Sip your way through summer with VIVA’s top tipples

In the famous words of Caroline Flack, ‘It’s going to be a long, hot summer…’ Or at least we’d hope so, but when you’re living in the unpredictable climate in Britain,  ‘anything can happen!’

 

If you’ve already dusted off that BBQ and are ready to test out your outdoor furniture that you bought in last year’s summer sales, VIVA has compiled our favourite summer tipples for 2019 that we think you should try for your perfect beverage accompaniment.

 

If you’re ready to transform your summer garden parties and ‘wow’ all your pals with your cocktail mixology skills, then read on…

 

Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice 

 

We’ll kick start our top tipples with Hendrick’s, who have created their ‘Midsummer Solstice’ for summer 2019. This is their FIRST ever summer themed gin, and it’s safe to say they’ve done a pretty good job considering it’s their first time. It’s unmistakably Hendrick’s with their distinct flavour, but this time teamed with an enchanting floral pop.

 

This bright and floral take on Hendrick’s house style makes for the perfect ‘Solstice Spritz’. Served in a large wine glass full of cubed ice, serve as:

• 50ml Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice
• 50ml sparkling wine
• 150ml tonic water
• Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and a slice of orange.

 

Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin is now available at Waitrose (RRP £35) and all good retailers & bars throughout the summer.

 

 

Ciroc Summer Watermelon

As one of the most recognised premium vodkas out there, Ciroc never fails to amaze with their limited edition specials. This year, Ciroc have crafted their fruity ‘summer watermelon’ edition that is bursting with fresh and fruity aromas, presented in an extremely aesthetically pleasing red frosted bottle. To create the insanely instagramable ‘Ciroc Watermelon Spritz’ like in the photo below, this is what you’ll need:

• 40ml CÎROC Summer Watermelon Vodka
• 20ml Lemonade
• 40ml Soda
• 10ml Cranberry
• Serve over ice in a tall glass Garnish with a lime wheel, fresh watermelon wheel and a sprig of fresh mint

Ciroc Summer Watermelon prices at £39 RRP and can be purchased from all good retailers.

 

Aperol

Although, it’s not limited edition and it’s not something that we’ve never seen before, there’s no denying that Aperol is quite frankly a summer essential that we NEEDED to feature on our summer tipple essentials. Bright orange in colour, Aperol – an Italian aperitif – has a light, refreshing bitter-sweet taste deriving from a secret recipe that has remained unchanged for almost 100 years. An Aperol Spritz is the perfect drink to start your evening in true Italian stlye. It’s simple to recreate- just follow the 50:50 recipe to create the perfect drink at home.

• fill the glass with ice cubes and add 60ml of prosecco
• Pour 60ml Aperol over the top
• Add 25ml of soda and garnish with a slice of orange

Aperol prices at RRP £17 and is available from all good retailers.

 

Sipsmith Orange & Cacao

Sipsmith’s Orange & Cacao gin is the perfect addition to your summer alcohol cabinet. With notes of zesty orange combined with hints of rich dark chocolate, Sipsmith still ensure that gin is the underlying flavour of their spirit, which can sometimes be forgotten within flavoured gins. By adding 50% more juniper berries to this flavoured gin, this delicious tipple is balanced and versatile just like Sipsmith London Dry Gin, providing a full flavoured, juniper-forward alternative to sweet and fruity gin liqueurs. And to add to that, Sipsmith are on top of their game at the moment, launching on-the-go cans just in time for those summer months!

If you want to have a go at creating an Orange & Cacao White Lady, here’s how:

• 50ml of Orange and Cacao Sipsmith
• 20ml Lemon Juice
• Egg White
• 10ml Gomme/ Sugar Syrup

Shake all together in a cocktail shaker without ice. Add ice and shake again. Strain into glass and garnish. Sipsmith Orange & Cacao Sipsmith retails at £25 per bottle and £3 per can.

 

Copper Dog Whiskey

It might not be a special summer edition special, but Copper Dog whiskey have proven their versatility to contend as a summer tipple, despite most associating the spirit with winter. Here to change the stereotype, Copper Dog is a unique blend of eight single malts, born at the Craigellachie hotel in Speyside, Scotland.  The whisky itself, leads with fruity flavours that move through fresh, orchard, dried and citrus, and with hints of vanilla and aromatic spices, as drinkable neat or with water as it is with cola or in a cocktail.

For a summery tipple, combine Copper Dog with Frobishers apple juice and garnish with a slice of apple for the delicately refreshing drink. Copper Dog retails at £29.95 and can be purchased from all good retailers.

 

Firebox Pixie Tears

Well, wowee!! When I first saw this tipple, I was immediately obsessed. The shimmery green spirit, better known as Pixie Tears, is hypnotizing as it swirls around the bottle when shaken. Infused with elderflower and cucumber, their Pixie Garden cocktail is light, refreshing and darn-right delicious. This would be the perfect summer gift for any BBQ parties or summer events you might be hosting, and will sure fascinate your guests! Here’s how to create your Pixie Garden cocktail:

• 50ml Pixie Tears
• 75ml of cloudy apple
• Juice of half a lemon
• Cucumber to garnish

Pixie Tears retail at £40 from John Lewis and Firebox.

Zymurgorium Flagingo Pink Gin

Manchester’s very own gin distillery, Zymurgorium, have launched their summer special ‘Flagingo’ which boasts tropical Caribbean flavours bursting with mango, pineapple passion fruit, all-spice and ginger. Sipping on this summer special, Zymurgorium transport us from the rainy concrete Manchester summer, to relaxing among golden sands and crystal-clear waters. If a spirit could mirror a season, then Zymurgorium Flagingo have hit the nail on the head representing summer.

Koko Kanu 

 

Let Koko Kanu – the finest premium Jamaican white rum with coconut flavour – transport you overseas. With a subtle blend of the finest white aged Jamaican rums and refreshing tropical coconut flavour, it is the original spirit of exotic adventure. The rum is aged for a minimum of one year and then charcoal filtered to achieve the crystal-clear colour. Just try in the Koko Kolada, a light contemporary twist on the traditional Pina Colada, for a taste of escapism. RRP: £19.65

 

 

Patro?n Silver tequila

 

This is the perfect ultra-premium white spirit. Using only the finest 100 percent Weber Blue Agave, it is handmade in small batches to be smooth, soft and easily mixable. Each bottle is individually crafted by a glass artisan using mostly recycled glass and is hand-numbered. This light, crystal clear tequila with fresh agave aromas and hints of citrus is a favourite of tequila
connoisseurs worldwide.  Patrón Silver is an incredibly versatile spirit and can be used in place of vodka, gin or white run to mix flawlessly into almost any cocktail and provide a contemporary twist on a classic. SSP: 70cl £44.99; 35cl £25.00. Stockists include:  70cl: Waitrose, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, The Whisky Exchange; 35cl: Sainsbury’s.