Light summer cocktails for balmy sunny afternoons
There’s nothing we enjoy more than to kick back, relax and soak up the sunshine with a summery whisky cocktail courtesy of The Glenlivet.
Traditionally, whisky is for when the weather turns damp and cold, but did you know it’s also the perfect spirit for warming up your summer cocktails? We know that whisky drinkers come in all forms, from those who like to party with a whisky cocktail in hand, to those who simply enjoy a tipple as the sun finally sets.
So whether you’ve a holiday booked, or are staying at home during the sunny months, be sure to read on for our top 15 light, refreshing summer cocktails.
Mango Tea Lime Smash
The fruity and fun Mango Tea Lime Smash leans on strong mango tea for its refreshing fruity tones, with a hint of lime to balance things out a bit. We’re thinking pool-side sunset. All you need to do is close your eyes and imagine it.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 
1
SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
|
50 ml |
|
Chilled Double Strong Mango Black Tea
|
37.5 ml |
|
Simple Syrup or Honey Syrup
|
12.5 ml |
|
Mint Leaves
|
8 |
|
Lime Wedges
|
3 |
METHOD
- Combine simple syrup, lime, and mint in shaker. Muddle.
- Add whisky, tea, and ice. Shake. Pour into glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and mint.
Coco Breeze
Coco Breeze. You can almost taste it already! Of course using the smooth taste of Caribbean Reserve, place yourself on the beach with the waves rolling in. Simple and delicious.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
|
50 ml |
|
Coconut Water
|
200 ml |
|
Lime and Orange Peel (for Garnish)
|
METHOD
- Pour ingredients over ice into a highball glass.
- Stir and garnish with lime and orange twists.
New Fashioned Flight
There are so many flavours with the New Fashioned Flight, making it one of our most fun and experimental whisky cocktails. Mixing sweet and bitter for the perfect summer-time taste.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
|
2 Parts |
|
Angostura Bitters
|
2 Dashes |
|
Orange Bitters
|
2 Dashes |
|
Maple Syrup
|
0.25 Parts |
METHOD
- Build in glass with ice and stir
- Garnish with a lemon twist and a mint sprig
Japanese Summer
Experience the wonderful taste of the Japanese Summer. This fruity and sweet whisky cocktail simply must be enjoyed in the outdoors or countryside, with the natural aromas of your environment complementing an already herbaceous cocktail.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
|
40 ml |
|
Sencha and Red Berries Cold Brew Tea
|
35 ml |
|
Lime Sherbet
|
10 ml |
|
Soda Water
|
55 ml |
|
Red Berries on Stem for Garnish
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loose Leaf Sencha and Red Berries Tea (for the Tea)
|
5 g |
METHOD
- Add fresh ice cubes to a highball or double walled glass.
- Pour cold brew sencha and red berries tea, lime sherbet and The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve into the glass.
- Top with soda water and stir lightly to incorporate the ingredients.
- Garnish with red berries on stem.
Paper Plane
Incorporating the quintessential summertime drink, Aperol, the Paper Plane is a sour but summery whisky cocktail to be enjoyed at those late summer evening dinner parties.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
|
25 ml |
|
Aperol
|
25 ml |
|
Amaro
|
25 ml |
|
Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
|
25 ml |
|
|
METHOD
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with Cubed Ice.
- Shake.
- Double Strain into a chilled Coupe.
- Garnish with Orange Zest.
- Serve.
Punch Fresco
If you can name a more refreshing taste than watermelon, we’ll be impressed. Add chunks of watermelon (and more!) to The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve to create the Punch Fresco, ideal for serving in large groups! We’re licking our lips just thinking about how refreshing that first taste will be.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
|
75 ml |
|
Watermelon Chunks
|
4 |
|
Watermelon Juice (Alternative to Watermelon Chunks)
|
75 ml |
|
Sugar Cane or Agave
|
1 tsp |
|
Tajin (for Garnish)
|
METHOD
- Muddle all ingredients.
- Add ice.
- Garnish with mint and watermelon slice.
- Optional garnish: Rim of Tajin.
Pineapple Lime Smash
Our refresh of the classic Piña Colada! The Pineapple Lime Smash is the ideal fruity whisky smash to enjoy when the sun is blazing, you’re overheating, and you’re craving something light. Set up the deckchairs and make the most of the fading summer’s evening sun with this cocktail in hand.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
|
50 ml |
|
Chilled Pineapple Juice
|
37.5 ml |
|
Lime Wedges
|
2 |
|
Simple Syrup
|
12.5 ml |
|
Mint Leaves
|
8 |
METHOD
- Combine simple syrup, lime and mint within shaker. Muddle.
- Add whisky and ice. Shake and pour into glass.
- Top with chilled pineapple juice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and mint.
Grain and Cane
We appreciate those willing to dare with new flavours! The Grain and Cane whisky cocktail brings in the flavour of white balsamic vinegar and raspberries, to create an unforgettable taste experience. Show this one off to your dinner guests!
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Whisky
|
50 ml |
|
Fresh Raspberries
|
5 |
|
Lemon Juice
|
15 ml |
|
White Balsamic Vinegar
|
5 ml |
|
Simple Syrup
|
15 ml |
METHOD
- Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over crushed ice in a highball glass.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries and a grind of black pepper.
Elderflower Collins
We love the taste of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve. We love the taste of elderflower. It’s just as well there is a cocktail combining those two very things, the Elderflower Collins. So light, and so fresh.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Founders Reserve
|
50 ml |
|
Elderflower Cordial
|
10 ml |
|
Lemon Juice
|
5 ml |
|
Soda
|
Top up with |
METHOD
- Build in glass.
- Garnish with cucumber ribbon.
Golden Storm
Ginger is so great because it suits both the winter and the summer. The Golden Storm is essentially the perfect storm of ginger, lemon and The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve. Fingers crossed for no actual storms, of course.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
|
50 ml |
|
Lemon Juice
|
20 ml |
|
Golden Ginger Syrup
|
25 ml |
|
Soda Water
|
120 ml |
|
|
|
|
Ginger Root (for the Syrup)
|
1 tsp |
METHOD
- Stir together The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, lemon juice and golden ginger syrup in a tall glass with cubed ice.
- Top up with soda water.
- Garnish with a sliced ginger and pieces of crystallised ginger.
Full Scottish Marmalade
Scottish marmalade for a Scottish whisky. Enjoy a fruity, sweet and fun marmalade whisky cocktail with the Full Scottish Marmalade. You’ve just got to try this one if you want a unique scotch experience.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old Whisky
|
50 ml |
|
Lemon Juice
|
20 ml |
|
White Port or Ruby Port
|
15 ml |
|
Simple Syrup
|
5 ml |
|
Orange Marmalade
|
15 ml |
METHOD
- Place all ingredients (including the marmalade) in a cocktail shaker and shake hard.
- Strain into a whisky tumbler filled with cubed ice.
- Garnish with thin strips of orange zest similar to the ones found in marmalade.
Peterhead Harbour
It’s time for a visit to Peterhead Harbour, and you’re coming with us! With melon tones to match The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, it’s the perfect combination for a light, relaxing summer evening tipple.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Founders Reserve
|
35 ml |
|
Midori
|
25 ml |
|
Lemon Juice
|
25 ml |
|
Fee Brother’s Peach Bitters
|
2 dash |
|
Soda
|
120 ml |
METHOD
- Build in Glass.
The Captain’s Quarter
Experience North African spice around the barbecue with The Captain’s Quarter, with the sweetness of apple juice and freshness of mint. Light up the BBQ and serve a wonderfully popular whisky cocktail for your guests.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve Whisky
|
60 ml |
|
Fresh Red Apple Juice
|
30 ml |
|
Green Cardamom Syrup
|
15 ml |
|
Poire William
|
7.5 ml |
|
Mint for Garnish
|
|
|
Cardamom pods for Garnish
|
METHOD
- Build and churn in a julep tin.
- Garnish with mint sprigs and cardamom pods.
Valley of the Bees
Bees and cocktails, two staples of the summer. The Scottish eco-system is magically represented in Valley of the Bees, honouring the vital work bees do to keep the Scottish Highlands beautiful. The sweetness of the honey makes for a wonderfully smooth summer whisky cocktail experience.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old
|
50 ml |
|
Heather Honey Syrup
|
7.5 ml |
|
Aromatic Bitters
|
1 dash(es) |
|
Lemon
|
|
|
Orange
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heather Flowers (for the Syrup)
|
20 g |
|
Heather Honey (for the Syrup)
|
300 ml |
METHOD
- Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled.
- Strain over a large ice ball into a glass.
- Twist the oils of lemon and orange peel to finish.
Carnivale
While some might spend their summers partying hard, we’re keeping things low-key with the Carnivale, a laid-back whisky cocktail for whisky drinkers who like to do things in first gear. Coconut water makes for a soft flavour, suited to those who like to take things slow on their summer evenings.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
1INGREDIENTS
| Ingredients | Unit |
|---|---|
|
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Whisky
|
50 ml |
|
Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
|
10 ml |
|
Coconut Water
|
120 ml |
|
Amargo Chuncho
|
1 dash(es) |
METHOD
- Add The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, fresh lime and coconut water to a highball glass half full of crushed ice and stir.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice, taking care not to bring the level of the liquid up too high.
- Dash with the Amargo Chuncho bitters.
So there you are. 15 of our favourite summer whisky cocktails to cater for all types of whisky drinker.
If you’re looking for more of where this came from, including cocktails not exclusively for the summer, check out our comprehensive whisky drinks collection. We’ve got everything from refreshing whisky cocktails to variations on the classic Old Fashioned.
