Photography: Tim Roberts | Styling: Michele Cranston
Starring seasonal fruit and aromatic herbs, these spectacular summer cocktails will have your thirst quenched in no time. Whether you like wine or spirits, there is a cocktail (and mocktail) creation for a grown-up celebration.
To make cocktails like a pro, make sure you have all of the drink elements prepped and ready to go before your guests arrive.
For extra cold drinks, chill your glasses for a few hours before serving.
And don’t forget to have lots of nibbles on hand, such as olives, crackers and nuts! Here are our best Christmas finger food recipes, or for something a little more fancy here are out top canapé recipes.
01
Watermelon Daiquiri
Fresh and cool
Looking for a way to cool down this summer? This is the cocktail you need. It blends juicy watermelon with the zest of lime and a splash of rum.
02
Strawberry lychee margarita
Shaken, not stirred
If you want a cocktail that ticks all the boxes, you can’t go past this strawberry lychee margarita, created by TikTok’s @diycocktailguy. All your friends will be begging for a second (third, and fourth) round.
03
Cucumber spritz with lychee
Perfect for sipping by the pool
Crisp, fresh and fruity – this is the cocktail you need on a hot summer’s day by the pool. It leans for crisp than sweet, which is perfect if you’re not much of a sweet-tooth.
04
Spicy mango paloma cocktail
Turn up the heat
Are you a bit of a risk-taker? Then you need to try this spicy mango paloma. Here, tequila and frozen mango are blended together before being topped with spicy Tajin seasoning for a kick that’ll last all summer long.
05
Tequila old fashioned
A fresh take on a classic.
While a traditional old fashioned is made with whisky or brandy, here @diycocktailguy uses tequila to give this classic cocktail a summer spin.
06
Passionfruit mojito
The ultimate summer cocktail
Minty and sweet, this mojito hits the right spot. White rum forms the base, while mint and passionfruit pulp make it taste just like summer.
07
Roasted strawberry frose
Pretty in pink
This summery drink just might be the prettiest cocktail you’ll ever make.
08
Aloha cocktail
Golden and fresh
This golden cocktail was developed by St Cloud Eating House in Melbourne and is a fresh, fun take on a traditional Whiskey Sour.
09
‘Sunburnt’ Hendricks Gin cocktail
A party starter
Get the party started with this refreshing cocktail.
10
No. 564 cocktail
A Sydney original
This world-class cocktail was created by Lenny Opai at Bondi Icebergs.
11
Mint, lime coconut mojito
Featuring refreshing coconut water.
This has all the traditional Cuban highball makings – rum, sugar, lime and mint – but adds refreshing coconut water.
12
Aussie Summer Mango Spritz
Embrace the scent of summer.
Mangoes are in abundance during the summertime, so turn them into a refreshing cocktail. The mango syrup made for this cocktail will keep in a jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks – so it’s the perfect, make-ahead cocktail.
13
Orange and Aperol granito with Prosecco splash
All your fave drinks in one.
Aperol and Prosecco – name a more iconic duo! This cocktail will transport you to a European summer by the beach – perfect for lazy summer days or for a warm weather soiree.
14
Strawberry and hibiscus champagne
An elegant cocktail perfect for celebrating
Welcome the warmer weather with this refreshing cocktail. Serve these in a vintage set of hollow-stem cocktail glasses for a touch of drama.
15
Champagne Aperol punch
Chic and cheerful
Serve up a bowl of this Champagne Aperol Punch for your guests this Christmas!
16
Champagne cosmopolitan cocktail
Simple and pretty
Keep cool through summer with a glass of this pretty cocktail, combining a classic Cosmopolitan cocktail with bubbles.
17
Lychee, mint and passionfruit champagne
Crisp and fresh
Get your weekend off to a good start with this crisp and energising Champagne cocktail. All you need is 4 ingredients and 10 minutes to spare.
18
Peach and champagne bellini
The taste of summer
What better way to celebrate the end of a working week than with a cocktail, or two? Toast to the holidays with this classic sweet tipple.
19
Raspberry and lavender cocktail
Festive and floral
This pretty in pink cocktail is almost too cute to drink. Garnish with freshly picked lavender for dramatic effect and an aromatic experience.
