Cocktail Trends for Summer: Best Summer Cocktails

Summer is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate sunny days than with a few summer cocktails expertly mixed in a cocktail shaker and sipped from crystal cocktail glasses! 

Whatever your preference, be it a whiskey cocktail, gin cocktail, vodka cocktail, or prosecco cocktail, having a cocktail set ready to shake and make drinks never fails to impress. 

If you’re planning a cocktail party and looking for cocktail recipes and the latest fresh cocktail and cocktail trends, NUDE’s here to help! 

From a Negroni cocktail to a classic margarita cocktail, here’s our rundown of hot cocktail trends!

Fresh Cocktails for Summer  

Embrace the sunshine, gather friends, and impress visitors with your mixology skills by serving a range of incredible, cool, and refreshing cocktails.  

Cocktail trends come and go, but exciting fresh cocktails and modern twists on classics are the rage this year.  

Here’s a rundown on how to make, serve, and present the best refreshing summer cocktails. 

Cooling Frozen Margarita Recipe 

Margaritas are a well-loved classic, but this frozen margarita recipe twists the traditional by combining the punch of tequila with the freshness of summer fruits and mint.  

Perfect Glass: NUDE Vintage Margarita Glasses 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz Tequila 
• 1 oz Triple Sec or Orange Liqueur 
• 1 oz Fresh Orange Juice 
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice 
• 1 oz Pineapple Juice 
• 6 Fresh Mint Leaves 
• Dash of Simple Syrup (To Taste) 
• Salt and Lime Wedge (To Rim the Glass) 

Method: 

1. Start by rubbing the lime wedge around the NUDE Margarita Glass and placing it rim-side down on a plate to salt. When lifted, you’ll have the iconic margarita salt-crusted rim. 
2. Place the mint leaves at the bottom of a cocktail shaker and muddler with the pineapple juice to release the minty taste and aroma. 
3. Add the tequila, triple sec, simple syrup, and remaining fruit juices. Now, top the shaker with ice. 
4. Seal the shaker and shake well for around 20 seconds to ensure all the ingredients are cooled and well-mixed. 
5. Fill the glass with ice (ideally crushed). Strain and pour the contents from the shaker into the glass. 
6. Serve with a sprig of mint or lime wedge for added fres
   
   

Fresh Basil Gimlet Recipe

If you like gin, follow this fresh basil gimlet recipe to create the perfect summertime cocktail! The enticing botanicals in gin are infused with the freshness of basil and citrus, making a memorable beverage ideal for sunset drinks or a sunny  lunch.  

Perfect Glass: NUDE Vintage Margarita glasses 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz Gin 
• ¾ oz Simple Syrup 
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice 
• 8 Fresh Basil Leaves 
• Lime Zest Twirl for Garnish 

Method: 

1. Release the taste and aroma of the basil by mashing and muddling the leaves with the simple syrup at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. 
2. Add the gin and lime juice, and top the shaker with ice. 
3. Shake vigorously to ensure the ingredients are well combined. 
4. Strain the shaker contents over ice into the NUDE Vintage Martini Glass. 
5. Serve your Fresh Basil Gimlet with the lime zest twirl. 

The Red Sweetheart: Watermelon Daiquiri Recipe 

Embrace summer's bright colors and flavors with a long, refreshing watermelon daiquiri! This vibrant rum watermelon daiquiri recipe is ideal for serving on hot sunny days or at backyard barbeques!  

Perfect Glass: NUDE Highball Glasses 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz White Rum 
• 1 cup Fresh Seedless Watermelon (cubed) 
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice 
• ½ oz Simple Syrup 
• Watermelon Slice for Garnish 

Method: 

1. Blend the watermelon cubes until smooth. 
2. Put the white rum, simple syrup, lime juice, and 2 oz of blended watermelon into a shaker. Add ice. 
3. Shake well for 20 seconds to combine. 
4. Strain and serve in a chilled NUDE Highball Glass with a watermelon wedge at the rim for garnish.  

Elegant in Every Way: Aperol Spritz Recipe 

The quintessential summer cocktail, Aperol Spritz, remains on trend in 2024. Easy to mix and pour, the best Aperol Spritz recipe serves the perfect blend of bitter, sweet, and sparkly – give this one a try this summer!  

Perfect Glass: NUDE Wine Glass 

Ingredients: 

• 3 oz Aperol 
• 3 oz Prosecco 
• 1 oz Club Soda 
• Ice 
• Orange Slice for Garnish 

Method: 

1. Fill the NUDE Wine Glass with ice. 
2. Add the Aperol and sparkling prosecco, then top up with soda. 
3. Stir gently, garnish with a thin orange slice, and serve. 

Superstar for your Party: Chi Chi Recipe 

For an indulgent tropical taste ideal for chic beach or pool parties, impress the guests with the creamy coconut and vodka flavors in this Chi Chi cocktail recipe.  

Perfect Glass: NUDE Cocktail Glasses 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz Vodka 
• 1 oz Cream of Coconut 
• 4 oz Pineapple Juice 
• ½ oz Fresh Lime Juice 
• Ice 
• Cherry for Garnish 

Method: 

1. Whizz the vodka, coconut cream, lime juice, and pineapple juice with a few ice cubes in the blender. 
2. Half-fill a NUDE Cocktail Glass with ice and pour the contents over. 
3. Garnish the top with a cherry and serve.  

Spanish Breeze: Pomada Recipe 

Delight your guests on a summer evening with the exotic flavors of pomegranate, mint, and vodka. Rustle up this eye-catching Spanish Pomanda Recipe!  

Perfect Glass: NUDE Lowball Glasses 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz Vodka 
• 2 oz Pomegranate Juice 
• ½ oz Simple Syrup 
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice 
• 6 Fresh Mint Leaves 
• Cub Soda 
• Ice 
• Mint Sprigs and Pomegranate Seeds for Garnish 

Method: 

1. Start by muddling the mint with the simple syrup in a NUDE cocktail shaker. 
2. Add the vodka, pomegranate, lime, and some ice, and shake well. 
3. Fill the NUDE Lowball Glass with ice and strain the Pomanda cocktail over, leaving a little space at the top. 
4. Top the glass with club soda, garnish with a few pomegranate seeds and a sprig of mint, then serve. 

Trendy Cocktails for Summer 

The art of mixology is ever evolving, and each year, new and exciting cocktail trends and creative takes on the old classics emerge. 

The fresh cocktails listed should undoubtedly prove a hit with the majority. However, for discerning drinks and mixed-beverage connoisseurs, consider serving trendy coffee cocktails, a take on a well-loved whiskey cocktail, or an up-and-coming contemporary classic.  

For Coffee Lovers: Espresso Martini Recipe 

Coffee connoisseurs rejoice as the caffeine kick of the espresso martini remains a cocktail trend this summer. Perfect as a pick-me-up at any pool party, here’s how to make this energy-laden drink.  

Perfect Glass: NUDE Martini Glass 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz Vodka 
• 1 oz Fresh (Cold) Espresso 
• 1 oz Tia Maria 
• ½ oz Simple Syrup (To Taste) 
• Ice 
• Coffee Bean to Garnish 

Method: 

1. Brew a fresh espresso shot and let it cool. 
2. Add the vodka, cool espresso, Tia Maria, and a little simple syrup to a NUDE Shaker. Top with ice and shake well. 
3. Strain gently into a chilled NUDE Martini Glass, allowing the froth to rise to the top. 
4. Garnish with a coffee bean and serve.  

Irish Whiskey Old Fashioned Recipe 

Another twist on the classic, this Irish Whiskey Old Fashioned Recipe is a great cocktail to serve the discerning at a summer evening formal or soiree.  

Perfect Glass: NUDE Whiskey Glasses. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz Irish Whiskey 
• 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters 
• ½ oz Simple Syrup 
• Ice 
• Orange Twist for Garnish 

Method: 

1. Muddle the bitter with the simple syrup at the bottom of a NUDE Whiskey Glass. 
2. Gently pour in the whiskey and stir. 
3. Add a few ice cubes, garnish with an orange twist, and serve. 

Enzoni Recipe 

The refreshing fusion of gin, Campari, citrus, and grapes is rapidly becoming a modern classic. NUDE Barware ready and serve your friends this flavor-packed summer Enzoni recipe! Perfect Glass: NUDE Lowball Glasses 

Ingredients: 

• 1 oz Gin 
• 1 oz Campari 
• ½ oz Simple Syrup 
• ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice 
• 6 Green Grapes (Halved) 
• Ice 
• Lemon Twist for Garnish 

Method: 

1. Add the sliced grapes to a cocktail shaker and muddler them with the simple syrup to release their flavor. 
2. Add the gin, Campari, ice, and lemon juice and shake well. 
3. Fill the NUDE Lowball Glass with ice and strain the shaker contents into the glass, leaving the grape pulp behind. 
4. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve. 
5. As you can see, many fabulous cocktail recipes are trending, all perfect for sipping yourself or serving your guests this summer. 
6. For glassware inspiration and bar tools to elevate your cocktail-making and presentation, view the NUDE Drinkware Collection.