What do you associate with summer? Long evenings, barbecues, good conversations with friends or a bike ride to the lake? There are so many things that make summer unique. The memories are made during the warm months that you will cherish during the dark winter.
Of course, every summer brings its own trends. Not only is there always something new to see in terms of fashion, but bartenders around the world are always coming up with unique drinks, especially when it comes to cocktails.
But what characterizes a good summer cocktail?
- fresh ingredients
- inspired by classics from overseas
- fresh reinterpretations
- refreshing and light
- sparkling and sparkling
- looks good
- can also be easily replicated at home
- prepared in no time
If you think back to the cocktail trends of the last few years, it quickly becomes clear why certain long drinks and mixtures have been a huge hit, while others have had to live in the background. Summer cocktails that have what it takes to be a big success rely on a certain coolness factor. This is becoming increasingly important, especially in the age of social media. Of course, it is important how good the cocktail tastes and whether it is popular with a wide range of people, but if the cocktail does not convey a certain flair, its chances of becoming a trend in 2024 are rather slim.
New creations are shared with all friends, acquaintances and family within minutes. This also explains why the most popular summer cocktails have become a big trend in recent years, not just regionally but all over the world. Anyone who treats themselves to a new cocktail creation for the summer in their favorite bar naturally wants to share it with their followers. Thanks to the innovative mobile phone case from MRSÉY, you always have your smartphone to hand and no longer need to worry about missing the perfect snapshot.
Anyone who remembers a true classic of recent years, the Aperol Spritz, will immediately have a certain image of the cocktail in their head. It is the unmistakable orange color that makes this cocktail so unique.
Recognition is therefore particularly important. The question of the name or composition of a drink should not even arise. If the trend of the year is ordered, you know immediately what you are getting. At first glance, it does not seem that easy for bartenders to create a long drink or a cocktail that correctly meets these many requirements. Of course, a certain amount of luck is also involved. Which star was spotted with a certain cocktail or which trendy bar has a new drink on the menu? If certain drinks slowly emerge, it can often happen very quickly. As soon as a trendy magazine reports on it, the cool bars around the world do not hesitate for long and want to have the drink on the menu too. This is where the drink whose ingredients and spirits are available globally has the greatest advantages. Of course, the classics are always adapted a little to the taste of the bar manager or bartender, but in principle the customer knows exactly what he or she is ordering when he or she orders the best summer cocktail for 2024.
The basis for fruity summer cocktails is often wine or sparkling wine. This has the advantage that the drink can be offered at a reasonable price and it is also no problem if the evenings are a little longer. The refreshing character of summer cocktails is also reflected in the volume of the drinks. While particularly "hard" cocktails are based on strong spirits, summer cocktails can also function as thirst quenchers.
Of course, a cocktail can look good in a photo, but ultimately it's the taste that counts. A good cocktail evokes memories. The taste has to be so unmistakable that the first sip takes you back to your last beach vacation. If a cocktail manages to do that, then it definitely has what it takes to become a trend. If you look at the most popular cocktails of the past few years, you'll see that they've managed to stay on the menu for many years after they first appeared. Once you've managed to get into people's heads with your intense flavor nuances and refreshing character, you'll usually be able to stick around. Looking back, there are always certain moments that you associate with a particular summer. Maybe you were able to spend a few lovely days on an island or go on a lovely trip. Maybe you even met the love of your life. Every summer has its own special features, which are best refreshed by throwing yourself into the great adventure. The best way to do this is with a well-made and fresh cocktail in your hand. Then nothing can go wrong.
Refreshing, simple and perfect for 2024
If you fancy a cocktail because the sun is shining mercilessly from the sky, you don't want to wait long for it. This applies to ordering at the bar, but also at home if you want to quickly mix the trendy cocktail yourself. Most of the cocktails below are based on a simple principle. They can be prepared within a few minutes and their simplicity is what makes them taste so good. They are the perfect drinks for in between meals or when friends come to visit unexpectedly.
The Vermouth Highball
This cocktail is based on its intense aromas. If you cycle through Provence, you will come across a new and stimulating scent after every bend. This is exactly what this classic wants to illustrate in a new interpretation. But this highball also clearly shows that the trend is moving towards dry variants. The times when sweetness was the dominant element in a drink seem to be over. Bar visitors are also paying more and more attention to the composition and ingredients of a cocktail. In addition, the tart refreshment goes perfectly with a warm summer day when the crickets are chirping in the background. The vermouth highball does not need many ingredients and these can be adapted very precisely to your own taste by choosing your own favorite varieties. So it is definitely worth experimenting a bit until you find the perfect combination. The best thing to do is invite your best friends over, so the search for the perfect recipe is guaranteed to be great fun.
- 5 cl white vermouth
- 1 cl herbal liqueur
- 10 cl tonic water
The ingredients are simply put into a long drink glass with ice and then decorated as you wish. Orange slices or a sprig of rosemary are particularly suitable because of the flavors. A Mediterranean summer cocktail can be conjured up in no time at all. The ingredients are available almost everywhere and you can create something great in just a few minutes. To enjoy your summer cocktail ice cold, it is important that you always have fresh ice in the freezer at home.
The Gin and Tonic - reinterpreted for summer
What is the gin and tonic doing on the list of the most popular and best summer cocktails? - More than you might initially think. Of course, the G&T has been a classic for many decades. In recent years in particular, there has been a real gin revolution. In almost every good home bar today you can find one or two good bottles of gin. If you've had enough of gin and tonic, you shouldn't just switch to another drink, but consciously try something new. Again, it is the simplicity of this drink that leaves so much scope for creative reinterpretations. The gin itself is a strong and intense carrier of flavors, but perhaps some people have already become too used to the familiar juniper and citrus flavors. If that's the case, then it's a good idea to use the following recipe to change the flavor of the classic. It's easier than you think. All you need is an intense and high-quality liqueur and the classic gin and tonic has a refreshingly new effect. In summer, it is of course a good idea to use a liqueur based on ripe fruit or Mediterranean herbs. This can win over even the most convinced purists.
- 3-4 cl Gin
- 3 cl fruit liqueur of your choice
- 1 cl lemon juice
All ingredients go into a long drink glass or a wine glass that has been filled with plenty of ice beforehand. If you want the herbal aromas to come to the fore a little more, you can decorate with fresh mint. If you hit the back of your hand or the palm of your hand before serving, small amounts of essential oils are released. These give the summer drink a little more fragrance. Here, too, it's worth experimenting a bit. Which gin goes best with which liqueur? You're sure to quickly find a combination that's perfect for hot July days. Of course, you can also talk to the bartender in the bar, as he or she will certainly have one or two insider tips ready.
White Vermouth - the rebirth of a classic
Vermouth is a real cult drink, especially in Italy. It comes in many different versions and almost every region swears by its own regional product. If you want to be at the forefront in 2024, you should jump on the vermouth bandwagon quickly. It can be observed that something similar is currently happening with vermouth as with gin a few years ago. Small and independent manufacturers in particular are entering the market. They attach great importance to the careful selection of the best ingredients. The result is flavor nuances that had been forgotten for a long time. White vermouth varieties are particularly suitable for summer. These are usually dry and therefore offer the greatest possible scope for long drinks and cocktails. The preparation of the following drink is particularly easy because it is based mainly on vermouth as the only ingredient.
- 5 cl white, dry vermouth
- Soda water to refill
For this simple drink, which is perfect as a sundowner in summer, the right temperature is important. The colder the cocktail, the more refreshing it is. It is therefore best to chill the long drink glass or wine glass with lots of ice before preparing it. The larger the ice cubes used in the drink, the less it is diluted. This means that the aromas always remain present in the foreground. With such a simple and straightforward cocktail, colorful decoration is a good idea. This is where the bartender can show all his creativity. The range can go from orange slices to mint to olives. This is an advantage if the vermouth cocktail is to be prepared at home. Then you just use whatever your own kitchen has to offer. It can be that easy.
Rum - the spirit for summer 2024
Rum alone has the potential to make you dream. A single sip of it transports you to the Caribbean. Therefore, there is hardly a spirit that is better suited to summer as a base for cocktails than rum. This is partly due to rum and its many variants, but also to the many recipes that have been created since the 18th century. Summer cocktails with rum for 2024 represent South and Central American passion. They represent nights of dancing, lots of music and the feeling that summer will never end.
Rum classics will play a major role again in 2024. You don't always have to travel when a well-made cocktail can put you in the mood that you can otherwise only find on the streets of Havana.
The Cuba Libre - a true symbol of summer
The Cuba Libre is probably the most famous rum drink of all. Basically, all you need is rum, cola and fresh limes. This drink represents the eventful history of Cuba. This drink has been enjoyed on the island for more than 100 years. It was the Americans who brought cola from the United States to Cuba. There they discovered how refreshing and tasty the combination of rum and the soft drink is. However, it tasted even better when a few eighths of a fresh lime were added to the mixture. This was the birth of a cocktail that can show its many strengths, especially during the summer months.
- 4-6 cl rum
- Cola to refill
- a lime
All ingredients are placed in a long drink glass filled with ice cubes. Then 2-4 eighths of the lime are lightly squeezed over the glass and then added to the glass. If the quality of the rum is right, hardly anything can match the refreshing character of this classic.
The Mojito - the concentrated power of mint
Just as famous as the Cuba Libre is the Mojito. It also comes from Cuba and has a long tradition. The most famous connoisseur of these summer cocktails par excellence is the US writer Ernest Hemingway, who was able to spend the last years of his life on the island in the Caribbean. The Mojito is a cocktail that is designed for pure refreshment. It is a little more complex than the long drink Cuba Libre, but can be mastered quickly even by laypeople. This cocktail stands and falls with the quality of the mint. The Mojito is particularly good when mixed with original Cuban rum. Such a cocktail is much cheaper than a long-distance trip and is also much less stressful. If you are planning an evening with Mojitos or a Cuban theme day, you should buy the ingredients fresh on the same day if possible. The fresher the mint, the stronger the notes of the essential oils will be in the finished drink.
- 6 cl white young rum
- 3 cl lime juice
- 2 cl sugar syrup
- lots of fresh mint
- Soda water or mineral water with a lot of carbonation
Young, i.e. white, rum is deliberately used in the Mojito. This helps to bring out the aromas of the lime and mint. Mature rum would compete too strongly with this with its woody and vanilla aromas. The preparation of the Mojito is simple. The prerequisite for this is a wooden pestle. First, the lime juice, syrup and a few mint leaves are added to the glass. The mint is lightly crushed so that the aromas are released. The glass is then filled with large ice cubes, the rum is poured in and the whole thing is then topped up with soda or mineral water. The glass is decorated with more sprigs of fresh mint.
The Pina Colada - the best of coconut
Some cocktails are a big trend for a year or maybe two. Far too often, however, these trendy drinks disappear even faster than they appeared. With the Pina Colada, you can be sure that this world-famous classic will never disappear from cocktail menus again. The drink is simply too good and far too refreshing. If the Pina Colada is missing, it's not really summer. This exotic cocktail will be a hit again in 2024. It is the most complex cocktail on the list of summer rum cocktails, but with a little practice it can also be mixed in the home bar. If you have the chance to visit a good bar, you should take a look over the shoulder of your trusted bartender. You can pick up a trick or two that way.
- 6 cl rum
- 10 cl pineapple juice
- 2 cl cream
- 2-4 cl Cream of Coconut
The many ingredients and the somewhat more complex preparation should not put you off trying the Pina Colada. As is often the case, preparation is crucial. To make this cocktail to perfection, you need a shaker. Only with a shaker is it possible to make the cocktail creamy.
First, fill a fancy or long drink glass with crushed ice. This can also be easily made at home by crushing ice cubes in a bag. Mix the ice cubes with all the ingredients in a shaker and then shake vigorously and intensely. The longer this process takes, the cooler the cocktail becomes. The cocktail is then strained into the glass. A cocktail cherry and a slice of pineapple are classic decorations.
Alcohol-free - guilt-free fun
Alcohol is not always needed to fully enjoy the summer of 2024. As already described, bar-goers today are paying more attention to the ingredients in a cocktail. If you want to experience the pure taste of summer and still keep a clear head, you can simply choose a variant in 2024 that does not contain alcohol. For a long time, non-alcoholic cocktails have played a secondary role. Too often they were simply interpreted as non-alcoholic versions of the well-known classics. It seems that people have forgotten that the spirit used also contributes significantly to the taste of the finished cocktail.
Those days are over, because the non-alcoholic cocktail is more popular than ever before. The non-alcoholic summer cocktail is no longer an alternative, but a variant in itself. The enjoyment is the same and there is no hangover the next day. For sporty bar-goers who are watching their figure, these cocktails are the best choice.
The mango shot - simple and simply brilliant
This small shot consists of just one ingredient - the mango. Like no other fruit, the mango represents the exotic and the longing for distant places. The sweet temptation has been a true classic for many years and makes a great dessert. In summer 2024, the mango will be enjoyed as a shot for the first time. If the tender pulp is pureed, it becomes very liquid. It can be drunk directly from small shot glasses. It doesn't matter if you look a little deeper into the glass. The mango is rich in many vitamins. If children are sitting at the table, they can raise the glass together with the adults.
- 1 ripe mango
- possibly a pinch of cinnamon
The flesh of the ripe mango is removed and then put into a blender as quickly as possible. If you want the flesh to retain its beautiful, bright color during processing, you should add a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture. This slows down the oxidation and the pureed mixture can be easily stored in the refrigerator. If you like cinnamon, you can sprinkle a pinch of the spice onto the poured mango shot. The mango and the spice, which is actually known from the Christmas season, work perfectly together. The shot works perfectly as an aperitif. It can be served in a champagne glass. The pleasant acidity of the mango stimulates the appetite and prepares the stomach for a real feast.
The summer fresh soda - simple and effective
Syrup and water doesn't sound particularly exciting when you first hear it. But these prejudices are completely unfair. Today's syrups have little in common with the sickly sweet varieties that some people will remember from their childhood. Making syrup is super simple and homemade always tastes better. Even if you don't have the time to make the syrup yourself, you can now rely on a large range of high-quality products. Combined with ice-cold water, a beautiful glass and the right decoration, you can conjure up the perfect refreshment with little effort. The great thing about syrups is that they are denser than water. This means that the colored syrup sinks to the bottom. You only stir the drink shortly before you take the first sip. The summery soda is perfect if you want to rehydrate after a long walk or even a bike ride.
- Lime juice
- Almond syrup, elderberry syrup, grenadine or another syrup of your choice
- Rosemary sprigs, lime slices, berries and pomegranate seeds for decoration
If you want to achieve a particularly beautiful effect, you can put the selected glasses in the freezer for an hour before serving the cocktail. This not only cools the finished drink, but also creates a uniquely beautiful frosted effect. When preparing the soda mix, you first have to pour as cold water as possible into the glass. Then add the desired amount of syrup. You can be creative when decorating the glasses. After all, you drink with your eyes. The design is particularly lovely if you use fruit for decoration, which is also part of the syrup.
The fake coconut - enjoyment like in Bali
Who doesn't dream of lying under palm trees and drinking from a freshly opened coconut? Unfortunately, coconuts aren't always available in our home regions and, because of the long journey, they rarely come close to the freshly harvested varieties. But that's no reason to despair, because with just a few ingredients, the unmistakable taste of coconut water can be imitated.
- 1 cup natural yoghurt
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons coconut powder
Mix the ingredients well until the consistency is creamy. If you prefer it to be more liquid, you can add almond milk or a little water to the mixture. The result is very close to the original. This is mainly due to the coconut powder, which slowly hydrates in the liquid and is therefore very similar to the fresh flesh of a coconut. The finished mixture can easily be kept in the fridge for one to two days. This is a good idea if the homemade coconut drink is to be used as an ingredient in another cocktail.
The Picara Mix - the concentrated power of fresh fruits and berries
Fruit and berries are healthy, every child knows that. Unfortunately, the average person eats far too little of them. With the Picara mix, this problem can be quickly eliminated. It is hard to present fruit in a tastier way than in this non-alcoholic cocktail for 2024. The basic structure for this cocktail, or rather mocktail, is made up of many different types of berries. As is often the case, this drink also offers the option of adapting individual elements as desired. This is particularly useful if you already have some of the ingredients at home.
- Strawberry puree or other berry puree
- fresh mint
- Mandarin puree or the puree of another sweet citrus fruit
- fresh strawberries or other berries for decoration
- Lemon or lime juice
- Herbal syrup (e.g. rosemary)
To prepare this cocktail, you need a blender. Put all the liquid ingredients, a few mint leaves and a handful of crushed ice into it. Then mix everything quickly and as effectively as possible. Make sure that the process does not take too long, otherwise the mixture will get too warm. Once the desired consistency has been achieved, the drink is served in a chilled champagne flute. The Picara mix is decorated with a slice of strawberry and a sprig of mint. In the mouth, as the mixture slowly warms up, the entire flavor spectrum comes to the fore. The sweet notes are in perfect balance with the acidity of the fruit. Simply a dream for special moments.
Non-alcoholic cocktails can be described as one of the big trends for 2024. The days when a drink had to be as strong as possible are finally over. Today, taste is the focus. Bartenders are getting better and better and their creativity is creating cocktails that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. The simpler, the better. But you also have to remember that the fewer ingredients a cocktail has, the better they have to be. Anyone who manages to create something special from a few good ingredients is a true cocktail master.
In times when an order is not complete until it has been photographed and shared with your followers, the presentation of a cocktail is becoming more and more important. The trend will therefore be towards healthy and colourful cocktails that make a good impression no matter what angle they are photographed from.
After all, you always have your own camera with you in the form of your mobile phone. If you use a trendy case from MRSÉY, not only will the cocktail be a real eye-catcher. Crossbody cases are not only extremely practical, but also fashionable and elegant - perfect for your next visit to the beach bar. In summer, people like to move around and are much more active than in the cold winter months. So a case that you can wear over your shoulder can be just the thing if you don't want to constantly think about your smartphone. In the fashionable cross-body case, it is safe and always within reach. This way, you can concentrate better on your trendy summer cocktail. The mobile phone is also much better protected from dust and dirt. This even eliminates the risk of accidentally sitting on it. As with summer cocktails, the simple solution can sometimes be the best.
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