Refreshing summer drinks to keep you cool in the heat

From punchy cocktails to playful softs, stay cool as the days heat up with these refreshing summer drinks.

Is there anything better than basking in the sunshine with a freshly poured glass of something ice-cold and invigorating? When the sun beams down, there’s nothing quite like tangy fruit tipple or a creamy Velvetised treat to set the summer mood. Need some drinkspiration for your summer soirée or Sunday garden chill session? We’ve got you covered. Get ready for ultra-refreshing alcoholic summer drinks featuring crisp gins and punchy liqueurs. Plus, satisfying mocktails and softs that’ll add extra sparkle to any summer moment.

Summer alcoholic drinks that revive and refresh

When the summer heat is scorching, many of us crave something cold, juicy, and made to quench. Here are some delightfully refreshing alcohol-based options that go down easily — and go great with sunshine:

Gin and Tonic with a Cacao Twist

Who can say no to a G&T, especially in summer? This one’s an indisputable classic with a Hotel Chocolat twist. 

We infuse our malty yet fragrant Cacao Gin with the shells and nibs of our cacao beans, giving it a wonderfully toasty edge. With welcoming botanical notes from juniper, macadamia, coriander, grapefruit, and orange, it’s the ideal summer sip to serve over ice.

To prepare your G&T, add a generous amount of ice to a glass and pour in a measure (or two) of the cacao gin. Next, add raspberries to bring out the natural fruity tones in the spirit. Finally, top up with tonic water — we recommend an unflavoured tonic so you can experience all the complex taste notes inside the gin. 

Fancy a cheerful citrus touch? Garnish with a twist of orange peel. 

Refreshing Raspberry Bellini 

After something light, fresh, and fizzy? Our Raspberry Bellini recipe is a real winner. If you ever got to sample this tangy, summery tipple at Rabot London, you’ll be pleased to know it’s super easy to recreate at home.

Create your own Bellini by combining 100ml of our crisp Classic Prosecco with 25ml of raspberry purée. You can save time by purchasing your purée in the supermarket, although for the freshest flavour, we’d recommend making your own. 

Simply blend 200g of fresh raspberries with a tbsp of caster sugar and spoon into your glass. Then, top with ice-cold prosecco and a few frozen raspberries — they’ll keep your Bellini cooler for longer.

Pretty in Pink Cocktail 

Elegant and remarkably dainty, our Pretty in Pink Cocktail is perfect for summer afternoons in the sun. Delicately flavoured with rose and raspberry, this chic, floral cocktail combines our timeless Hotel Chocolat Prosecco with our malty Cacao Gin, giving you a sophisticated drink that delivers both refreshment and refinement in every sip.

To create this cheerful cocktail, crush 4–5 raspberries in a cocktail shaker and add a single measure of gin. Then, pour in a tbsp of sugar syrup with 2–3 drops of rose water, and add a squeeze of lemon juice before shaking, straining, and pouring.

Finally, top up with Prosecco and add ice. If you’d like to add a garnish, place a single raspberry or edible flower on top and finish with a dusting of cocktail sugar around the rim of your glass.

Alcoholic drinks that offer a taste of paradise

Ready to sip your way to paradise? These creamy, indulgent drinkable treats deliver maximum flavour with zero hassle. Simply pour, sip, and relax.

Smooth and Silky Velvetised Creams 

When you’re after a drink that’s rich and decadent, sometimes a fruity sip just doesn’t hit the spot. That’s where our Velvetised Creams come in. Whether you save them for a sumptuous mid-afternoon treat or serve them in place of a post-barbecue dessert, these wondrous creamy concoctions are so heavenly, they’ve even won awards.

Like the idea of combining ice, chocolate, and alcohol? Our classic Velvetised Chocolate Cream is for you. Made with quality cacao, slightly sweetened cream, and a glug of punchy vodka, this classic combination is perfect for pouring over ice and enjoying with a good book in the sunshine.

How about something with an added caffeine kick? If Espresso Martini’s your go-to holiday drinks order, you’ll fall head over heels for our Espresso Martini Cream Liqueur. Made with crisp vodka, quality espresso, buttery white chocolate, and cream, this coffee-centred indulgence is one dangerously sippable delight. Pop it into a cocktail shaker with some ice, try out your best bartender moves, and serve in your favourite martini glass. Simply divine.

Salted Caramel Vodka on the Rocks

After the ultimate summer party drink? Get your hands on our Salted Caramel Cacao Vodka Liqueur. Warm, smooth, and salty, yet so refreshing over ice, this single-origin cacao-infused caramel vodka is a guaranteed crowd pleaser at any summer get-together. Serve to guests in your finest glassware with some ice cubes to keep them cool, and watch as they gasp with delight.

Best summer drinks that are spirit-free

After options without alcohol? These summer serves might be free from the hard stuff, but they’re anything but boring. From zingy fruit blends to creamy chocolate coolers, these spirit-free sips deliver all the refreshment with none of the hangover. 

Iced Chocolate 

Thanks to The Velvetiser, we’ve built a bit of a rep for luxury hot chocolate, but did you know, you can serve our sumptuous flakes cold? Simply select your favourite sachet or pouch, combine your hot chocolate with 120ml of milk, pour over 100ml of pre-chilled milk with ice, and stir well until beautifully blended. 

Why not whip up a cooling banana dessert drink using our Limited Edition Banoffee Pie Hot Chocolate? With notes of caramelised banana, biscuit, butterscotch, and creamy milk chocolate, it’s the kind of cup that will awaken every sense. Want to go all out on decadence? This summer showstopper’s crying out for playful additions. Add whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, and a generous sprinkle of crushed Speculoos for added crunch. Heaven.

Know you’ll be hosting a teetotaller or two? If classic tastes are what they’re into, go for an iced chocolate with vanilla or mint. Use our smooth and satisfying 70% Dark with Mint sachets for a grown-up peppermint sip with a deep cacao twist. Or, for a fool-proof palate cleanser, combine our high-cacao Vanilla White Hot Chocolate with chilled milk and serve in the evening sun. It’ll be cool, creamy, and slightly sweet — ideal for winding down as the day draws to a close.

Creamy Iced Frappé 

Adore sipping on iced coffees in the sunshine? When it’s too warm for hot drinks, an icy frappé is the only way to stay cool and caffeinated.

Why not make yours in the Velvetiser? Grab one of our smooth and mellow Caffè Mocha Latte Sachets, and prepare using the exact same method as above. It’ll be a cooling café-style indulgence without ever leaving your kitchen.

Homemade Peach Iced Tea

A staple of summer holidays, peach iced tea is the ultimate refresher. Whip up a batch at home with a few simple ingredients.

Start by simmering 500ml of water with 2–3 tbsp of sugar in a saucepan until fully dissolved, then toss in 2 ripe peaches, chopped (no need to peel). Let everything bubble away for 10–15 minutes, until the fruit is soft and fragrant. Take off the heat, mash gently, and leave to infuse for around an hour.

Once cool, strain the peachy syrup into a jug, pressing the fruit to capture every last drop. Add 500ml of freshly brewed black tea (steeped for around four minutes), give it all a stir, then pop in the fridge to chill.

Serve your peachy concoction over ice with fresh peach slices or a sprig of mint for a little extra flourish.

Last-minute quick-pour sips that hit just right

Want to stock up on a few more summer drinks? Here are some low-effort last-minute drink ideas for your summer soirée. 

• Classic Aperol Spritz: Bubbly, citrusy, and effortlessly chic. A bittersweet Italian icon that’s basically sunshine in a glass.

• Elderflower Cordial and Tonic: Floral, fragrant, and delightfully crisp, this alcohol-free option offers garden-party elegance with a grown-up twist. Perfect for sipping under an English Oak.

• Rhubarb Gin Over Ice: Tart, tangy, and bursting with British summer flavour. A cooling fix that tastes like a country garden in a glass.

• Pimms and Lemonade: The ultimate Wimbledon-worthy refresher. Fruity, fizzy, and full of nostalgia. Add strawberries, cucumber, and mint for instant summer magic.

Explore delightful summer drink recipes and more

From imaginative barbecue treats to desserts that steal the show, we’re always sharing seasonal recipes and taste pairings to keep your summer entertaining game strong. Whether you’re planning an all-out garden bash or just fancy something delicious on a sunny afternoon, we’ve got plenty more where this came from. Browse our blog for more inspo.