The best summer drinks with ice - TOP 15 recipes

Refreshing homemade iced drinks for a hot summer are part of the season, but many people like to make them all year round. We'll leave that up to you. But their popularity is also high among bartenders and their discerning palates. Mixing a pleasant cocktail with ice in the summer is perhaps the best thing we can treat ourselves to.

Romance, seduction, and flirting. In the summer, probably the biggest icebreaker is to invite a girl, a nice person, or a friend for a drink. For this, something delicious with ingredients typical for summer is perfect. They are refreshing and few people refuse them. After all, a get-to-know-you atmosphere is better with a drink in hand, even in the summer.

But it won't work without ice! How to easily make ice?

So, before we get to the drink recipes themselves, a crucial question arises – do you have enough quality ice?

Why do we mention this? The quality of the ice matters a lot…

Ice at a gas station or in a store is expensive and melts before you can even get it home. Another problem is that it's clumped together and difficult to separate. Our Orava IM-120 can help you with this, as it can produce up to 12 kg of ice per day.

The ORAVA ice maker is ideal for preparing ice for drinks, or for chilling beer and wine in hot weather. Thanks to the ice maker, you can easily prepare enough ice for a thermal bag or backpack for the swimming pool or beach.

By preparing ice for your thermal bag or backpack, you will also save a significant amount of money on drinks at a beach restaurant or bar.

Main reasons to get one?

• Produces up to 12 kg of ice daily
• First batch of ice ready in about 10 minutes
• Clean, solid cube ice suitable for beverages and air coolers
• Compact size, easy portability
• Quiet operation and automatic cleaning function
• Automatic water replenishment
• Intuitive touch control
• Transparent lid for easy status check
• Low energy consumption (120 W)
• Hat-shaped ice

Recipes for the best iced cocktails

Mojito (Cuba)

The Mojito originates from Cuba and is one of the world's most popular summer drinks. It combines the freshness of mint, the sourness of lime, the sweetness of sugar, and the kick of rum. The first mentions of its predecessor date back to the 16th century. Its true boom came in the 20th century in Havana, and the drink was loved by Ernest Hemingway, who drank it at the La Bodeguita del Medio bar.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml white rum
• ½ lime (cut into quarters)
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• A handful of fresh mint
• Sparkling water
• Ice (ideally crushed)

Method: In a tall glass, muddle the lime with sugar, add mint (lightly press, do not crush), rum, ice, and top with sparkling water. Stir from the bottom up.

What you'll need: muddler, a tall glass

Tips: Use fresh mint, never crush the mint completely. Crushed ice cools faster, but cubes last longer.

A word of caution: Don't over-muddle the mint, or it will become bitter.

Virgin version: Omit the rum, add more lime and a little ginger beer or sugar syrup.

Gin Tonic (Great Britain)

Gin Tonic was created for practical reasons – British soldiers in India drank quinine tonic to fight malaria, but the taste was so bitter that they softened it with gin. Today, it is a classic in bars all over the world. It is often served with a slice of lemon or lime, but creative bartenders also add cucumber, juniper, or rosemary.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml gin
• 100–150 ml of quality tonic
• A slice of lemon or lime
• Ice

Method: Pour the gin into a glass with ice, add tonic, stir, and garnish with a citrus slice.

What you'll need: a tall glass (preferably a Copa glass)

Tips: Chill both the tonic and the glass; the gin can be flavored (e.g., cucumber, floral). Use a quality tonic like Fever-Tree or Thomas Henry.

A word of caution: Pour the tonic gently so it doesn't lose its bubbles.

Virgin version: Replace the gin with a non-alcoholic gin or use flavored soda with herbs.

Daiquiri (Cuba)

This classic cocktail was allegedly invented by American engineer Jennings Cox in 1898 in the village of Daiquiri. Daiquiri was also loved by President John F. Kennedy. The most famous variant is the classic one – without strawberries or other fruit.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml white rum
• 25 ml fresh lime juice
• 15 ml sugar syrup
• Ice

Method: Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

What you'll need: shaker, strainer, cocktail glass

Tips: Use fresh lime juice, not lime concentrate.

A word of caution: Don't add too much sugar – the drink should be refreshing, not overly sweet.

Virgin version: Replace the rum with water or soda and add more lime.

Piña Colada (Cuba or Puerto Rico)

The creamy and exotic Piña Colada is the official national drink of Puerto Rico. It was allegedly created at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in 1954. It was made famous by songs like "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" and various tropical holiday movies that we love. It is a sweet drink that women particularly enjoy, but it is also strong and provides a heady and flavorful experience.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml white rum
• 90 ml pineapple juice
• 30 ml coconut cream (Coco Lopez)
• Ice

Method: Blend everything in a blender with ice (or shake) and serve in a tall glass with a pineapple slice and a cherry.

What you'll need: blender or shaker, a tall glass

Tips: Use coconut cream, not coconut milk – the difference is essential.

A word of caution: Don't overdo it with the ice – you don't want a watery drink.

Virgin version: Omit the rum – you'll be left with a great tropical cocktail.

Margarita (Mexico)

This iconic cocktail was allegedly created for the actress Margarita Cansino, known as Rita Hayworth. There are several theories about its origin, all of which are linked by tequila, lime, and orange liqueur. Although it is an incredibly famous drink, it did not bring greater fame to its namesake, despite her being an actress. One can sometimes be amazed at what can be hidden behind the name of a drink, but the harmonizing taste of the spirits, the power of the lime juice, and the kick of the salt truly provide an unmistakable experience.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml tequila
• 25 ml Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 25 ml fresh lime juice
• Salt for the rim
• Ice

Method: Moisten the rim of the glass with a lime wedge and coat it in salt. In a shaker, mix the rest of the ingredients with ice and strain into the glass.

What you'll need: shaker, strainer, Margarita glass

Tips: Use 100% agave tequila. You can also serve a “frozen” version – blended with ice.

A word of caution: Too much lime will overpower the taste of the tequila.

Virgin version: Omit the tequila and liqueur, use lime, orange juice, and agave syrup.

Cosmopolitan (USA)

The Cosmopolitan became an icon of the 90s thanks to the TV series Sex and the City, where it was the favorite drink of the character Carrie Bradshaw. Although its roots go back further (perhaps to the 30s), the modern version appeared in New York and Miami bars in the 80s. It's elegant, fresh, and subtly fruity. And its name is unforgettable because being cosmopolitan is trendy.

Ingredients:

• 40 ml citron vodka
• 20 ml Cointreau
• 20 ml lime juice
• 30 ml cranberry juice
• Ice

Method: Shake everything in a shaker with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and garnish with an orange peel.

What you'll need: shaker, cocktail glass

Tips: Use unsweetened cranberry juice and citron vodka for the right citrus zing.

A word of caution: If you use sweetened juice, reduce the Cointreau – otherwise, it will be too sweet.

Virgin version: Lemonade, cranberry juice, and a drop of orange concentrate will create a similar taste, and don't forget to use water instead of vodka.

Old Fashioned

One of the oldest cocktails in the world, dating back to the 19th century. It appears in the series Mad Men, where Don Draper drinks it. It's a classic among strong drinks for those who like the taste of whisky without embellishments. On March 28th, whisky lovers toast with this drink. And it is also important to know that Whisky comes from Scotland, Canada, and Japan, while whiskey is from Ireland and possibly the USA. And it's also worth knowing that bourbon is a different liquid, made from corn, and it was made by the first settlers in the USA. Bourbon is a designation for a composition with a volume of 50 to 80% corn. Some might say that ice kills the taste of whiskey, but that's not a problem with this drink. Moreover, you surely know that a Czech trace cannot be denied thanks to the cube sugar used in the recipe, which was invented by Jakub Kryštof Rad from Dačice.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1 sugar cube
• 2–3 dashes of Angostura bitters (some add orange bitters as well)
• A splash of water or soda
• Ice
• Some add a cherry

Method: In a lowball glass, dissolve the sugar with the bitters and a little water, add ice and whiskey, and stir. Garnish with an orange peel.

What you'll need: bar spoon, lowball glass (old fashioned glass)

Tips: You can replace the sugar with sugar syrup for faster preparation.

A word of caution: Don't overdo it with the soda – it should be strong, not watery.

Bloody Mary

A legendary brunch drink that even NASA astronauts loved after returning from space. It is known as a "liquid meal" and there are hundreds of variations. Americans and Frenchmen argue over its invention, but it likely originated at Harry's New York Bar in Paris in the 1920s.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml vodka
• 100 ml tomato juice
• 10 ml lemon juice
• Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, salt, pepper, celery salt
• Ice
• A celery stalk for garnish

Method: Mix the ingredients in a shaker without ice, then pour into a glass with ice. Garnish with a celery stalk.

What you'll need: shaker or mixing glass, a tall glass

Tips: Experiment with the seasoning – everyone likes their Bloody Mary differently.

A word of caution: Don't overdo it with the Tabasco – add it gradually.

Virgin version: Omit the vodka, but add 50 ml of water and the rest of the ingredients, and the result is an excellent non-alcoholic drink.

Negroni (Italy)

An Italian classic created in 1919 when Count Camillo Negroni asked for gin instead of soda in his Americano cocktail at a bar in Florence. The Negroni is a strong, bitter, and elegant drink, ideal as an aperitif.

Ingredients:

• 30 ml gin
• 30 ml Campari
• 30 ml sweet vermouth
• Ice
• Orange peel

Method: Mix all ingredients in a glass with ice, stir, and garnish with a peel.

What you'll need: lowball glass, bar spoon

Tips: All three ingredients should be of good quality – otherwise, it won't be balanced.

A word of caution: Campari is very bitter – it's not a drink for everyone.

Virgin version: Can be prepared with non-alcoholic vermouth, herbal syrup, and orange juice.

Aperol Spritz (Italy)

This iconic orange cocktail comes from Venice and has become a symbol of Italian aperitifs. It originated in the 1950s as a lighter version of classic bitter aperitifs. In 2010, it experienced a huge boom worldwide.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Aperol
• 90 ml prosecco
• 30 ml soda water
• Ice
• A slice of orange

Method: Pour the ingredients directly into a glass with ice, stir, and garnish with an orange slice.

What you'll need: large wine or balloon glass

Tips: Stick to the correct ratio – Aperol should not be drowned out by prosecco.

A word of caution: Don't substitute prosecco with other sparkling wines – the taste will change.

Virgin version: Mix a non-alcoholic bitter (e.g., Sanbittèr), soda, and orange juice.

Moscow Mule (USA)

This drink was created in the 1940s in the USA as a marketing ploy to promote vodka and ginger beer. It is traditionally served in a copper mug, which helps to keep the drink cold.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml vodka
• 100 ml ginger beer
• 10 ml lime juice
• Ice
• Lime for garnish

Method: Put ice in a copper mug, pour in vodka, lime juice, and top with ginger beer.

What you'll need: a copper mug (ideally), a lime

Tips: Ginger beer is spicier than ginger ale – choose according to your taste.

A word of caution: The ginger beer must be of good quality – cheap versions will spoil the taste.

Virgin version: Omit the vodka – you'll get an excellent non-alcoholic lime and ginger lemonade.

Cuba Libre (Cuba)

Cuba Libre ("free Cuba") was created after the Spanish-American War around 1900, when American soldiers mixed rum with Coca-Cola. It's a simple, but legendary cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml dark or white rum
• 100 ml Coca-Cola
• ½ lime

Method: In a glass with ice, pour the rum, add the juice from the lime, top with cola, and stir.

What you'll need: a tall glass, a lime

Tips: Use real Caribbean rum and a fresh lime.

A word of caution: Without the lime, it's just "rum and coke," not a Cuba Libre.

Virgin version: Omit the rum, add lime, cola, and a little ginger syrup.

Cheers, and have a beautiful, cool summer with ORAVA.