Three heatwave-inspired cocktails you NEED to make at home

Jun 30, 2015

It’s warm! No really – it’s proper warm out.

In fact, it’s a day to venture outside without so much as a hint of a geansai. And it’s time to wear your sandals with pride too. Yes, leave your sunnies on… there are no clouds in the sky (seriously – we just checked).

For many of us, it will be only right and proper to mark the occasion with a cool cocktail of sorts. It’s officially a school night, admittedly, but we have no idea when the weather will take a turn for the worse – so it’s probably best just to take action now.

Here, we’ve compiled three of our favourites…

Vodka-lemon slush:

500mls lemonade
500mls of orange juice
Three dessert spoons of sugar
7UP or Sprite to top up with
750mls vodka

Makes enough for an evening soiree

Leaving the 7UP aside, in a large plastic container (eg a big lunchbox) combine all ingredients and mix well.
Cover and freeze overnight.
To serve, scrape a spoon across the top of the frozen mixture and then half fill a glass with the slush.
Top it up with 7UP and enjoy.

Crushed berry gin:

10/12 frozen mixed berries
One teaspoon of sugar
Ice
A squeeze of lime and lemon juice
Two fresh strawberries to serve (if you're feeling fancy)
50mls gin

Makes one crushed berry gin

You can make these for individuals or in smaller batches – ideal if you don’t plan on consuming an entire bottle of spirits (hardly advisable at the best of times).
In a blender, combine the ice, sugar and frozen berries.
Squeeze a dash of lime and lemon over the mixture, add your rum, and then top up with 7Up to taste.
Blend again until smooth..
Pour into a glass and serve – garnishing with sliced strawberry.

Classic mojito:

8 mint leaves
Half a lime, chopped
Crushed ice
15g of brown sugar
Soda water
80mls white rum

Makes two classic mojitos

Mash up mint, lime, and sugar in a cocktail shaker – or just stick in a sandwich bag and hammer with a rolling pin.
If you’re using a shaker, next add a generous scoop of ice and then the rum. If you’ve gone down the sandwich bag route, transfer into a large bowl before adding the same.
Shake/stir until well-mixed and then strain equally into two chilled glasses.
Top up with soda water to taste.