DUKES London Cocktail Guide: Our Favourite Summer Cocktail Recipes

With spring in full swing and the sunshine starting to make more regular appearances, we’ve been starting to think about garden parties, barbecues, and, of course, cocktails!

Offering a collection of classics in our DUKES Bar — from margaritas and Manhattans to mojitos and Negronis — our talented bartenders whip up refreshing experiences like no other.

Keep reading to discover our favourite summer cocktail recipes that you can recreate at home:

Our Favourite Summer Cocktail Recipes

Our mouths are already watering at the prospect of a classic cocktail or two in the sunshine.

And while we’re best known for our meticulously crafted martinis, we do have a selection of other mixed marvels that’ll be sure to put a spring in your step…

Aperol Spritz

A refreshingly sweet, slightly floral flavour, the Aperol spritz is the perfect choice for a summer aperitif, helping to stimulate your appetite.

Made with 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water, it’s usually served with an orange garnish and plenty of ice.

Make a large jug and serve it to friends in the garden before dinner, for the ultimate summer cocktail party starter!

Negroni

A strong flavour that packs a punch, the Negroni is made with equal parts gin, vermouth and Campari.

Simply strain the mixed ingredients into a tumbler over a sphere of ice, and add a slice of orange.

A refreshing bitter, this is a Friday night wind-down cocktail, perfect for post-dessert!

Mojito

A firm favourite when it comes to summer cocktail recipes, the classic mojito is a delightful drink to serve on a warm afternoon. Infused with lime, mint and sugar, it offers a refreshing taste that’s oh-so sippable!

Mix the lime, sugar and mint in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go. Pour into a tall glass over plenty of ice, before adding the rum. Stir, top with soda water, garnish with mint, et voilà!

Espresso Martini

Post-dinner coffee — but in a cocktail!

Full-bodied and flavourful, this rich digestif is elegant as it is delicious. Served in a classic martini glass, the espresso martini is designed to be sipped slowly and savoured.

Made with sugar syrup, ice, vodka, freshly brewed espresso coffee, and coffee liqueur, it’s easy enough to whip up, while earning you maximum host points!

Manhattan

Embrace city life with the perfect Manhattan cocktail!

Mix 75ml bourbon, 15ml sweet vermouth, 15ml extra dry vermouth, 2 dashes of bitters, and 5ml cherry eau de vie over cubed ice, pour into your glass, and add an orange garnish.

Full of multi-dimensional flavour, this popular drink has a slight bitterness — perfect for pairing with sweet summer strawberries.

Margarita

Next up on our list of summer cocktail recipes is the classic tequila-based margarita — idyllic for enjoying in the sunshine.

The trick with this one is to prep the glass first; sprinkle salt over the surface of a small plate, rub a wedge of lime over the rim of a tumbler, and then dip into the salt until the top of the glass is covered.

In a cocktail shaker, muddle together tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice, then strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.

Serve with a wedge of lime and a healthy dose of vitamin-D; it’s strong, sophisticated, and superbly summery!

Classic Martini

Of course, we couldn’t let you leave without mentioning our most famous cocktail…

But, instead of giving you the recipe, we recommend you head to DUKES Bar and try our classic martini for yourself; no-one makes it quite like us!

To really enhance your experience, why not book a table in GBR first, or treat yourself to an overnight stay in one of our exquisite rooms?

To find out more about visiting our luxury London hotel, please contact a member of our team.

Alternatively, if you’ve enjoyed these summer cocktail recipes (and are counting down the days until you can sit in your garden and taste-test your creations!), why not read our previous blog to discover our ultimate guide to St James’s Park?