Spice, Citrus & Everything Nice: 7 Summer Cocktail Recipes

Summer calls for vibrant flavors, chilled sips, and cocktails that transport you to paradise with every glass. Whether you crave a tropical escape, a spicy kick, or a smooth, elegant highball, these five cocktails are perfect for sun-soaked days and breezy evenings. From tequila-infused magic to a whisky delight, get ready to sip your way through the season with these stunning summer cocktail recipes!

Spicy & Bold: #PicanteDelSol

For those who love a little fire in their cocktail, the Picante Del Sol brings the perfect balance of heat and citrusy refreshment. Inspired by the famous Picante Passion, this tequila-based drink is summer’s ultimate spicy indulgence.

Ingredients:

• Patron Reposado 60ml
• Fresh lime juice 20ml
• Agave syrup 15ml
• Jalapeño slices 3
• Fresh coriander leaves 8
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. Muddle jalapeño slices and coriander leaves in a shaker.
2. Add tequila, lime juice, agave syrup, and ice.
3. Shake well and strain into an old-fashioned glass with fresh ice.
4. Garnish with a red chili for a striking look.

Glassware: Old Fashioned Garnish: Red chili

Classic & Smooth: #PaperPlaneCocktail

A modern classic with a perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and citrussy notes, the Paper Plane cocktail is a refined yet approachable bourbon-based drink. Inspired by the golden age of cocktails, this vibrant concoction is both stylish and effortlessly smooth.

Ingredients:

• Weller Special Reserve Bourbon 30ml
• Aperol 30ml
• Amaro Nonino 30ml
• Fresh lemon juice 30ml
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a coupe glass.

Glassware: Coupe

Tropical Heatwave: #MangoChiliRush

If mango and chili are your idea of a dream pairing, this Bacardi-based cocktail is a must-try. The juicy sweetness of mango, the zing of lime, and the fiery heat of chili create a drink that’s bold, fun, and effortlessly tropical.

Ingredients:

• Bacardi Mango Chili 50ml
• Fresh lime juice 25ml
• Simple syrup 15ml
• Fresh mango cubes 4
• Sliced red chili (adjust for spice level) 4
• Ice cubes

Mixology Magic:

1. Muddle mango cubes and chili slices in a shaker.
2. Add Bacardi Mango Chili, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice.
3. Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a fresh mango slice and chili ring.

Glassware: Rocks glass Garnish: Mango slice and chili ring

The Whisky Highball Reinvented: #Dewar’sGoldenFizz

For whisky lovers who want a light and fizzy option, the Dewar’s Golden Fizz is a sophisticated yet easygoing summer drink. The smooth, honeyed notes of DEWAR’S 12 Year Old meet the crisp brightness of citrus and ginger, making it a highball to remember.

How to Craft It:

• 50ml DEWAR’S 12 Year Old
• 25ml fresh lemon juice
• 15ml honey syrup
• 100ml soda water
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Ice cubes

Mixology Magic:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice and pour in Dewar’s 12.
2. Add lemon juice, honey syrup, and bitters.
3. Top with soda water and gently stir.
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of mint.

Glassware: Highball Garnish: Lemon wheel and mint sprig

Cool & Refreshing: #BerryBasilSpritz

Bright berries, fresh basil, and a splash of fizz make this cocktail the ultimate summer refresher. It’s light, fruity, and the perfect drink to sip under the sun.

How to Craft It:

• 50ml Patrón Silver
• 25ml fresh lime juice
• 20ml simple syrup
• 4 fresh strawberries
• basil leaves
• 100ml soda water
• Ice cubes

Mixology Magic:

1. Muddle strawberries and basil in a shaker.
2. Add tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice. Shake well.
3. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and top with soda water.
4. Garnish with a basil sprig and a strawberry slice.

Glassware: Tall glass Garnish: Basil sprig and strawberry slice

Yuzu Sour Whiskey Cocktail

Recipe by Madhumita Maltesh, Executive Mixologist, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru

This Yuzu Sour cocktail offers a unique twist on the classic whisky sour. It combines smooth whisky with the citrusy flavors of yuzu and lime. The addition of egg white lends a silky texture; the dehydrated caramelized orange zest garnish gives a sophisticated touch to your night.

Ingredients:

•  Japanese Whisky 60 ml
• Yuzu Pure 15ml
• Fresh lime juice 10 ml
• Fresh egg white 15ml
• Dehydrated and caramelized orange zest (Garnish)

Method:

1. Prep the glass: Take a rock glass and drop in a block of ice; the block of ice enhances the drink by maintaining a consistent temperature for a longer, smoother and flavorful experience.
2. Mix the cocktail: Pour 60 ml of your favourite whisky. The mixologist recommends using Japanese whiskey for a balanced flavor of sweet and fruity notes. Add 15 ml of Yuzu pure and 10 ml fresh lime juice for a citrus kick. For a silky texture add 15 ml of fresh egg white.
3. Shake and blend: Combine all the above ingredients in a shaker along with ice first and then without. Strain and pour the blend into your glass.
4. Garnish: Garnish your drink with dehydrated and caramelized orange zest and enjoy your elegant drink!

Whis-Gal Cocktail

Recipe by Mr. Deewakar Mehra, Head Mixologist at Loya, Taj West End, Bengaluru

For whiskey lovers with a taste for the unexpected, Whis-Gal is a smooth, layered cocktail that bridges warmth and brightness. Crafted with cinnamon-infused bourbon, a touch of honey, zesty lemon, and topped with a delicate Gal-Gal foam, it’s a bold yet refined expression—perfect for slow sipping or impressing your guests.
A modern whiskey cocktail with a citrusy soul—Whis-Gal is your go-to for rich yet playful evenings.

Ingredients:

• Cinnamon-Infused Bourbon 60 ml
• Honey 10 ml
• Lemon Juice 15 ml
• Gal-Gal Foam For Garnish
• Edible Flower For Garnish

Method: Shaken

1. In a cocktail shaker, add bourbon, honey, and lemon juice.
2. Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.
3. Top with Gal-Gal foam and garnish with an edible flower.

Cheers to a Refreshing Summer!

Whether you’re in the mood for tropical fruitiness, bold spice, or a crisp highball, these cocktails are your perfect summer companions. Gather your friends, mix up these vibrant drinks, and toast to long sunny days, breezy nights, and unforgettable summer memories. Cheers!