The Best Summer Garden Cocktails - Kings Seeds

Summer is the perfect season for enjoying all those full flavours from the garden with refreshing drinks that make the most of the warmer days. Summer cocktails can be a fun way to stay cool and entertained as we indulge in sunny picnics, outdoor barbecues and leisurely afternoons. We'll explore summer cocktails that you can easily whip up at home using fresh ingredients from your garden, including popular herbs and edible flowers from Kings Seeds. Be inspired by these summer cocktail recipes and find your favourites to sip throughout the season!

 

Types of Summer Cocktails

When it comes to summer cocktails, the options are endless. They can range from classic concoctions to trendy modern mixes. Popular categories include fruit-based cocktails, herb-infused drinks on ice and those featuring refreshing visual & edible floral elements. Summer cocktail recipes often showcase ingredients like berries, citrus fruits and garden herbs, allowing you to enjoy the best the season has to offer. One exciting ingredient you could grow is Roselle, known for its vibrant coloured calyx, which can be added to cocktails and champagne for a stunning visual effect. You can even preserve Roselle to enjoy its unique flavour throughout the year!

 

Using Your Summer Garden

An excellent way to elevate your summer cocktails is by incorporating fresh ingredients straight from your garden. By planting herbs such as spearmint, basil, and even edible flowers like butterfly pea, you'll have everything you need to create unique and delicious drinks! Not only do these ingredients enhance taste, but they also add stunning visual appeal to your cocktails.

 

Classic Summer Cocktail Recipe

Let's begin with a classic summer cocktail with a twist. This recipes often uses simple ingredients that burst on your tongue.

Margaritas

Ingredients:  

- Fresh mint leaves (Try spearmint for a less strong taste)

- 60ml white rum  

- 30ml lime juice  

- 2 tsp sugar  

- Club soda  

- Ice  

Instructions:  

1. In a glass, muddle mint leaves with sugar and lime juice.  

2. Fill the glass with ice, pour in rum, and top with club soda.  

3. Garnish with a spearmint sprig.

  

Refreshing Watermelon Cocktails

Watermelon cocktails are undoubtedly a summer favourite! They are incredibly refreshing and perfect for hot days. Plus, they can be easily made with just a few ingredients.

Watermelon Mojito

Ingredients:  

- 2 cups watermelon, pureed  

- 60ml white rum  

- 30ml lime juice  

- Fresh mint leaves (alternatively spearmint leaves for a surprise pairing)

- 30ml simple syrup  

- Ice  

Instructions:  

1. In a tall glass, muddle mint/spearmint leaves and simple syrup.  

2. Add ice, rum, lime juice, and pureed watermelon.  

3. Stir well and garnish with spearmint/mint and a watermelon slice.

  

Unique Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail Recipe

Butterfly pea flower tea has gained popularity in recent years for its stunning blue colour and health benefits. This makes it a perfect ingredient for uniquely bright & memorable summer cocktails.

Butterfly Pea Flower Spritz

Ingredients:  

- 30ml butterfly pea flower tea (brewed and cooled)  

- 90ml sparkling water  

- 30ml limoncello  

- Edible flowers for garnish  

Instructions:  

1. Fill a glass with ice and add limoncello.  

2. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.  

3. Pour in the butterfly pea flower tea and garnish with edible flowers.

 

The Best Herb-Based Cocktails

Herbs can add incredible depth of flavour and originality to summer cocktails. Experimenting with herb-based cocktails not only allows for creativity but also enhances the freshness of the drinks.

The Best Lemon Basil Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:  

- 60ml vodka  

- 30ml lemon juice  

- 30ml simple syrup  

- Fresh basil leaves  

- Ice  

Instructions:  

1. Muddle basil leaves in a shaker.  

2. Add vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice.  

3. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass garnished with a basil leaf.

 

Thyme Lemonade Spritz

Ingredients:

- 60ml gin or vodka

- 30ml fresh lemon juice

- 30ml simple syrup (adjust to taste)

- Fresh thyme sprigs (a few for garnish and some for muddling)

- Club soda

- Lemon slices for garnish

- Ice

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle a few sprigs of fresh thyme with the lemon juice and simple syrup to release the flavours.

2. Add the gin or vodka and fill the shaker with ice. Shake well.

3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.

4. Top with club soda and gently stir.

5. Garnish with additional thyme sprigs and lemon slices.

 

Delicious Mint Cocktails

Mint is a quintessential herb for summer cocktails. Here are two fantastic cocktails to enjoy, feel free to liven it up with peppermint or keep it mellow with spearmint: 

Mint Julep Cocktail

Ingredients:

- Fresh mint leaves

- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or to taste)

- 60ml bourbon

- Crushed ice

- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a sturdy glass or a julep cup, muddle about 10 fresh mint leaves with the sugar, using a muddler or the back of a spoon. This releases the mint oils and combines them with the sugar.

2. Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice.

3. Pour the bourbon over the ice, and stir gently to combine.

4. Top off with more crushed ice, forming a mound on top.

5. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, placing it gently on top.

6. Serve with a straw, and enjoy the refreshing flavour of your mint julep!

Mojito Recipe

Ingredients:

- 60ml white rum

- 30ml fresh lime juice

- 2 teaspoons sugar (or simple syrup)

- Fresh spearmint leaves (about 10 leaves)

- Soda water

- Lime wedges (for garnish)

- Mint sprig (for garnish)

- Crushed ice

Instructions:

1. In a glass, muddle the fresh spearmint leaves with the sugar (or simple syrup) and lime juice to release the mint oils.

2. Fill the glass with crushed ice.

3. Pour the rum over the ice and stir gently to combine.

4. Top off with soda water.

5. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of spearmint.

 

Stay Refreshed this Summer

Don’t wait any longer—visit our website to explore a wide selection of seeds that can help you grow your own mini cocktail garden. Whether you want to impress your friends at a barbecue or simply enjoy the taste and benefits of homegrown ingredients, cultivating your own herbs and edible flowers is a fantastic step. Feel free to change any recipes to non-alcoholic mocktails using your favourite alcohol free spirit, for all ages and tastes. Let this summer be about creativity, flavours and refreshing moments that you create yourself. Start planting today!