Five unexpected gin cocktails to upgrade your summer bash

The sun is out, temperatures are rising, and plans for patio hangouts and backyard celebrations are starting to form. But no alfresco get-together is complete without refreshing summer sips.

This summer, one bottle can get you through all occasions. Ramsbury Single Estate Gin whisks drinkers away to the English countryside and shines in drinks beyond your average G&T or martini, making it an entertainer’s secret weapon. May we interest you in a pitcher of citrusy punch? A briny riff on a bloody mary? A bright and quenching summer collins? Plus, Ramsbury Single Estate Gin highlights 14 different botanicals—including cinnamon, grapefruit, fresh-picked quince and lemon—allowing the spirit to pair perfectly with all your quintessential summer snacks.

So elevate your next gathering with the following five exemplary and unusual gin-based cocktails, plus the perfect bites to pair with each.

Ramsbury Cup

When entertaining a crowd, try a cocktail that facilitates camaraderie, like a zesty and highly shareable pitcher of punch. All you need is Ramsbury Single Estate Gin, sweet vermouth, Aperol and a splash of ginger ale: make a jug, pour liberally, and kick your feet up. Serve alongside a garnish bar and a build-your-own-taco spread to let your guests customize their perfect bite.

Tip: If you’re sticking to a simple cocktail serve, try garnishing the glass with a slice of green apple to play off the florality of the gin and a squeeze of lime to bring out the citrus elements.

Montalto Spritz

For a chic cinq-à-sept, channel the energy of the Italian Riviera through a glowing ruby spritz. Start with a glass (a stemmed wine glass will work), add in Aperol and Ramsbury Single Estate Gin, then top with Fever-Tree’s blood orange soda. To keep the idea of the Italian aperitivo going, pair this summery spritz with crisp arancini, which can be prepped the night before and fried when your guests arrive.

Negroni

There’s a reason the negroni is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. It’s perfectly balanced and easy to prep, requiring just three ingredients: red vermouth, Campari and Ramsbury Single Estate Gin. Make a batch in advance in an empty wine (or gin) bottle and pour over ice to serve. For snacks? British cheese works surprisingly well with sips of gin.

Estate Snapper

Canada has no shortage of excellent summer festivals, from the annual Pride Parade to the countless music festivals that pop up around the city. If you’re hosting a brunch pre-festival, mix up the Estate Snapper, a bloody mary riff with pickled-onion brine, sherry and Ramsbury Single Estate Gin.

Estate Elderflower Collins

Amp up your average gin and soda with Ramsbury Single Estate Gin, elderflower liqueur, swirls of cucumber and bright sprigs of mint. Those crisp, fresh citrus notes play perfectly with dishes that amplify spring flavours—pasta tossed with an herby pesto or a vegetable quiche made with a farmers’ market bounty.

Ramsbury Distillery’s farming roots run deep, so its process also starts in the garden. Wheat is harvested directly from the estate, and gin is made with fresh quince picked from Ramsbury’s very own orchard.

Bonus: Dry Martini

And for those summer nights? Stick to the classics: a frosty gin martini. The notes of fresh quince, juniper, lemon peel, coriander and cinnamon shine when served with a dash of vermouth, some lemon zest and a sprig of rosemary. A Ramsbury gin martini is sublime with slices of Comté, a slightly nutty French mountain cheese.

Ready to level up your summer hosting? Click here to learn more about Ramsbury Single Estate Gin and purchase a bottle today.