Twist and Shake: Summer 2023 cocktail inspiration

Summer is in full swing, and it doesn’t get much better than sipping on some cocktails in the sunshine.

PROOF Insight recently found that 1 in 4 under-35s are drinking less often but treating themselves to better quality when they are out – a great opportunity to entice people into your venues with some tasty serves. 

Get inspired for your summer cocktail lists with some of Matthew Clark’s top picks.  

Summer of Spritz  

According to research from PROOF Insight, 5% of customers say they would drink a spritz cocktail when moderating their alcohol intake. Our love for spritz serves in the summer shows no sign of slowing down, with many bars now creating a separate spritz menu to entice customers looking for refreshment in the sunshine.  

Lemon Spritz  

50ml Limoncello
75ml Prosecco
25ml Soda water 
Ice cubes
Half slice of lemon
Sprig of mint 

Fill a large long-stemmed wine glass with ice cubes. Pour in Prosecco, lime, soda water and stir well. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint. 

Elderflower Spritz  

25ml Elderflower liqueur 
20ml Gin 
90ml Prosecco 
35ml Soda water 
Fresh lime 

Fill a tumbler glass with ice. Add elderflower liqueur, gin and prosecco. Top with soda water and garnish with sliced lime. 

Tequila, Tequila  

Mexican cuisine is already popular in the UK and is currently eaten regularly by 1 in 3 under 45s. 30% of under 45s already enjoy tequila in cocktails and as a shot, and 1 in 10 enjoy it mixed with tonic.   

Tommy’s Margarita  

50ml Tequila Blanco 
25ml Fresh lime juice 
12.5ml Agave syrup 
Salt for rim (Optional) 
Lime wedge 

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add ingredients, shake and pour into a rocks glass with a salt rim and filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge. 

Pink Grapefruit Paloma  

25ml Tequila Blanco 
25ml Pink grapefruit juice 
15ml Lime juice 
10ml Agave syrup 
Pink grapefruit soda 

Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker – minus the pink grapefruit soda. Shake and strain over ice in a highball glass. Top up with pink grapefruit soda and stir. Garnish with a slice of fresh pink grapefruit. 

More summer serves  

Sometimes you just want something fun and refreshing to add to that summer feeling. Check out some of our picks below.  

Piña Colada  

50ml Spiced Rum  
75ml Pineapple juice 
25ml Coconut cream 

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with a slice of fresh pineapple. 

Summer Lemonade  

60ml London Dry Gin 
20ml Lemon juice 
20ml Agave syrup 
1 Fresh Passionfruit 
50ml Lemonade 

Blend all ingredients except lemonade without ice. Strain to remove passionfruit seeds. Add two handfuls of crushed ice to blended mixture. Blend to a granita texture. Serve in a Copa glass and top up with 50ml lemonade. 

Passionfruit Martini 

60ml Vanilla vodka 
30ml Passionfruit liqueur  
12.5ml Vanilla syrup 
20ml Lime juice 
Prosecco  
1 passionfruit – cut in half 

Scoop the seeds from half a passionfruit into a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, passionfruit liqueur, lime juice and vanilla syrup. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with the other half of passionfruit. Serve with shot of prosecco on the side.  

Here at Matthew Clark, we can help you develop seasonal or year-round drinks lists, helping to promote your drinks products, increase footfall and give customers the best experience. Not only can we provide a complete drinks menu design service, but we can also show you how to maximise your profits with the design of your list.

Contact Us Today | Matthew Clark

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