A fresh cocktail is severely underrated as a drink. Not only do they taste fantastic, they offer a huge array of flavours. They can also look pretty amazing too. Plus, you can drink them anywhere, at any time!

La Berceuse

This cocktail is apparently inspired by Vincent Van Gogh. He painted La Berceuse just after cutting off his ear. Fortunately, no ears need be harmed in the making of this drink.

• 1/2 measure Absinthe
• 1 1/2 measures tequila
• 1/2 measure blue agave nectar
• 1 lemon, halved
• 3 strawberries, quartered
• Soda water

Mix the strawberries and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker. Add the juice of half the lemon and add the spirits over ice. Shake and strain into a glass and top with the soda water.

Summer Fruit Punch

This take on a summer fruit punch is the ideal fresh cocktail recipe to cool you down after a hot day.

• 1 1/2 measure good quality vodka
• 3/4 measure lemon juice
• 3/4 measure agave nectar
• 4 slices watermelon
• 5 parsley leaves
• Sparkling pink lemonade
• Summer fruits for garnish

Mix the watermelon and parsley in a cocktail shaker. Add everything else over ice andshake. Strain into a glass rimmed with sugar then add the pink lemonade and add the summer fruits as garnish.

Ginger-peach soda

This is a sophisticated fresh fruit cocktail recipe that brings out the best of the ingredients.

• 200g sugar
• 2 tbsp. fresh ginger
• 2 very ripe peaches
• 2 litres fizzy soda water
• Fresh mint leaves

Heat 250ml of water, the sugar and chopped ginger in a pan until it simmers. Once it reaches a syrup, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Sieve the syrup into a cocktail shaker and chill for an hour. Add peach slices to each glass and press with the back of a spoon to release the juice. Add a couple of tablespoons of the ginger syrup and top with the soda water. Garnish with a couple of mint leaves.

Belvedere Crimson Crush

This Belvedere Crimson Crush recipe is a light, flowery cocktail ideal for lazy summer days.

• 1 1/2 measure Belvedere vodka (or red vodka)
• 1/2 measure Elderflower liqueur
• 3 spoons of pomegranate seeds
• 4 chunks pink grapefruit

Mix the pomegranate, grapefruit and elderflower liqueur in a cocktail shaker. Add the vodka and some crushed ice, mix and serve in a glass.

Those four fruity fresh cocktail recipes are enough to make you fall in love with cocktails.

Have any recipes of your own?