It’s the summertime, and the weather is fine! What better occasion to whip up some stunning summer cocktails to impress your guests, complement a meal, or have some fun? This short guide will give you the complete run-down on some superb summer cocktails.

Aviation

When made correctly, Aviation can command attention from the room. A flavourful masterpiece; packed with floral notes and dashes of cherry, violet, and lemon - all working together to create a unique and mellow experience. If you’re looking to host your own garden party, this is where you want to start.

There’s only one problem when it comes down to ingredients…the crème de violette. This single addition brings the whole drink together, in both flavour and vision! You can go ahead and make it without - some people have gone as far as to forget it altogether - but we at Urban Bar prefer the original recipe!

Ingredients and Recommendations

2 Ounces of Gin (Recommended brand)
¼ Ounce of Maraschino Liqueur (Recommended brand)
¼ Ounce of Crème de Violette (Recommended brand)
½ Ounce of Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
Lemon (for the peel)

Bartender’s Guide

Chill your Coupe glass with ice
Pour all ingredients into a shaker, filled with ice
Shake for around 15 seconds or until the shaker is really cold
Slowly double strain the drink into your glass. We have the perfect product range available here.  
Flame the lemon peel, resting it over the rim of the glass 

Jungle Bird

One of the best summer-rum cocktails around, Jungle Bird is designed to take you on the tropical-taste journey of your life. Originating from Kuala Lumpur, it will lure you in with a unique garnish and then greet you with a boldness that can’t be matched

All of the fruity flavours in this cocktail blend perfectly with the dark rum. The true secret to the mixture, however, is Campari. The bitterness of the Campari is what adds the final punch to the drink - giving it uniqueness outside of its wild garnish.

Ingredients and Recommendations

1 ½ Ounce Dark Rum (Recommended brand)
¾ Ounce Campari
1 ½ Ounce Pineapple Juice
½ Ounce Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
A wedge of Pineapple and a Maraschino Cherry, all for the garnish!

Bartender’s Guide

Add your ingredients to your ice-filled shaker: The Dark Rum, Campari, Pineapple, and Lime juice. You can also add some syrup.
Shake for around 15 seconds or until the shaker is really cold- Get a nice froth on top
Double strain slowly into an Old Fashioned Glass. Pour over ice.
Create the garnish:
- Slide your wedge of pineapple onto the side of the glass.
- Place the cherry on top and attach it to the pineapple

Tom Collins

If you're looking to keep things fancy and classic, we would recommend this as your drink to serve. A tall cocktail, sure to delight your taste buds, with a refreshing yet sour combination.

Most Tom Collins should be made with certain gins, such as Old Tom Gin, Plymouth Gin, or Holland Gin. Others will of course be suitable, and we’ll make sure to include our own choice below! 

A fun fact about Tom Collins: a handful of sources state the drink as first having the name of John Collins. The name we know today, however, was the one originally printed in “Bon Vivant’s Companion” in 1877.

Ingredients and Recommendations

2 Ounces of Gin (Recommended Brand, outside of above mentioned)
1 Ounce of Lemon Juice
½ Ounce of Simple Syrup, preferably with a 2:1 ratio
3 Ounces of Club Soda, but you can adjust this to taste. Seltzer also works here.
A slice of Lemon for the Garnish

Bartender’s Guide

Fill a Collins (Highball) glass with ice
Proceed to add the Gin, Juice, and Syrup to the glass
Stir thoroughly to ensure consistency in flavour
Fill the glass with Club Soda
Rest your lemon slice on top of the glass.

Images: Jag_cz, Celso Pupo / Shutterstock.com