My friend wants something summery and light. We have gin, bourbon, elderflower syrup, ginger, beer, Triple Sec, St Germain’s, Angostura, and orange bitters.

cocktail colin avatar

Cocktail Colin says:

quote start

If your friend is looking for a summery and light cocktail, the "Summer Gin Granita" might be an excellent choice, especially since it includes ingredients you already have on hand—gin, elderflower syrup (a good substitute for elderflower cordial), and it’s designed to be a refreshing sipper. Given its overall rating of 4.37/5, it's a crowd-pleaser and perfect for a hot day. The blend of lemon juice, gin, apple vodka, elderflower, and watermelon juice creates a deliciously fruity and cool treat, although note that it might require some prep work as it’s served chilled but not shaken or stirred.

Another fantastic option could be the "Sapphire Summer Cup." It's not only rated highly at 4.23/5 but also packed with fresh, vibrant ingredients like mint, ginger ale, strawberries, lemon, and cucumber. It’s stirred gently to maintain the integrity of the fruit and herbs, making it a light but flavorful choice. While it doesn’t strictly include elderflower syrup or St. Germain’s, you could likely add a splash for a floral twist to match your ingredients on hand and elevate the summery feel.

For a straightforward and refreshing take, consider mixing up an "Elderflower Gin & Tonic," even though it's rated slightly lower at 3.99/5. Adding elderflower liqueur to your classic gin and tonic enhances it with a delicate floral note, perfect for summer evenings. This cocktail is simple to prepare and emphasizes the botanicals of gin balanced out with crisp, tonic water and a zesty hint from a lime wedge.

These options will definitely capture the essence of summer and complement the ingredients you have, making sure your gathering is both refreshing and enjoyable.

quote end
 Send this to a friend:
https://makemeacocktail.com/search/result/9c33914e-34a1-44fb-a853-8429acbe8fb9/my-friend-wants-something-summery-and-light-we-have-gin-bourbon-elderflower-syrup-ginger-beer-triple-sec-st-germains-angostura-and-orange-bitters

On this page

  • · · · · · ·   Answer
  • · · · · · ·   The cocktails
  • · · · · · ·   FAQ's

Tag

Menu creation

Do you want to create an online or printable menu with these cocktails in for your next party or gathering. We can pre-fill the cocktail results here into your own personalised menu.

Turn these results into a menu

You asked: Summer cocktail recipes with gin and bourbon. We found 10 cocktails answering the question.

Summer gin granita

As shown by Wayne Collins on Something for the Weekend (the BBC Sunday morning programme), this involves some prep work!

Lemon Juice (50ml), Gin (75ml), Apple vodka (75ml), Elderflower Cordial (60ml), Watermelon Juice (500ml)

5 ingredients
4.37 / 5

Bitter Elder

The Bitter Elder cocktail is a beautifully balanced drink that weaves together the floral notes of elderflower liqueur with the...

Lemon Juice (15ml), Gin (45ml), Campari (22.5ml), Elderflower Liqueur (22.ml)

4 ingredients
4.31 / 5

Sapphire Summer Cup

This recipe first appeared in the London Duty Free special edition Bombay Sapphire Gin, to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics....

Triple Sec (15ml), Mint Leaves (5), Lemon (Quarter ), Ginger Ale (60ml), Strawberry (3), Gin (30ml), Orange (Quarter ), Lime (Quarter ), Red vermouth (30ml), Cucumber (Slices)

10 ingredients
4.23 / 5

Elderflower Gin & Tonic

The Elderflower Gin & Tonic is a refreshing and floral twist on the classic gin and tonic. It combines the...

Gin (60ml), Lime (Wedge), Tonic water (Top up), Elderflower Liqueur (30ml)

4 ingredients
3.99 / 5

Gin Buck

The Gin Buck is a refreshing and zesty cocktail that has been enjoyed for many generations. It is believed to...

Lemon (30ml), Ginger Ale (Top up), Gin (30ml)

3 ingredients
3.97 / 5

East Side Elder

The East Side Elder cocktail is a refreshing and aromatic drink that combines the sharpness of lime juice with the...

Lime juice (22.5ml), Gin (60ml), Elderflower Liqueur (30ml)

3 ingredients
3.91 / 5

Gin and Cucumber

The Gin and Cucumber cocktail is a refreshing blend that highlights the botanical qualities of gin with the cool, crisp...

Lemon Juice (30ml), Gin (60ml), Sugar Syrup (15ml), Tonic water (300ml), Cucumber (5 slices)

5 ingredients
3.84 / 5

St. Germain and Grapefruit

The St. Germain and Grapefruit cocktail is a refreshing and floral drink with a crisp and tart edge. This cocktail...

Cranberry Juice (15ml), Grapefruit Juice (30ml), Elderflower Liqueur (30ml)

3 ingredients
3.76 / 5

English Garden

Apparently created by Dan Warner and Tobias Blazquez in London, England in 2001.

Lemon Juice (15ml), Gin (60ml), Apple Juice (60ml), Elderflower Liqueur (30ml)

4 ingredients
3.68 / 5

Gin Garden Martini

The Gin Garden Martini is a refreshing and botanical cocktail that marries the classic spirit of gin with the crispness...

Gin (60ml), Apple Juice (30ml), Cucumber (Half ), Elderflower Cordial (15ml)

4 ingredients
3.58 / 5

FAQ's

We've collated some quick fire Q&A's on the question to help you find exactly what you're looking for.

question icon image

What are some light and refreshing summer cocktails?

Light and refreshing summer cocktails often feature citrus juices, fresh herbs, and lighter spirits like gin. Examples include gin and tonic, mojitos, and various lemonade-based cocktails.

question icon image

Can bourbon be used in summer drinks?

Yes, bourbon can be used in summer drinks. It pairs well with flavors like ginger, lemon, and mint, making it suitable for cocktails like the Bourbon Smash or a Mint Julep.

question icon image

How do I incorporate elderflower syrup in cocktails?

Elderflower syrup can be added to cocktails to provide a floral sweetness. It pairs well with gin, vodka, and sparkling water, enhancing drinks like elderflower gin and tonic or elderflower spritz.

question icon image

What fruits are commonly used in summer cocktails?

Common fruits used in summer cocktails include strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, citrus fruits like lemons and limes, and tropical fruits like pineapple and mango.

question icon image

Are there any non-alcoholic summer cocktails?

Yes, there are many non-alcoholic summer cocktails, often called mocktails. These can include ingredients like fruit juices, sodas, and syrups to create refreshing and flavorful non-alcoholic beverages.

build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image