Great cocktails (or mocktails, if that's your jam) are a staple of the warmer months! Summer brings with it heat and rays of sunshine aplenty!

We’ve made no secret of just how much we love knitwear & the coziness of it all - but there’s something to be said for the Summertime reprieve of sliding off the woollens & slipping our feet into some espadrilles.

As those lazy days begin to stretch out, its one of life’s simple pleasures to spend your afternoon soaking up the sun with a glass in hand.

So with glass half full attitude, we’re bringing a few of our fave cocktails in preparation for an awesome Summer!

Starting with our recipe for a Classic Rum Punch!

Classic Rum Punch

Ingredients

175ml freshly squeezed orange juice
75ml freshly squeezed lime juice
150ml good-quality golden rum
50ml sugar syrup
dash of grenadine syrup
dash of Angostura bitters
ice cubes, to serve
generous pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
2 thick slices orange, to garnish
maraschino cherries, to garnish

To mix, just pour the juices, rum, sugar syrup, grenadine and Angostura bitters into a large jug and give it a good stir. Then pop it into the fridge to chill for 1 hr.

When it's time to serve, generously pour over ice into the glass of your choice, add a sprinkling of nutmeg & garnish each glass with an orange slice and maraschino cherry!

Want to add a little extra? Just include some sliced Strawberries for an even fruitier finish!

Hawaiian Sunset

Then there's this fabulous cocktail from Niamh @bar_bectune. A Fabulous cocktail from a fabulous bartender!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bar Bectune (@bar_bectune)

Or maybe you're easing off the booze for a while but you still fancy something for your Summertime palette? How about a Mocktail?

Mocktail Paloma

From Pip @drinkswithbarbarella comes this gorgeous Paloma using Crossip Dandy instead of Tequila!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BAR-BARELLA (@drinkswithbarbarella)

Of course, here in the UK we've got a lot of Gin Lovers. So what would a sunshine-filled cocktail menu be without a Classic Tom Collins?!

Tom Collins

Ingredients

50ml gin
25ml lemon juice
25ml sugar syrup
125ml chilled soda water

This is a super simple recipe! Just gently build the drink over plenty of ice straight in a Collins or tall glass. To serve, stir softly and garnish with a slice of lemon. Tom Collins Cocktails are incredibly versatile too! Want to make it pink? Gently muddle a handful of raspberries in the glass before adding ice & your ingredients and voila! A Raspberry Collins!

One of the most oft-forgotten cocktail ingredients is Scotch! But not to worry if whisky is your tipple of choice, Rox @miss.rox.the.fox has you covered with her Flying Scotsman recipe!

Flying Scotsman

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rox the Fox (@miss.rox.the.fox)

We hope you enjoy some lazy days in your garden, sipping on one of these fantastic cocktails made with love!

Remember - Enjoy yourself!

Drink responsibly & we'll see you soon.

xoxox

Bow and Crossbones Blog — VIVA LAS VEGAS

Countdown to VIVA 25!