5 Spring & Summer Cocktail Recipes

Spring has sprung. Summer is near. If you are looking forward to rising temperatures, clear blue skies, blossoming flowers and nicer weather in general, the next few months will be very exciting for you indeed.

Spring is the most exciting season of the year for many people and if you are one of those individuals, you will instantly understand why that is. When it comes to entertaining however, that is where things get a little tricky.

During the summer months, entertaining guests is relatively simple in terms of food and drink. Seasonal produce can make all of the difference, yet when it comes to the spring, sourcing the right ingredients can prove to be tricky.

You see, during the summer, the weather is almost guaranteed to be perfect. The days are longer and produce does seem to taste better. If you are entertaining guests and are throwing a party during the spring months however, rest assured that you can still blow your guests minds especially when it comes to cocktail choices.

Whether you are catering yourself or have hired your own Intertain private chef, we have your back, as we will now be sharing a few spring and summer cocktail recipes that are absolutely stunning. We also have some Intertain menus to match your cocktails or vice versa!

Strawberry and Basil Margaritas 

If you are throwing your own private garden party out in the warm sunshine, it can be easy to become thirsty, so a thirst quenching beverage that is refreshing, delicious, and that still packs quite a punch is going to be required. Rather than a typical margarita, which can be a little too alcoholic and harsh on the palette, try these sweet and refreshing strawberry and basil margaritas instead.

Be careful however, as they are very moreish, so you may find it hard to resist the urge to have another and another and another. Here’s what you need:

Ingredients for 1 pitcher

• 12 ripe strawberries
• 8 fresh basil leaves
• 12 ounces of frozen lime cordial
• 2 ½ cups of good quality tequila
• Soda water
• Ice

Method

• Empty the lime cordial into a large pitcher and top up with soda water and ice
• Add the tequila
• Remove the stalks and slice the strawberries lengthways and add to the mixture
• Crumble in the basil leaves and then place the mixture into the fridge and leave overnight
• The next day, the liquid will be a warm pink colour and will taste fabulous

Recommended Intertain Menu: Sea To Shore by Pete Hilcke

Pimms Cup

If you are going for a British themed afternoon tea garden party, this Pimms cup cocktail will go down an absolute treat. Here’s what you’ll need.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces of Pimms number 1 cup
• Slices of fresh cucumber
• Ginger ale
• Lemon and lime soda
• Slices of lemon
• Sliced apple, mint leaves, strawberry, and orange
• Ice

Method

• Take a large cocktail pitcher, add a handful of ice, and pour in the Pimms
• Next, add your mint leaves and chopped fruit
• Top up with ginger ale and the lemon and lime soda
• Give a gentle stir, leave for the fruit flavours to infuse, and enjoy

Recommended Intertain Menu: High Tea Party by Fhred Erick Batalona

Whisky Sour with Honey

A party just wouldn’t be a party without a whiskey sour and whether you are throwing a private dining party or a full-fledged garden party, this cocktail will go down a treat.

Ingredients

• 2 oz of whisky
• A good squeeze of lemon juice 
• Half an oz of honey
• Warm water
• Ice

Method

• Take a shaker, add the honey, and then top up with a splash of warm water
• Stir until a thick syrup is formed
• Into the same shaker, add your lemon juice and whiskey, along with a handful of ice
• Strain the mixture into a glass, and enjoy

Recommended Intertain Menu: Hudson Spring by Adam Hudson

Watermelon Mojito

Let’s face it, although not quite summer, the spring can get pretty darn warm, and on days like that, we need something cooling and refreshing. This Watermelon Mojito is absolutely perfect.

Ingredients

• 2 oz of dark rum
• 1 oz of sugar syrup
• 1 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3 ½ oz of cubed watermelon
• 8 mint leaves
• Ice

Method

• In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the watermelon and mint leaves
• Next, add the syrup, rum, ice, and lime juice, and give a good shake
• Pour into a large double rocks glass, and enjoy

Recommended Intertain Menu: Out To Impress by Robbie Bell

Green Tea Mojito

If you are sticking with a garden party theme, no garden party would be complete without tea. This Green Tea Mojito ticks all of the right boxes.

Ingredients

• 4 mint leaves
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Half a cup of freshly brewed green tea
• 2 heaped teaspoons of sugar
• 1 oz of white rum
• Ice
• Sliced cucumber

Method

• Muddle together the lime juice, sugar, and mint leaves until they form a thick paste
• Transfer to a Collins glass, top up with ice, add the green tea, and top up with the rum
• Leave to infuse, give a good stir, and enjoy
• If making in a pitcher, simply multiply the listed ingredients above for the number of people you wish to serve

Recommended Intertain Menu: Teishoku Course by Tamaki Nakatani