8 Berry-Licious Cocktails To Make For Summer Events
Summer is the season of vibrant sunshine, lazy afternoons, and outdoor barbecues. But when the temperature rises, there's nothing quite like enjoying a refreshing cocktail that captures the essence of the season. Berries, with their sweet and tangy flavors, are the perfect addition to any summer drink.
Berries offer a unique ability to toe the line between sweet and tart which makes them a truly versatile cocktail ingredient. And as an added bonus, you don’t usually need a lot to make the berry flavour shine. These concoctions are not only delicious but also simple to prepare, ensuring that you can spend more time enjoying your gathering and less time mixing drinks.
1. Berry Bomb Martini
Martinis are a fan favourite cocktail any time of the year, but by adding a splash of berry liqueur, you can up the fruity notes and create a drink that just screams summer fun.
Ingredients:
- 50 gms fresh or frozen raspberries
- 50 ml of blackberry liqueur
- 50 ml of cranberry juice
Directions:
Muddle the raspberries in a shaker then add the blackberry liqueur, and cranberry juice. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a fresh raspberry for an added burst of berry goodness.
2. Strawberry Fizz
Based on the much-loved Buck’s Fizz this cocktail adds some strawberry flair. With hints of strawberry and a slight aeration from the champagne makes for a perfect refresher.
This drink serves two people.
Ingredients:
- 100 ml of champagne or sparkling wine
- 50 ml of strawberry syrup
- 20 ml lemon juice
Directions:
For a sparkling delight, mix the strawberry syrup and lemon juice in a tall glass with ice. Top it up with champagne or sparkling wine and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a fresh strawberry.
3. Blueberry Mojito
The Cuban classic takes a summer twist. This is the perfect cocktail to make for a group because it can be made in pitchers and poured out for a delicious summer treat.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml of white rum
- 8-10 fresh or frozen blueberries
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 100 ml of soda water
- Juice of half a lime
Directions:
Muddle mint leaves and blueberries in a glass, add the rum, lime juice, and ice. Top up with soda water and stir gently. Garnish with a sprig of mint and fresh blueberries.
4. Raspberry Whiskey Sour
Another classic reimagined, raspberries replace the traditional citrus in the recipe for a more fruity finish.
This drink serves two people.
Ingredients:
- 80 ml of bourbon whiskey
- 50 gm of fresh raspberries + more for garnishing
- 20 ml sugar syrup
- 50 ml of fresh lemon juice
Directions:
In a shaker, muddle the raspberries to extract some juice. Then add the whiskey, syrup and lemon juice. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon twist and a few raspberries for an extra zing.
5. Mulberry Gin Fizz
For a bubbly, clean flavour, this simple Gin Fizz is the ticket. With a punch of sweet mulberries alng with the slight bitterness of tonic, it’s a delicious, balanced sip.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml of gin
- 50 gms mulberries
- 40 ml of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 80 ml of tonic water
Directions:
Muddle the mulberries in a shaker and then add in the gin and lime juice. Shake with ice and then strain into a glass. Top it off with tonic water and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with a lime wedge.
6. Cranberry and Raspberry Punch
The perfect punch bowl concoction, this simple mix has all the berry sweetness plus a tart edge from the cranberry juice for a more sophisticated berry drink.
This drink serves two people.
Ingredients:
- 200 ml of cranberry juice
- 100 ml of raspberry vodka
- 50 ml of orange liqueur
- 50 ml of sparkling water
Directions:
In a punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, raspberry vodka, and orange liqueur. Add ice and top with sparkling water. Stir gently and serve in chilled glasses. Garnish with slices of orange and a handful of fresh raspberries.
7. Bright Berry Cooler
This drink is brihgtened by the use of Crème de cassis, a dark liqueur made with blackcurrants and famous for being a light after-dinner tipple.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml of gin
- 50 ml of Crème de cassis
- 50 ml of fresh lemon juice
- 70 ml of soda water
Directions:
In a glass filled with ice, mix gin, liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. Top with soda water and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a few blackberries.
8. Triple Berry Sangria
For the wine fans, this sangria is a perfect step up from the usual. Be sure to pick a lighter wine like a Pinot Noir to best complement the fruits and the flavours.
This drink serves two people.
Ingredients:
- 200 ml of red wine
- 200 ml of cranberry juice
- 100 ml of coconut rum
- 50 ml of orange juice
Directions:
In a pitcher, combine red wine, rum, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Add a generous helping of ice and stir. Serve in wine glasses with a mix of fresh berries for a fruity finish.
So whenever the occasion calls for a bright, fresh, fruity cocktails, try out these Berry-based delights to be the hit of the party.
