Recipe: French martini
Puck's Mischief
This simple, floral cocktail is made with hibiscus flowers in syrup. Perfect for a Summer garden party.
Recipe: Puck's mischief
Rosy Glow Cocktails
Something a little special to set the mood (or raise a toast)
Recipe: Rosy Glow Cocktails
Apple and Elderflower Fizz
This summer cocktail recipe is a refreshing and sophisticated tipple made with apple juice and elderflower liqueur.
Recipe: Apple and Elderflower Fizz
Berry Blush Cocktails
Use any berry liqueur you like, such as crème de framboise, Chambord or cassis, to make these elegant and easy cocktails.
Recipe: Berry Blush Cocktails
Fruity Fizz
These fresh and fruity cocktails are sure to get the party going
Recipe: Fruity Fizz
French Riviera
Featuring apricot jam, honey, lemon, cognac & white rum to transport you to the south of France.
Recipe: French Riviera
Raspberry Sour
A sweet and sour concoction of fresh raspberries, zingy lemon juice, vodka, raspberry liqueur and refreshing mint.
Recipe: Raspberry sour
Campari Spritz
The Campari spritz is a wonderful alternative to an Aperol spritz. Made with the famous Italian liqueur, Prosecco and soda water, it's intense and bittersweet.
Recipe: Campari spritz
Aperol Spritz
If you're after a refreshing cocktail, an Aperol Spritz is probably the perfect tipple. Bright orange in colour and with a combination of sweet liqueur and white wine or fizzy Prosecco, it's refreshing with a bitter-sweet after taste.
Recipe: Aperol spritz
Classic Margarita
Tangy and oh so refreshing. The salt rim on a Margarita cocktail isn’t just for appearances, it helps balance the flavours too.
Recipe: Classic Margarita
Pimm's No 1 Cup
Do you know how to make Pimm's properly? We explain how to make the perfect jug of Pimm's, whether you prefer the classic recipe or want to try something new.
Recipe: How to make a jug of Pimm's
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