Shake it up: a guide to the best summer cocktails to cool down your summer

Summer is here, and what is the perfect way to enjoy a hot day in the sun? By having a lovely cocktail! Whether you are your own personal mixologist or a frequent bar-crawler around Leamington, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy a post-exam beverage. Having recently been elected the President of Warwick Cocktail Society, I know my fair share of cocktails. While my mixology skills may be on the basic side, here are my go-to summer cocktail picks – from some all-time classics to some fun twists.

Aperol spritz
I know this choice is incredibly basic, but who doesn’t wish they were sipping on an Aperol spritz on the Italian coast? There is something about the Aperol spritz that is so light and refreshing: a quintessential beverage on every cocktail menu. The origin of the Aperol spritz is a a peculiar one. It originated from Austrian soldiers visiting the Veneto region of Italy who could not handle the strength of the usual Italian wine, so they mixed it up with some spritz. Excitingly, the classic Aperol spritz is incredibly easy to make, only consisting of three ingredients – Aperol, prosecco, and soda water (or lemonade if you are feeling less traditional). If you want to shake things up with the Aperol spritz, I recently tried a passionfruit spritz using Passoã instead of Aperol, which was equally refreshing and summery.

Strawberry mojito
Everyone has heard of the classic mojito, with the perfect zesty mix of lime, white rum and mint. However, the strawberry mojito may be the go-to summer alternative. Instead of the usual muddling (squashing) of mint and lime in the glass, add some strawberries to the mix to create a sweeter, and arguably less boozy-tasting alternative.

Piña colada
This is an absolute summer must, especially if you like a milkier cocktail. Served with a mini umbrella, you can’t go wrong with this tropical blend. I would recommend this cocktail when going out with friends and family, not just because you need a blender to prepare, but also because it always feels akin to drinking a dessert-like treat. An exciting alternative, which I am dying to try, is a frozen Pina colada, which uses frozen pineapple juice ice cubes that are blended into the drink, to create a ‘slushie’ style of texture.

Pitchers (Pimm’s or sangria)
Whether you are destined for a summer watching Wimbledon or have rediscovered the random Pimms jug in your cupboard, what is better than a cocktail? A sharing cocktail! Perhaps it should be a discussion topic whether Pimm’s or sangria are actually cocktails, given that they are basically Pimm’s or red wine in a jug full of chopped fruit. Nevertheless, what is not to love, you get your five-a-day in the process – hopefully accompanied with some delicious Spanish tapas.

Japanese slipper
This is my niche choice and one that is not a widespread classic. The drink surrounds itself on one core element, the spirit Midori, which is an electric green liqueur that tastes like melons. Alongside dashes of orange and lemon flavour, the Japanese slipper is a perfect summertime drink to add to your cocktail repertoire. I was very lucky to have this drink made for me by a friend, and I became an instant fan. The fact this drink is bright green, and melon liqueur is a thing, is all very exciting to me. This drink takes a strong position on my list of summertime favourites.

As expected, there are many classic cocktails which absolutely should be included. A strawberry daiquiri, margarita and porn star martini are all super popular, summery drinks, often with equally delicious non-alcoholic alternatives. Now exam season is coming to a close, it is the perfect time to test out your mixology skills and have a go at making these five exciting cocktails at home, or even venturing out for a relaxing evening drink with friends.