Summertime is the perfect opportunity for me to learn how to make cocktails. We have a well stocked bar to create an assortment of concoctions but I don’t know where to start and the idea of whipping out bar utensils seem a lot of work- it immediately puts me off. But I’m pretty determined to get into it this summer to beat the heat and to have an excuse to get together with friends on a weekend afternoon.

I invited my friend over to help me create summer cocktails using my favorite seasonal fruits for a refreshing treat. These recipes are straightforward and easy to make but yields amazing results, it was very difficult to pin point a favorite. In order to yield a perfect result, it all comes down to using premium-quality alcohol.

Here are 3 summer cocktail recipes that are the right libation for any kind of celebration this season.

WATERMELON KISS

Recipe:

1 oz premium vodka

1 oz melon liquer such as Midori

2 oz cranberry juice

A dash of grenadine

A dash of angostura bitters or lime juice

Place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake over ice and strain into a tall ice filled glass.

MELON BALL

Recipe:

1.5 oz Absolut Mango

0.5 oz melon liquer such as Midori

3 oz pineapple juice

Dash of angostura bitters

Frozen melon balls

Pour all the liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake the Absolut mango, pineapple juice and bitters with ice and strain into a high ball ice filled glass. Pop a few melon balls in as a garnish.

PINEAPPLE PASSION

Recipe:

2 oz pineapple juice

2 oz passion fruit juice

1 oz bacardi gold rum

1 oz dark rum

Juice of half a lime

Dash of grenadine

1 hollowed pineapple (optional)

Shake passion fruit juice, pineapple juice, rums and lime juice over ice and pour into an ice filled glass or a hollowed out ice filled pineapple. Splash grenadine over the top and serve. If the cocktail is too sweet add more lime juice. If you do not enjoy citrus replace the 0.5 oz of lime juice with 2-3 dashes of angostura bitters.

Kickstart your weekend right by trying out these cocktail!