6 stylish cocktails to cheer happy hour

In tune with the seasons, much like wearing fewer layers and lighter fabrics to stay cool, tastes change and so do our warm weather drinks rituals.

After months of muddling and garnishing with evergreen herbs and rustling up spicy recipes, it’s time to forage for fresh flavours, zingy notes of citrus to perk up the palate, and lighter thirst-quenchers.

From the simplicity of three ingredients, to the crisp, refreshing notes of gently spiced ginger, time to reach for a cocktail shaker, long bar spoon, quality ice cubes and start clinking al fresco…

1. Spring Garden Spritz

With creamy elderflower blossoms coming into bloom next month, the fragrant notes of Fentimans Gently Sparkling Elderflower (£2.80, 75cl, Ocado) promises a perfect start to the evening.

Recipe: 25ml Elderflower Liqueur, 75ml prosecco, 75ml Fentimans Gently Sparkling Elderflower. Cucumber ribbon and a sprig of mint to garnish.

Method: Half-fill a large wine glass with ice. Add the liqueur, then the prosecco and top with sparkling elderflower. Gently stir and garnish with a cucumber ribbon and sprig of mint.

2. Cuban Paloma by Ron Santiago De Cuba

If you fancy calling time on the classic Paloma (Mexican cocktail made with tequila), this Cuban version with Ron Santiago De Cuba Carta Blanca Rum (£22.95, 70cl, The Whisky Exchange), is right on cue with the sweet-sharp sweetness of pink grapefruit for a vibrant sundowner.

Ingredients: 50ml Ron Santiago de Cuba Carta Blanca, 25ml fresh lime juice, 5ml agave syrup, 100ml pink grapefruit soda. Tajin (seasoning) to garnish and rim the glass.

Method: Rim a chilled highball glass with Tajin. Half fill with ice and add the rum, lime juice and syrup. Stir slowly and top with pink grapefruit soda.

3. Elijah Craig Berry Buck

Rich, fruity bourbon with sweet, woody accents such as Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (£46.75, 70cl, The Whisky Exchange), seems to be a natural pairing with the sweet, slightly bitter flavours of blackberry liqueur… and this oh-so sophisticated serve is brilliantly balanced.

Ingredients: 37.5ml Elijah Craig, 12.5ml blackberry liqueur, 2 lemon wedges squeezed, ginger ale. Blackberry and mint sprig to garnish.

Method: Half fill a high-ball with ice. Add the bourbon, raspberry liqueur, and lemon juice. Stir slowly and top with ginger ale. Garnish with a blackberry and mint sprig.

4. Trevethan French 75

Gin cocktails come and go, but the true classics stand the test of time… and you can’t beat the juniper-rich notes with hints of pine and citrus in Trevethan 1929 Dry Gin (£38, £29.50 Nectar price, Sainsbury’s), to boost those brilliant bubbles.

Ingredients: 35ml Trevethan 1929 Dry Gin, 15ml fresh lemon juice, 15ml simple syrup, 60ml champagne or sparkling wine. Lemon twist to garnish.

Method: Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice and syrup, shake well and and strain into a chilled flute. Top with champagne or sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon twist.

5. Pantalones Mom Jeans Cocktail

Fun wordplay on what has become a much-loved denim staple, Hollywood actor and producer Matthew McConaughey is behind this multi award-winning tequila… and a jewel from Jalisco. Spanish for pants, Pantalones Tequila Blanco (£43, 70cl, Master of Malt) is silky smooth, and combines sweet, honeyed notes with cooked agave, and twist of pepper on the tail.

Here’s the recipe to get your tequila fix…

Ingredients: 45ml PantalonesTequila Blanco, 110ml grapefruit soda, 50ml champagne. Sugar to rim the glass.

Method: Wet the rim of a highball glass with a lime wedge or water. Dip in white granulated sugar to coat the rim. Half-fill with ice and add the tequila and grapefruit soda. Stir slowly and top with champagne. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit.

6. Fielden Whisky Ginger

A delicious introduction to England’s rich flavour map, Fielden Rye Whisky (£55, 70cl, Fielden), is a spicy amber beauty featuring floral and fruity notes with bready flavours, nuts, and spices in the mix. Bold with caramel lingering on the finish, this English rye and ginger makes a feisty highball.

Ingredients: 50ml Fielden Rye Whisky, dash of lemon juice, ginger ale. Lemon wedge or slice to garnish.

Method: Half-fill a highball glass with ice, add the whisky and lemon juice. Top with ginger ale and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon wedge or slice.

Let’s raise a glass to springtime socials!