1. Mojito
The mojito is, of course, a true summer classic. With its refreshing combination of mint, lime and sparkling water, it’s the perfect drink for a hot day. Prefer an alcohol-free drink? This mojito tastes just as good without rum!
Ingredients (per glass):
- 2 tbsp cane sugar
- 2 sprigs of fresh mint
- ½ lime
- 200 ml sparkling water and/or Sprite/7up
- Ice cubes
- Optional: 75 ml white rum
- To garnish: 1 slice of lime
Method:
- Wash the lime, cut it into wedges and add to a large glass.
- Add the cane sugar and crush it with a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon.
- Clap the sprigs of mint between your hands to release the flavour and add to the glass.
- Optional: add the rum.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Top it off with sparkling water and/or Sprite/7up. My favourite? A 50/50 mix of sparkling water and Sprite.
- Stir well.
- Garnish with a slice of lime on the rim of the glass.
2. Limoncello Spritz
One sip of this fresh Limoncello Spritz will make you feel like you're sitting on a sunny terrace in Italy. Here’s how to make it!
Ingredients (per glass):
- ¼ lemon
- 30 ml sparkling water (or more, to taste)
- 50 ml limoncello
- Non-alcoholic alternative: a dash (+/- 25 ml) of lemon syrup
- 100 ml (alcohol-free) prosecco
- Ice cubes
- To garnish: 1 (extra) slice of lemon and 1 sprig of mint
Method:
- Wash the lemon, slice it and add the slices to a large wine or cocktail glass.
- Fill the glass halfway with ice cubes.
- Top up with sparkling water, limoncello or squash, and (non-alcoholic) prosecco.
- Stir well.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint and a slice of lemon on the rim of the glass.
3. (Virgin) Pink Gin Lemon
Fancy something a little sweeter? Then give this (virgin) Pink Gin Lemon a try.
Ingredients (per glass):
- 50 ml Pink Gin
- Non-alcoholic alternative: 0.0% Pink Gin or a dash (+/- 25 ml) of strawberry/raspberry syrup
- 150 ml Fanta Lemon
- Frozen strawberries
- Ice cubes
- To garnish: 1 slice of lime
Method:
- Fill a large wine or cocktail glass halfway with ice cubes.
- Add a few frozen strawberries.
- Add the (0.0%) Pink Gin or syrup.
- Top it off with Fanta Lemon and stir.
- Garnish with a slice of lime in the glass.
4. Watermelon cocktail/mocktail
Is there anything more summery than watermelon? This watermelon drink is fresh, fruity and sweet!
Ingredients (per glass):
- 50 ml watermelon liqueur
- Non-alcoholic alternative: a dash (+/- 25 ml) of watermelon syrup
- 150 ml Bitter Lemon or Grapefruit soda
- Ice cubes
- To garnish: 1 sprig of rosemary and 1 slice of watermelon
Method:
- Fill a large wine or cocktail glass with ice cubes.
- Add the watermelon liqueur or lemonade syrup.
- Top it off with Bitter Lemon or Grapefruit soda and stir.
- Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a slice of watermelon in the glass.
5. Green iced tea
Not in the mood for a cocktail? Then homemade iced tea is a great option, too.
Ingredients (per glass):
- 1 L water
- 1 tea bag of green tea or 10 grams of loose-leaf green tea. I recommend green tea with mango or another fruity flavour.
- 3 sprigs of mint
- 1 lime
- 3 tbsp sugar or honey
- Ice cubes
- To garnish: extra slices of lime and mint
Method:
- Bring 1 L of water to a boil and pour it into a heatproof jug or pot.
- Add the tea bag or loose tea (in a tea strainer) and leave to infuse for five minutes.
- Remove the tea bag, add the sugar or honey and stir (gently!) until dissolved. However, this iced tea is also great without sugar or honey!
- Leave the tea to cool to room temperature.
- Wash the lime, slice it and add it to the cooled iced tea along with the mint.
- Leave the iced tea to cool further in the fridge.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes, pour in the iced tea and garnish with extra mint and slices of lime in the glass.
