Plus-One Spritz To Deso Driver Mocktails, The Trending Drinks To Serve Each Of Your Crew In Summer

Summer plans command their fair share of summer friends. And while they come in all shapes and sizes, we can trust a handful of characters to emerge when a summer sesh is in order. 

They might be commanding the dinner table, ride-share corralling or the AUX cord, but they’re always appreciative of a signature sip. 

And that’s where we come in. We’ve teamed up with Schweppes to sort you with a summertime guide of all the best (and easy) cocktails to serve to every pal. 

A Simple Does-It Spritz For The Deso Driver

They’ve got a big job, so let’s not overcomplicate it for a designated driver, shall we? 

As soon as they walk through the door, greet them with a kiss on the cheek, a spritz in their hand and set them on their merry, sober way into your gathering. 

This one is easy to batch ahead of time. So while you’re dishing them up, prepare to scoop up compliments for being the speediest host in town. 

Ingredients 

Schweppes Indian Tonic Water 
1 Thin slice of fresh jalapeño 
2 Slices of cucumber, cut on an angle 
10 ml Lemon juice
1 Sprig fresh rosemary
1 Lemon wedge to garnish

Method 

1. Muddle one thin wheel of jalapeño with the cucumber and lemon juice. 

2. Top with ice and Schweppes Indian Tonic Water. 

3. Gently stir to combine ingredients and garnish with the lemon wedge and rosemary sprig.

The Always Brings A Date Mate

And for the local Lothario, perhaps a long and romantic sip? For the pal that seems to have a revolving door of plus-ones in tow, a zesty and a little bit bitter Tarzan cocktail is in order. 

Pro tip: serve it with two straws. It’s not pot-stirring; if it’s actually there to stir a drink, now is it?

Ingredients

120 ml Schweppes Dry Ginger Ale
60 ml Dry gin
60 ml Bitter liqueur
90 ml Pineapple juice
30 ml Simple syrup
30 ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Method 

1. Shake all ingredients in one cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Strain into a chilled highball.

3. Top up with Schweppes Dry Ginger Ale—add an orange wedge for decoration—and serve.

The Comedic Stirrer

Strategically seated in the middle of every dinner party, your comedic stirrer friend knows their way around a good joke, and a topsy-turvy story that commands a laugh at every turn.

So, between little chuffs and full belly laughs, serve them a Negroni with a twist. It’s sweet and funny, just like them. And, just like their tried-and-true jokes, you won’t mind a second helping. 

Ingredients

Schweppes Indian Tonic Water
25 ml Vermouth
25 ml Campari
25 ml Gin
Orange or grapefruit peel

Method

1. Peel and bruise orange or grapefruit skin before adding it to a shaker

2. Add equal parts gin, vermouth & Campari to the shaker and shake

3. Add to a chilled glass and top up with Schweppes Indian Tonic Water

4. Peel an orange or grapefruit and garnish

A Yacht Club Punch For The Built-In DJ With Boiler Room On Their Vision Board 

You lucky, lucky thing; you’ve got your very own DJ buddy. An AUX cord hates to see them coming, as does an empty hand. Luckily, a tangy Yacht Club Punch is quick to whip up and out (but complex enough to rake in admiration and recipe requests from your pals). 

True to its name, it tastes like a sun-soaked day on a yacht. It’ll keep your pal commanding the DJ booth—even if it is just your deck’s barbecue station.

Ingredients

Schweppes Classic Dry Lemonade
45ml White rum
3 Dashes of Absinthe
15ml Grenadine Syrup
A slice of lemon to garnish

Method

1. Pour rum, absinthe and grenadine into a tall glass of ice; stir.

2. Pour in the Schweppes Classic Dry Lemonade to the top.

3. Gently stir to combine the ingredients and garnish with the lemon garnish.

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Schweppes and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.

Images: Urban List.

*Please drink responsibly