Drinking the summer away

Summer is the best excuse to drink - and drink lots. Well, you have to stay cool, and you have to fight dehydration, right? And what else can you do with these soporific months other than drink them away? Here is a KS guide to some alternative summer drinks — so grab a bucket and come this way.

Of course, bars offer an indefinite variety of drinks, but they come at a price. Mixing drinks at home is cheaper, provides as much variety, gives you a chance to experiment and makes for an interesting theme for parties.
Fancy giving it a go? Well, here are nine drink suggestions to help you cool down on those summer nights and warm up your evenings…

COSMOPOLITAN
Mix vodka, cointreau and cranberry juice

The easiest of the lot and the classiest. The Cosmo combines a smooth sweet taste with a vodka kick which is suitable for the non-beer drinkers amongst us. Bring out your bottles for any dinner gathering or posh night out to show the elegant side in you.

RUSSIANS (BLACK OR WHITE)
Mix Vodka, Kahlua and cream/milk (white) or coke (black)

Are you brave enough to drink it like the Russians take it? Whether you choose black or white, be generous with your vodka part and experience a cocktail with a kick. Can be lethal if you' re a lightweight.

MARGARITA
Mix tequila, triple sec and lime juice

Popular party drink that tends to make fools out of people. Made into a bitter tasting cocktail, and lasting longer than it's shot form counterpart, margaritas are no strangers to the 'making you embarrassed' world. You have been warned.

CLASSIC MARTINI
Mix vodka or gin and vermouth

Saved for special occasions and cocktail parties, the classic martini is just that and very reminiscent of a sultry James Bond night out. Recommended to those with a strong palate, pop an olive in the glass and bob's your uncle.

SLIPPERY NIPPLE
Mix sambuca and baileys

This shooter may not look like a pretty drink on paper but it doesn't taste half bad. Poured using a special technique of baileys then sambuca (baileys is a heavier liquid than sambuca — but enough of the science), knock back in one and proceed to enjoy the rest of the evening.

FLATLINER
Mix sambuca, tequila and Tabasco

A strange recipe if there ever was one but it's worth having a go - especially if you're a spicy Tabasco fan. With the alcohol taking care of the units and the spicy sauce adding the taste, how can you go wrong?

CUBE ROYAL
Mix vodka, raspberry juice, orange juice and champagne

A must for social climbers. Stepping up the class with a touch of champers, vodka adds to the strength and the juices make it more amenable to your taste buds. Fits the bill for any celebration, birthday party or if you're just feeling posh.

SUMMER FRUITS
Mix cranberry juice, raspberry juice and/ mixed berry juice

If you've got a sweet tooth, this is the drink for you. Think of every red berry and place it in the glass in front of you and the summer fruits of, well, summer will be formed. (Well, what did you expect?)

ORANGE SQUEEZE
Mix cranberry juice and orange juice

Giving your glass a light red tint, this is a suitable thirst quencher for those who don't like sugar. A taste of light flavours and a big lump of ice should be enough to make it the refreshment you've been striving.

Text: Naheen Madarbakus