Summer drinks recipes: Fruity cocktails spiked with loads of herbs and spices are the flavour of the season

Current cocktail trends are all about embracing fresh, vibrant ingredients and innovative twists, with a noticeable shift towards low-alcohol drinks. Bartenders are increasingly using fresh herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary to infuse their creations with aromatic and refreshing notes, while floral ingredients such as elderflower and hibiscus are gaining popularity for their delicate flavors. Beyond herbs, spicy and savoury elements like jalapeños, chili peppers, ginger, tomato, and cucumber are being used to add intriguing depth and complexity to drinks.

Exotic fruits such as pineapple, mango, passion fruit, and dragon fruit are also making a splash, lending their tropical sweetness to create exciting and fruity cocktails. These dynamic ingredients are redefining the cocktail scene, offering a fresh and flavorful experience for enthusiasts. According to Rajesh Kumar, Director of F & B Service at the Heritage Village Resorts and Spa, Manesar, “There are number of fruity cocktails that can be made using classic cocktail methods for summer. Some popular examples are - Mango colada (a creamy cocktail made of using mango puree, coconut cream, pineapple juice and white rum), Strawberry daiquiri (a fruity refreshing cocktail with lots of strawberries, lime juice and white rum), Lychee martini (a silky fruity cocktail made by using Gin, vermouth lemon juice and lychee and Passion Fruit caprioska (a mix of passion fruit and lime pair with vodka).”

For your house parties or get-togethers, presenting cocktails effectively involves a combination of visual appeal, creativity, and practicality. Kumar suggests some tips to enhance the experience for DIY cocktails, “Use appropriate glassware for each type of cocktail. The right glass enhances both the visual appeal and the drinking experience. Make use of garnishes to add colour and visual interest for the cocktails. Use fresh herbs, citrus twists, edible flowers, and fruits to complement the flavours and enhance the look of the drink. If you are willing to take a step forward, use elements like smoke, dry ice, and flame to create a memorable experience for guests. Add a special touch with moulded ice and logos, glass rims with salt, sugar, spices, or even coloured sprinkles.”

As summer is the best season to make mango cocktails, Kumar shares two DIY cocktail recipes to try at home.

Spicy Mango Margarita:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• Fresh mango chunks, 300 gm
• Silver tequila, 120 ml
• Triple sec (orange liqueur), 60 ml
• Freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes), 60 ml
• Simple syrup (to taste), 15 ml
• Salt for rimming the glass
• Lime wedges for garnish and ice

Instructions: Prepare the glasses by running a lime wedge around the rim of your margarita glasses. Dip the rim of each glass into salt to coat. Set aside. Now blend the Margarita in a blender by combineing the mango chunks, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup. Blend until smooth. Add ice to the blender to reach desired consistency. Fill the prepared glasses with ice, pour the mango margarita mixture into the glasses. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.

Mangotini

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• Vodka, 120 ml
• Fresh mango puree, 600 ml
• Triple sec (orange liqueur), 30 ml
• Freshly squeezed lime juice (about half a lime), 15 ml
• Mango slice or lime wheel for garnish and ice
• Jalapeno- one slice

Instructions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, mango puree, triple sec, jalapeno slice and lime juice to the shaker. Shake vigorously until well chilled, about 15-20 seconds. Strain and serve the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of mango or a lime wheel on the rim of the glass. Serve immediately.