Summer might be on its way out but we’re in denial. Everyone knows the best to enjoy summer is with a delicious and refreshing drink!

These include some of our favourite cocktails, many of whom have a singular, summer-friendly purpose: they make you feel cool in a very literal sense!

An absolute classic we love is the iconic Mojito, which is as refreshing as a Caribbean breeze and whispers ‘summer’ oh so beautifully in our ear from the first sip. It’s a little bit sweet and citrusy fresh, with bright mint laying cover for the earthier bite of rum that makes the drink’s base. It’s as Cuban as a cocktail can be, dating back to the 1600s, and is perhaps even more popular today than around the time of its inception!

With all that in mind, here’s a recipe for a classic Mojito mix that always goes down a treat, and a non-alcoholic version that is equally as refreshing…

Classic Mojito 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. white rum
• 1/2 oz. lime juice (squeezed fresh)
• 1 tsp. superfine sugar
• 3 mint leaves
• Club soda or soda water

Method:

1. In a smallish Collins glass, muddle lime juice with 1/2 to 1 tsp. of superfine sugar.
2. Add the mint leaves, mushing them gently against the side of the glass.
3. Fill a glass 2/3 with cracked ice and pour in the rum.
4. Throw in the squeezed-out lime shell and top off with club soda.
5. Sit back, sip and enjoy!

Virgin Mojito

With a quick, homemade sugar syrup, fresh ingredients, and lots of fizz, virgin mojito mocktails are perfect for enjoying in hot weather without worrying about the dizzying effects of alcohol. 

Ingredients:

• Fresh lime juice
• Fresh mint
• Sugar syrup
• Club soda or soda water
• Sprig of mint (for garnish)
• Lime wedge or lime slice (for garnish)

Method:

1. To make the sugar syrup, combine ½ cup white sugar with ½ cup hot water. Stir until it’s dissolved and place it in the refrigerator. Chill completely before using. 
2. Add mint and lime juice to a highball glass. Gently muddle to release the oil in the mint leaves.
3. Add the sugar syrup. 
4. Fill the glass with ice cubes and top with club soda to fill the glass, and stir. 
5. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, and lime wedges or a lime slice.