Our favourite summer cocktail recipes with Mermaid

Best summer cocktails 

Island Sun

Notes: Fruity and refreshing 

Starting off with a simply dreamy concoction that just screams summer! This fruity long drink transports you to the sandy shores of somewhere truly tropical. Take the first sip, close your eyes and imagine gentle waves lapping at your feet… perfection. 

Ingredients:

-50ml Mermaid Gin
-25ml Campari
-Top up with orange juice

Method: Build your ingredients into an ice-filled highball and garnish with a wedge of orange.

Spritz Rose

Notes: Fresh and balanced 

One of life's biggest decisions at the bar has to be: pink g&t or rose in the sunshine? Well, this heavenly combination solves that dilemma! Grab a glass, pour your measure and enjoy catching up in the garden. Simply bliss! 

Ingredients: 

-25ml Mermaid Pink Gin
-25ml rosé wine
-5ml grapefruit syrup
-Top up with tonic water 

Method: Build into an ice-filled wine glass and stir. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit. 

Pure Colada

Notes: Tropical and mellow 

If you like pina coladas… We mean, who doesn’t LOVE a pina colada!? This modern twist on a summer classic is the perfect way to spice up a balmy afternoon. As the sausages sizzle on the barbecue, enjoy this concoction of spiced rum, sweet pineapple and creamy coconut! 

Ingredients: 

-20ml Mermaid Spiced Rum
-140ml pineapple juice
-25ml coconut syrup
-25ml coconut milk
-35ml lime juice
-10ml vanilla extract
-2ml cocoa bitters

Method: Add all ingredients into a jug and stir well. Place a coffee filter over a second jug and pour the ingredients into it. Repeat until the desired transparency is achieved. To build the cocktail, combine Mermaid Spiced Rum with 75ml of the clarified mixture and stir well. Pour into an iced highball and garnish with pineapple leaves. 

Mermaid Kiss

Notes: Fresh and slightly floral 

Nothing oozes summer like the sweet taste of elderflower. Combined with the fresh twist of Mermaid Gin and a kiss of lemon, this delicious cocktail will have you cooling off in the heatwave in no time at all! You could be really creative and forage for elderflowers in spring to make your own cordial or liqueur. Take a look at this recipe for more inspiration. 

Ingredients: 

-50ml Mermaid Gin
-10ml elderflower liqueur
-10ml lemongrass syrup
-25ml lemon juice 

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into an ice-filled tumbler. Garnish with a wheel of lemon and a sprig of elderflower. 

Seaside Seltzer

Notes: Sweet and savoury

Wondrous watermelon. Is there anything more refreshing than an ice-cold slice of deliciously juicy watermelon when bathing in the mid-afternoon sunshine? Try this delicious combination of tantalising ingredients and get ready to surprise your nearest and dearest with the most refreshing party drink! 

Ingredients: 

-25ml Mermaid Salt Vodka
-100ml watermelon juice
-20ml lime juice
-10ml agave
-A pinch of salt and soda water 

Method: Shake with ice and strain into an ice-filled highball. Garnish with a slice of watermelon and a sprig of mint. 

English Garden

Notes: Refreshing and subtly sweet 

When we think of the English Garden we dream of long lazy afternoons lying under the shade of an ancient oak tree while reading a classic novel. This tastefully sweet and easy-to-make cocktail is a complete crowd-pleaser. The ingredients are minimal, but the taste is simply spellbinding! 

Ingredients: 

-50ml Mermaid Pink Gin
-100ml apple juice
-Top up with tonic

Method: Fill a highball glass with ice, then build the ingredients and garnish with a wheel of cucumber and a sprig of mint.

Rosehip Gimlet

Notes: Light and floral 

Sophisticated and pretty, this floral beauty is a dream for those seeking a sweet treat. In the autumn why not forage for vibrant red and orange rosehips to make your own syrup to add to next year's sunshine tipple? This drink is the perfect blend of nature and luxury.

Ingredients: 

-50ml Mermaid Gin
-Lime juice
-Rosehip syrup
-Sugar/ agave syrup to taste  

Method: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass, then garnish with a rose petal.

Citrus Basil Smash

Notes: Fresh and herbaceous 

Herby and wholesome, this mix of zesty gin and sweet basil is simply stunning. Another delicious combination to be enjoyed in a luscious garden as your dinner cooks alfresco and the sunset makes your heart sing. 

Ingredients: 

-50ml Mermaid Zest
-25ml lemon juice
-25ml sugar syrup
-A handful of basil
-Top with Mediterranean tonic

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice, leaving out the tonic and fine strain into an ice-filled highball. Top up with Mediterranean tonic and garnish with basil leaves. 

Top tip: This is one of our favourite options if you want a mocktail, just whip out the gin and enjoy a refreshing lemon drink with a twist! 

Back to the Island

Notes: Refreshing and vibrant 

For beach lovers and tropical dreamers, this is the drink for you! Soulful, sweet and spicy, this island-inspired mix will have you transported to the likes of Barbados! Add plenty of ice and keep cool with this perfect remedy on a golden summer's eve. 

Ingredients: 

-50ml Mermaid Spiced Rum
-25ml lime juice
-75ml pineapple juice
-15ml orange juice
-15ml Grenadine
-25ml lavender syrup

Method: Shake Mermaid Spiced Rum, lime juice, orange juice and pineapple juice with ice and pour into an ice-filled highball. Pour the grenadine and lavender syrup to finish, and then garnish with a lime wheel. 

Coconut Espresso Martini

Notes: Rich and indulgent 

For something a little more sumptuous and well suited to a twinkling starlit summer’s evening gathered with your favourite people around a fire pit, Mermaid's coconut twist on the traditional espresso martini is quite simply soul-stirring. A firm favourite within our team!

Ingredients and garnish: 

-25ml Mermaid Salt Vodka
-25ml espresso
-12.5ml coconut liqueur
-12.5ml coffee liqueur

Method: Shake with ice and fine strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of coconut flakes and a pinch of grated nutmeg.

(Closed) WIN with Unique hideaways and Mermaid 

Here’s to warm sunset moments with a long drink in hand, somewhere free-spirited. The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year and we’re welcoming the new season by giving you the chance to win the ultimate summer getaway with Unique hideaways and Mermaid Gin. Whether you are seeking a sea view retreat, a hideaway with a hot tub or a glamping abode for all the family, add an extra splash of luxury to your glamping summer getaway with your favourite tipple from Mermaid! 

To be in with the chance of winning a £250 Unique hideaways voucher and Mermaid bundle worth over £200, head to Mermaid’s website to enter our competition. 

And, if you can’t wait to find out if you are our lucky winner, we have a bespoke discount code to share with you, for 10% off, which can be used on any online order with The Isle of Wight Distillery: UNIQUEMERMAID1.