Summer is in full swing, and it doesn’t get much better than sipping on some cocktails in the sunshine in your favourite pub.
PROOF Insight recently found that 1 in 4 under-35s are drinking less often but treating themselves to better quality when they are out.
You can even use our ‘Pubs that have a Cocktail Bar’ Pubfinder, if you’re after some inspiration for where to go.
Get inspired for your summer of cocktails with some of our on-trend top picks next time you go to your local.
Summer of Spritz
According to research from PROOF Insight, 5% of people say they would drink a spritz cocktail when moderating their alcohol intake. Our love for spritz serves in the summer shows no sign of slowing down, with many bars now creating a separate spritz menu to entice customers looking for refreshment in the sunshine.
Lemon Spritz
50ml Limoncello
75ml Prosecco
25ml Soda water
Ice cubes
Half slice of lemon
Sprig of mint
Fill a large long-stemmed wine glass with ice cubes. Pour in Prosecco, lime, soda water and stir well. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint.
Elderflower Spritz
25ml Elderflower liqueur
20ml Gin
90ml Prosecco
35ml Soda water
Fresh lime
Fill a tumbler glass with ice. Add elderflower liqueur, gin and prosecco. Top with soda water and garnish with sliced lime.
Tequila, Tequila
Mexican cuisine is already popular in the UK and is currently eaten regularly by 1 in 3 under 45s. 30% of under 45s already enjoy tequila in cocktails and as a shot, and 1 in 10 enjoy it mixed with tonic.
Tommy’s Margarita
50ml Tequila Blanco
25ml Fresh lime juice
12.5ml Agave syrup
Salt for rim (Optional)
Lime wedge
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add ingredients, shake and pour into a rocks glass with a salt rim and filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.
Pink Grapefruit Paloma
25ml Tequila Blanco
25ml Pink grapefruit juice
15ml Lime juice
10ml Agave syrup
Pink grapefruit soda
Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker – minus the pink grapefruit soda. Shake and strain over ice in a highball glass. Top up with pink grapefruit soda and stir. Garnish with a slice of fresh pink grapefruit.
More summer serves
Sometimes you just want something fun and refreshing to add to that summer feeling. Check out some of our picks below.
Piña Colada
50ml Spiced Rum
75ml Pineapple juice
25ml Coconut cream
Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with a slice of fresh pineapple.
Summer Lemonade
60ml London Dry Gin
20ml Lemon juice
20ml Agave syrup
1 Fresh Passionfruit
50ml Lemonade
Blend all ingredients except lemonade without ice. Strain to remove passionfruit seeds. Add two handfuls of crushed ice to blended mixture. Blend to a granita texture. Serve in a Copa glass and top up with 50ml lemonade.
Passionfruit Martini
60ml Vanilla vodka
30ml Passionfruit liqueur
12.5ml Vanilla syrup
20ml Lime juice
Prosecco
1 passionfruit – cut in half
Scoop the seeds from half a passionfruit into a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, passionfruit liqueur, lime juice and vanilla syrup. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with the other half of passionfruit. Serve with shot of prosecco on the side.