Kilner show us how to quench your thirst with recipe ideas for the best summer drinks and cocktails
From picnics and barbecues to garden parties and days out at the races, summer is best enjoyed with a cool drink of something sweet (and preferably alcoholic) at hand. If there’s anyone who knows how to knock up a good fruity cocktail, look no further than our friends at Kilner. After preserving British fruit and veg for 175 years, the brand today offers a much-loved drinks range perfect for the summer season. The Hut sought advise from the brand to offer a guide to summer drinks and cocktails that are easy to make, and even easier to drink. You won't be disappointed...
Pimms Iced TeaClassic MojitoCloudy Pink LemonadeMargarita MadnessSex on the BeachBlueberry BourbonPimms Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 4 English Breakfast Tea Bags
- 25 Grams Fresh Mint
- 100g Caster Sugar
- Juice of 2 Lemons, Plus Slices to Serve
- Juice of 2 Oranges, Plus Slices to Serve
- 400ml Pimms
- Strawberries, Slice to Serve
Method
- Place the tea bags, sugar and half the mint in a large saucepan. Add 1 litre of freshly boiled water.
- Allow the teabags to infuse for 15 minutes, remove and discard.
- Leave the liquid to cool and add in the Pimms.
- Remove the mint and store in clean sterilised Kilner bottles. Your sealed bottles can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
- When ready to serve, pour Pimms into a Kilner handled mug, add slices of lemon, orange and strawberries. Finish with sprigs of mint.
What You’ll Need
- 1 x 500ml Kilner clip top bottle
- Kilner handled jars to serve
Top tip: Complete the look with cute vintage reusable straws.
Classic Mojito
Ingredients
- 30ml White Rum
- 25ml Lime Juice
- 1 Teaspoon White Sugar
- Soda Water
- Mint Sprigs
- Ice
- Lime Slices to Serve
Method
- Place the sugar in the bottom of a clean Kilner handled jar and pour the lime juice over.
- Add a couple of mint sprigs and gently mash together.
- Fill the handled Kilner jar with ice cubes and the rum.
- Top up with soda water and stir.
- Decorate wit ha slice of lime and a couple of mint leaves.
What You’ll Need
- Kilner handled jars to serve
- Keep the drinks flowing with Kilner’s 5-litre drinks dispenser. Your family and friends can help themselves to your tasty creations, and the dispensers are great for get-togethers, parties and even weddings.
- Replace the soda water with ginger beer for a spicey alternative.
Cloudy Pink Lemonade
Ingredients
- 300g Caster Sugar
- 1 ½ Lemons, Sliced
- 1 Orange, Sliced
- 3 x 170g Punnets of Raspberries
- Ice and Fresh Mint to Serve
Method
- Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan and pour over 350ml cold water.
- Bring to the boil, stirring often, then leave to cool.
- Pour through a sieve, pressing down with a spoon to extract all the juices.
- The syrup can now be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- To serve, pour a little into a Kilner handled jar and top up with sparkling or still water, ice and mint.
- 500ml Kilner clip top bottles
- Kilner handled jars to serve
Unusual but Brilliant Ways to Use Your Kilner Jars
Originally designed 175 years ago for preserving and pickling your fruit and veg, Kilner's iconic jars are today used by creatives in a range of unusual but brilliant contexts. The Hut takes a look at 10 of the best.
Margarita Madness
Ingredients
- 1 Part Tequila
- ½ Part Triple Sec Liqueur
- ½ Part Lime Juice
- Salt
- Cubed Ice
Method
- Chill your glass by filling it with ice for a couple of minutes and then removing it.
- Put lots of ice and all of the ingredients into a shaker, then shake hard for about 30 seconds to chill the liquid.
- Run a lime wedge around the outside of the rim of your glass before rolling the rim to salt.
- Double strain the mix into the glass.
What You’ll Need
- Kilner handled jars to serve
- Cocktail shaker
Sex on the Beach
Serves 10
Ingredients
- Archers* Peach Schnapps
- Smirnoff No. 21* Vodka
- Orange Juice
- Cranberry Juice
- Oranges, Lemons and Limes, Sliced to Serve
Method
- Add 500ml Vodka.
- Add 150ml Peach Schnapps.
- Add 60ml Orange Juice.
- Add 600ml Cranberry Juice.
- Mix & serve over ice.
What You’ll Need
- 5-litre Kilner Dispenser
- Kilner handled jars to serve
Blueberry Bourbon
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 10 Basil Leaves
- ½ Cup Blueberries
- 1 Cup Soda Water
- ½ Cup Tonic Water
- 2-3 Shots of Bourbon
- Honey to Drizzle
Method
- Mix blueberries and basil in glass.
- Add the soda, tonic, bourbon and ice to mixer and shake to cool liquid.
- Pour into Kilner handled jars and drizzle with honey.
- Taste and top off with more soda or tonic water as needed.
What You’ll Need
- Kilner handled jars to serve
- Cocktail shaker