Refreshing summer drink recipes

Summer Drinks

Summer is well and truly upon us. Whether it be summer cocktails at the beach, barbecue in a garden setting or a special event then summer is the time to experiment with new drink recipes.

Summer drinks always conjure up refreshing flavours and tastes, cooling lemonades, fresh fruit, aromatic herbs, heady syrups and exotic liqueurs.

Now is the time to start experimenting even if you are new to making summer drinks. All recipes should be simple with not too many ingredients.

Here are a few to try from Brunch with Brother Marcus cookery book (reviewed here) One is alcohol-free and one is more of a sophisticated alcohol offering.

Watermelon Juice

Serves 4

5g fresh mint

1.5kg watermelon

50ml lime juice

Jug

Large sieve

Put the mint into a mug, then fill it up with boiling water from a kettle and leave to brew for 5 minutes. Discard the mint and set the mint tea aside.

Cut up the watermelon into chunks, discard the peel, then remove all the pips you can. Blend the watermelon flesh, then pour it into a jug through a large sieve. Let it sit in the sieve until all the liquid has strained through, then discard the pulp. Add the cool mint tea and the lime juice and pop in the fridge to cool.

This refreshing drink can last for up to three days in the fridge.

If you are looking for a recipe to share with friends on a hot balmy day, give this cocktail a try.

Portokali

Serves 2

2 tbsp Greek honey

½ clementine, peeled

70ml white rum

30ml apricot brandy

50ml lime juice

2 sprigs fresh thyme

2 coupe glasses

Boston shaker

Hawthorne strainer

sieve strainer

muddler

ice

Spoon the honey into a small glass and add 10ml boiling water from the kettle to help loosen it. Pop the half clementine into the Boston shaker and give it a good muddle. Add the rum, apricot brandy, lime juice and loosened honey, then add ice and give a good shake. Double strain the mixture between the two coupe glasses and lay a thyme sprig across the top of each one.