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In need of some refreshment? You'll find perfect drink recipes for summer days and balmy nights in our collection of shakes, smoothies and spritzers. See Summer food recipes.
Known as “Valencia water”, this simple cocktail is a classic Spanish drink using fresh orange juice, sparkling wine, vodka and gin. As the name suggests, it comes from the Valencia region of Spain, and it’s the perfect summer cocktail, but you can enjoy it all year round. If you’re serving a crowd, fill glass pitchers and top with ice.
You can't beat a classic lemonade for the ultimate refreshing summer drink. This simple homemade lemonade recipe is easy to whip up – perfect for serving at barbecues, picnics and summer parties.
Try this grown-up twist on an ice cream float at your next summer get-together
Fresh and grassy matcha powder works beautifully with sweet and fragrant elderflower cordial in this interesting mocktail. It's vibrant, refreshing and something a bit different. Swap the soda water for prosecco if you want a cocktail.
A refreshing alternative to the classic spritz, the Spaghett combines Aperol, lemon juice and light beer. We’ve opted for an alcohol-free lager to keep the flavour fresh and clean. See our tip below for swapping in an alcoholic beer.
Some of these viral drinks can be super-sweet, but our take on dirty soda features a tangy raspberry syrup that’s incredibly easy to make. You can also swap in grenadine or raspberry cordial if you prefer, but it’s well worth making your own for the best flavour and results.
Martinis are known for their strong kick but serving them in mini form allows you to enjoy all the flavour and elegance without overdoing it. Try them as an aperitif or stylish sundowner.
Give this refreshing and fruity mocktail a go if you fancy an alcohol-free sip
Prep this fruity alcohol-free mojito in advance for a new picnic favourite. Keep the sparkling water and garnishes separate until serving for best results. A lovely way of celebrating and enjoying sweet and fragrant seasonal raspberries!
A sour can be made with any spirit you like (and aren’t really that sour), and although they require a shaker of some sort, they're easy to make.
Mix up a daiquiri with this quick and easy recipe
Create a sweet summer sundowner using Scotch whisky, subtly sweet pear cider and black tea in this easy recipe. Top with ice cubes and garnish with a fanned pear for the perfect sunset tipple.
Wonderfully zesty, this seasonal spiced apple and ginger ale is perfect for warming your hands on cold nights
Packed full of lime, mint and basil, this thirst quenching green sangria is the perfect drink for summer entertaining.
Food writer Nargisse Benkabbou's homemade lemonade is inspired by the flavours of Morocco. Try adding a spoonful of orange blossom water for light floral and aromatic notes and serve over ice for the ultimate summer refresher.
Make the most of seasonal raspberries when they're in abundance for this delicious fruity and fragrant gin. It only takes 5 minutes to prep, then let the flavours work their magic for at least 2 months and you will have a very special drink at the end of it. This would make a perfect gift for a gin lover at Christmas time or any time!
Baked beans get the five-star (but thrifty!) treatment with this super easy and speedy recipe that's vegan, dairy-free and healthy. This makes a brilliant side for Bonfire Night or any time you fancy something warm and comforting. Serve with crusty bread, toast or a baked potato, see tip below.
This easy summer spritz mocktail is pure holiday vibes
Cucumber gives this classic Cuban punch a cool and refreshing twist. Perfect for summer entertaining, you can make this in advance and just add the ice and water before serving.
Brilliant for dairy-free diets, this creamy, fruity smoothie is whizzed up in just 5 minutes and you can freeze it for when you're craving that smoothie hit! Packed with plenty of seasonal fruit, it's high in fibre and each serving provides one of your 5-a-day. A great way to kick-start your day or serve as a refreshing snack.
Move beyond plain gin and tonics with this easy gin cocktail that tastes like summer in a bottle. Gin, peach schnapps and apple juice combine for a sweet tipple that is perfect for any summer party.
Looking for a cool summer cocktail that's a bit different? Give this ruby-red refresher a go. Mixing red wine, lemonade and plenty of ice, with a twist of lemon and fragrant mint, the Tinto de Verano is the ultimate summer cocktail, straight from Spain - ¡salud!
Summertime coffee break – but make it pink! Our twist on this viral ombre drink is perfect for watching the tennis or sipping alfresco. A decadent iced latte recipe that can easily be scaled up for brunch with friends or summer parties.
A G&T is a classic, but it's not the only way to enjoy tonic water in a tipple. Try this summery long drink featuring white port that's light, zingy and oh-so-refreshing.
Cooling cucumber, zingy lime and bitter-sweet tonic water create a refreshing mojito-inspired mocktail that's just perfect for summer. We've used elderflower tonic water for a lovely floral note, but you could use classic tonic water, if you like.
This ginger and turmeric mocktail certainly packs a punch! Loaded with fresh ginger and fresh turmeric, blended with tangy apple juice and refreshing, bitter-sweet tonic water, it's the perfect summer sip for parties and picnics.
This apricot bellini uses peach schnapps for the ultimate retro vibe. Perfect for serving to a crowd as a speedy summer drink, you can even make the apricot purée a few hours ahead and store in the fridge.
Making spicy margaritas at home couldn’t be easier with our chilli ice cube hack. Give it a go to make this sweet ‘n’ spicy Peach Marg.
Turn your lemon spritz into a boozy slushie to keep you cool all summer long. With gin, white wine and lemon juice this sparkling iced cocktail is packed with refreshing summer flavours.
Tequila Sunrise meets Lager Shandy in this Lagertia Sunrise. With orange juice and tequila mixed with your favourite lager, it’s the perfect summer cooler.
Enjoy the flavours of a bitter orange Italian aperitif in this easy ice lolly idea. Simply mix Bella Apertini with prosecco and garnish with a slice of orange, then freeze to make the ultimate summer cooler.
This elegant cocktail, made with rosé wine, mint, lemon, lime and agave, is the perfect refresher to enjoy al fresco. So easy to prepare, it can also be made in a large jug, making it ideal for a summer party
A lassi is a cooling and refreshing yogurt-based drink originating from India. This mango one has a salted lime twist for a tangy hit. Garnish with a swirl of mango purée and crushed cardamom pods for a sophisticated tropical-flavoured drink.