How to choose the perfect sweet potato spirits for summer cocktails

When the temperatures start to sizzle there’s nothing better than a cool refreshing drink in the garden. Whether you are looking for a thirst quenching long drink for a barbecue with friends or something sophisticated to enjoy on date night, we’re going to help you pick from our range of sweet potato spirits to make the perfect summer cocktails.

Which spirits are best in summer?

At the end of the day what you drink will come down to personal taste, but if you are looking for a little guidance on what suits the season, we think these spirits do a fantastic job:

Gin - one of the most versatile drinks you can get, gin is perhaps the ultimate summer spirit because it works so well as a long drink or cocktail and comes in many different styles and flavours.

Vodka - again a very versatile spirit and one that often appeals to those who don’t like gin or the darker spirits. Vodka can be easily mixed into a long drink or cocktail or you can bring a fun element to your summer gatherings by making vodka jellies or a vodka-spiked watermelon.

Rum - with its spicy warmth, you might not initially think of rum as being a good summer drink, but it all depends on how you serve it. Rum certainly brings the tropics to your summer celebrations and can be enjoyed on the rocks or as a long drink to quench the thirst on a hot summer’s day.

And of course, we can’t talk about summer drinks without mentioning moonshine. This is a fun spirit, born from the era of prohibition, when sneaking a drink was naughty but worthwhile! We produce a variety of moonshine drinks from toffee apple to chocolate moonshine with chilli, all with their own unique flavour profiles and serving suggestions.

What are the best mixers for summer cocktails?

When serving up drinks for the summer season, think bright, bold and colourful as well as fruity, floral and refreshing. Mixers that work well for long drinks and summer cocktails include fresh fruit juices and syrups, sparkling water to give your drink bubbles (or, of course you can use prosecco or champagne!) and fresh herbs such as mint.

Our favourite summer cocktails

Whilst we would always encourage you to experiment to find your perfect drink, we’ve got some tried and tested recipes using our sweet potato spirits and here are just a few of our summer cocktail favourites:

Spiced Rum Mojito

A real refresher that hits the spot on a scorching day. Mix 50ml of our Sweet Potato Spiced Rum with 20ml each of lime juice and simple syrup. Top up with 100ml of ginger beer and serve with freshly chopped mint and a few chilli rings (if you can take the heat!). 

Toffee Apple Nightingale 

A lovely refreshing drink that works perfectly at a summer barbecue. To 50ml of our Sweet Potato Toffee Apple Moonshine add 10ml of elderflower cordial and 85ml each of pomegranate juice and pressed apple juice. Serve over cubed ice in a highball glass with a lime wedge garnish. 

Royal Cosmo 

A classic cocktail with our sweet potato twist! Mix 15ml of our Sweet Potato Orange Gin Liqueur with 35-45 ml of our Sweet Potato Vodka and top up with 30ml of cranberry juice and 7.5ml of lime juice. Shake with ice and serve in a highball glass with an orange twist, for a sophisticated summer drink. 

Raspberry Spritz 

If you’re looking for the perfect summer combo try gin and prosecco. We particularly love this raspberry spritz as it’s refreshing, fruity and most of all looks great with its pink hue. Simply mix 25ml of our Sweet Potato Raspberry Gin Liqueur with prosecco, champagne or sparkling wine and top up with a little fresh lime juice and soda. Garnish with raspberry or orange for a drink worthy of date night. 

Have you got a different favourite? Share your ultimate summer cocktails made with our sweet potato spirits by connecting with us on social media - @SweetPotatoSpiritCompany on Facebook or Instagram or tweet us @askforanSP. Enjoy the summer!