Our Favourite Summer Cocktails to Make for the Holidays
While our friends above the equator embrace the much needed warmth of mulled wine and cozy winter drinks, here in Australia we’re gearing up for a sun-soaked holiday season filled with vibrant, refreshing and fun cocktails. Swapping out the snow for sandy beaches and the chill for a tropical breeze, here are some of our favourite summer cocktails, and a mocktail, that are perfect for the Aussie holiday season.
Aussie Mango Mojito
First up is the ever popular Aussie Mango Mojito that captures the essence of summer in a glass. Freshly diced mango mixed with mint, a splash of lime juice, and a generous pour of white rum create a truly refreshing combination of flavours. We always recommend serving over ice with an added sprig of mint, it’s no wonder that it’s so popular. Here’s our favourite version, courtesy of Dan Murphy’s:
15ml sugar syrup
25mL lime juice
1/3 cup chopped mango
5–8 mint leaves
50mL rum
Garnish: mint sprig & skewered mango slices
Top with soda water
Sydney Sling
Another popular favourite since it was launched in 2014 at the Opera Bar is the Sydney Sling. A lighter tipple than its famous counterpart, the Singapore Sling, the latest iterations of the local version are a must try. If you’re around The Rocks this holiday season, pop into the Opera Bar to try their updated version. We have to credit the Fullerton Hotel Sydney, with this version of the Sydney Sling that we love, below, having come across it listed in Asia Bars.
45ml gin
45ml orange juice
15ml elderflower liqueur
20ml ginger juice
25ml fresh lime juice
10ml Grenadine
20ml sugar syrup
Pavlova Cocktail
Everyone loves our iconic Aussie dessert the Pavlova, so why not follow through with a cocktail inspired by this Antipodean classic, the Pavlova Punch. There seem to be as many versions of the cocktail as there are variations of toppings for the pavlova, but here’s our favourite to get the party started, thanks to Fleur at Polka Dot Wedding:
30ml cream
10ml Creme De Cacao
5ml Strawberry liqueur
10ml Apricot Liqueur
10 ml passionfruit pulp
One fresh strawberry chopped into small pieces
Meringue to garnish, Ice
Mulled Wine Mocktail
Of course, while everyone in the northern hemisphere is relishing mulled wine, we’ve found a cold version that’s perfectly refreshing for summer while being alcohol free. It’s a firm favourite with everyone and can always include a dash of your favourite tipple for that extra zing if you feel the need to add alcohol. Here’s our favourite alcohol free version from an old 2015 Christmas Women’s Weekly recipe:1 cup Red Grape Juice
1/2 strip orange rind
1/2 tablespoon light brown sugar
1/4 cinnamon stick
1 Clove1 Bay leaf
Sprig of Thyme, Ice
Whether you’re hosting a party or simply enjoying the summer holidays with good friends, these Aussie summer cocktails are so festive and refreshing, they really are worth a try.
So let’s all raise a glass to a holiday season filled with sunshine, smiles and summery sips!
Featured Image: Asia Bars
See easy Cocktail Recipes at: 6 Easy Cocktail Recipes to Try
