Summer has arrived. Picnics, barbecues and parties have come round once more. Time to head to the store for beers and wine, Pimm’s, or gin and tonic. Hold on a minute, why not try something a bit more exciting? Yes, that’s right, it’s cocktail time. It’s amazing what you can make with some vodka, fruit and just a little bit of know-how.

And, if you have any vodka left over, use it to save you some cash!

Caipiroska

 With perhaps the simplest ingredients of any cocktail – vodka, lime, sugar, and ice – the Caipiroska is a genius concoction. On hot summer days this is short, sharp and refreshing drink is dangerously addictive.

 1) Slice a whole lime into 8 wedges.

2) Add 6 of these to a large glass with 5 sachets of sugar or 3 heaped teaspoons.

3) Take a muddler (or wooden spoon) and press the lime and sugar together hard, mixing as you go.

4) Stir until the sugar dissolves then add ice and 50ml vodka.

5) Stir well and pour into a tumbler.

6) Top up with more ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

 Add a straw and start thinking about where to get more limes, you’re going to need them.

Cosmopolitan

 This rose-hued summer classic will never get old and, despite the dollars that Sex and the City girls shell out for it, it’s incredibly easy to make at home.

 1) Chill a wide martini glass with ice.

2) In a cocktail shaker add 45ml Absolut Citron vodka (if you have only standard vodka add some extra lime instead).

3) Drop in 30ml Cointreau.

4) Squeeze in 15ml of fresh lime.

5) Add about 25ml cranberry juice.

6) Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.

7) Empty the martini glass and pour in the cocktail through a strainer.

8) Garnish with a thin slice of orange peel

 The Cosmo should be a light pink colour. Sip away and enjoy.

Sex On The Beach

 This frisky cocktail has been strutting its stuff on the summer stage since anyone can remember. But few realize how devilishly easy it is to make.

 1) Fill a highball glass with ice.

2) Add 45ml vodka.

3) Add 25ml peach schnapps.

3) Top up the rest of the glass, half with orange juice and half with cranberry juice.

4) Stir in the flavours and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

 To impress your friends with an alternative on this classic, try adding a dash of Midori at the start. Then shake the vodka, schnapps and orange juice together and pour carefully. Finally, shake the cranberry juice on its own and pour it on to a level teaspoon on top of the rest of the drink. This should layer the colours like a traffic light and have everyone gasping with amazement.

 There’s nothing better than sipping summer cocktails in the sunshine and there are plenty more options you can try at home too!

Image Credit: Ralph Daily