With the summer season in full swing, the beach is definitely calling out for you! Whether your day is an action-packed day full of activities on the beach or just lazing around the pool enjoying the warmth of the sun. You don’t need much to have fun: some tunes, some yummy bites, refreshing drinks, maybe a friend or 2 and you’re ready for a good time.
But Hey, what should I pack? We got you covered!

Part 1 (and most important) of A&D’s Summer Essentials: The Drinks, of course!

With this heat rising over the summer months the need for a refreshing tipple now and then is a necessary. We have 5 easy-peasy summer cocktails that will for sure be creating some smiles at your summer get-to-together’s. ​

 Patagonian Margarita
 
Our exotic twist on a classic margarita has been a top seller for over 18 months now. With fresh blueberries and basil, the Patagonian Margarita is the perfect summer time drink and super easy to batch.
You will need (per person)
 2oz of good Tequila (we recommended Don Julio Reposando) – 1oz Grand Marnier – 1 oz Simple Syrup – 1oz Lime – Half a hand full (8-10) of juicy blueberries – 3 leaves of Basil.
Add your blueberries, basil, simple syrup and lime into a shaker and muddle all the juices out of them blueberries. Add all your liquors, add your ice and shake shake shake, once icey cold stain the liquid into a container. We recommend to use mason jars that come with lids, this way you can fill them up half way and throw them straight into a cooler and that’s it, just add your ice when you’re ready. Too be a little extra fancy you can take your extra blueberries and basil with you for your garnish.
 
Lost Lazarus
 
If you want to impress your mates with your inner Mixology skills, this cocktail takes the biscuit.
You will need (per person)
1 ½ oz Gin (we use Bummer & Lazarus Gin, heist the name) – 1/2oz Aperol – 1 orange sliced into wedges – 1 string of rosemary – 1/2 oz simple syrup – 1/2oz fresh lemon juice – 1/2 a bottle (per serving) FeverTree Tonic Water.
Add everything except your boozes into a shaker and muddle all the juices out of the orange. Add your boozes (Aperol and Gin,) your ice and shake shake shake! Stain the liquid into your container and when you’re ready to serve, add your ice and pour half a bottle (per person) of FeverTree Tonic Water. So refreshing and sophisticated.
 
Monkey Food
 
If you need something a little easier to whip up, try our Monkey Food, it’s totally bananas! With just 5 simple ingredients this tropical favourite will guarantee be a winner for everyones palette.
You will need (per person)
1oz of Banana Rum – 1oz Coconut Rum – 1oz simple syrup – 1oz fresh lemon juice – 2oz pineapple juice. Throw all the above together and that’s it! Throw it into a flask and add ice when you’re ready. If you want to get fancy you can buy some banana chips as garnish, they look pretty and they are delish!
               
If you wanting something a little different we have a couple of cocktails that are great with or without boozes!
 
Lavender and Blackberry Lemonade

This floral fruity concoction is so refreshing and perfect to keep the littles ones hydrated. There is also no harm throwing 1 ½ oz Cîroc vodka or Bombay Gin to make it an adult lemonade for yourself either (just saying… you totally should.) 
You will need for a batch that will serve up to 10.
The night before, create a simple syrup (add 3 cups of sugars to 4 cups of water in a pan and bring to the boil) once cooled infused simple syrup with lavender buds (1/2 cup) overnight in the fridge.
Strain the buds out before you hit the road and add 1oz of the lavender simple syrup to 1oz of Lemon Juice. Pour into a flask and top it off with about 5oz- 6oz water per portion. Take some fresh blackberries with you and throw 3-4 into a glass with some ice and add your juice.
Wa-lah! Tasty refreshing-ness!
 
 
Watermelon and Ginger Spritz
 
This refreshing thirst quencher is an absolute winner for everyone. Whether you want to spike it with some rum (we recommend Bacardi Light white rum, your welcome) or just by itself it’s something that everyone will be rushing back for seconds and thirds.
All you will need for a batch that will serve up to 8 people is:
10 cups of watermelon (1 large whole watermelon) – 2 cups of sugar – 2 cups of water – 2 knobs of ginger – 2 vanilla pods – 1 liter bottle of soda water.
The recipe goes as follows;
Place watermelon in the blender and blend until liquefied, stain the juice and place to one side.
Add your sugar, water, ginger and vanilla beans plus the empty pods to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat while whisking constantly until the sugar dissolves. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes until it becomes syrupy. Remove from the heat and let cool.
Place watermelon juice into a container and gradually add your syrup, do a few taste tests and see if it’s too your liking (sweet or not to sweet) and you’re ready to go! Serve over ice, with about 2oz of soda in each glass. Add some cucumber slices in to make it picture ready.

That’s it folks you are ready for your fun day in the sun! Enjoy your cocktails and rememeber to tag us at @AnchorAndDen or hashtag us #AnchorAndDen so you can keep us posted.
 
Keep your eyes peeled next week for part 2 of A&D summer essentials.