Summer entertaining: exciting new cocktails and mocktails

No summer party is complete without a good cocktail. We've found 5 delicious summer-inspired cocktails - and mocktails - that you can make at home and impress your guests with this season.

Frozen pomegranate margarita

What's better than a refreshing frozen margarita on a hot summer evening - a homemade margarita with a pomegranate twist (you can thank us later for this one).

You will need:

·       ¼ cup of pomegranate juice

·       1/3 cup of silver tequila

·       1/8 cup of triple sec

·       ¼ cup of lime juice

·       1.5 cups of ice

·       Coarse salt

·       Pomegranate seeds (optional)

What you need to do:

Chill your glass and then dip the rim in lime juice and then dip it in coarse salt. In a blender you will need to add your ice, tequila, pomegranate juice and triple sec and then blend until the mixture becomes smooth and frothy in consistency. From there you can pour your drink into your pre-prepared glass and serve with a wedge of lime or some pomegranate seeds

Aperol Spritz

A popular drink in Italy, this cocktail is supremely refreshing (and delicious) thanks to its tart orange taste.

You will need:

 ·       Ice

·       50ml Aperol

·       75ml Prosecco

·       Soda to top up

·       Slice of orange to garnish

What you need to do:

Get a tall wine glass and add ice up to about halfway. Add a shot (50ml) of Aperol and then your prosecco. Finish by topping up the drink with soda water and giving it a stir. Serve with a slice of fresh orange as a garnish.

Grapefruit kombucha agua fresca

This one is for designated drivers and those who prefer their drinks virgin. A deliciously refreshing mocktail that is the perfect accompaniment for a summer afternoon, the Grapefruit Kombucha Agua Fresca is definitely going to be a fast favourite.

You will need:

·       1 cup of grapefruit juice

·       1 cup of standard (unflavoured) kombucha

·       1 teaspoon of simple syrup

·       2 sprigs of fresh rosemary

·       Slice of grapefruit

·       Soda water

What you need to do:

Combine your grapefruit juice, simple syrup and kombucha and then pour into two glasses filled with ice.  Top up with soda water and garnish with the fresh rosemary and a slice of grapefruit.

Simple mango Bellini

Nothing says summer quite like a fresh juicy mango, so why not enjoy it in a delicious and easy to make cocktail as well?

You will need:

·       ½ a ripe mango

·       150ml chilled champagne

What you need to do:

Pop the mango into your blender along with about 100ml of champagne. Blend until the mixture becomes a smooth puree and then pour into two glasses (preferably champagne glasses, but any glass will work). Top up the glasses with the remaining champagne and then enjoy!

Apple elderflower and mint sparkle

Another one for our alcohol-free friends, this mouth-watering mocktail is so good it'll turn even the most hardened cocktail fan.

You will need:

·       75ml elderflower cordial

·       350ml cloudy apple juice

·       400ml sparkling water

·       Handful of chopped mint leaves

What you need to do:

In a large pitcher, muddle the mint leaves and the cloudy apple juice with the back of a spoon. Add the elderflower cordial and then top up with sparkling water. Serve in glasses filled with ice to ensure the mocktail is enjoyed chilled.

These simple yet luxurious cocktails and mocktails are guaranteed to be the highlight of any lunch, sundowners or dinners you host at your home this summer.

Read our previous article here: https://www.hamiltons.co.za/news/interior-design-redesign-your-bathroom/

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