Shaken, not stirred: 8 cocktails for the heatwave season

Lazy summer days.

With the good weather, the long evenings and the gut-wrenching thirst we all probably have lately, there is no better time to experiment with a few alcoholic drinks to sweeten up the summer sunshine. So here are 8 of the best cocktails to throw together to stretch out with on warm evenings.

1. Long Island Ice Tea

With a bit of everything, this is the drink to sip for an eclectic mix of liquers. Topped with cola, it goes down like a beer, easy. Mix the ingredients and garnish with a lemon slice. Can't get more straightforward than that. Serves 2. Ingredients

• 30ml Triple Sec
• 30ml Vodka
• 30ml White rum
• 30ml Gin
• 30ml Tequila
• 30ml Lemon Juice
• Sugar syrup
• Top up with Cola

2. Bloody Mary

The ingredients for this one are a bit more exotic and you might find yourself rummaging in a few presses to get everything but it's a fun drink with a serious kick and it's a bit of a laugh throwing it together so here's how to DIY it. Ingredients

• 60ml Vodka
• 100ml Tomato Juice
• 10ml Lemon Juice
• 5 dashes orchestershire sauce
• 3 dashes Tabasco
• 2 pinches Black pepper
• 1 pinch of Celery salt

3. The Old Fashioned

A drink with a bit of work to it, it's one for the bourbon and whiskey connoisseurs out there. Slowly mix the Bourbon and Sugar syrup together into a paste, stirring constantly. When all the Bourbon is added, add the whiskey and Lemon Juice. Ingredients

• 45ml Bourbon
• 30ml Whiskey
• 2 dashes Sugar syrup
• 3 dashes of Lemon Juice

4. Vodka Martini

If it's good enough for 007 than it's good enough for us. One for all the ages, here's how to put together James Bond's favourite drink. Add the ingredients together and shake, don't stir. Ingredients

• 75ml Vodka
• 8ml Martini Extra Dry

5. Whiskey Sour

A hard-hitting drink for a strong stomach, a whiskey sour is simple to make. Ingredients

• 60ml Bourbon
• 22ml Lemon Juice
• 30ml Sugar Syrup
• 1/2 Egg White

Shake all the ingredients together in a glass-filled container and strain into an ice-filled glass.

6. Black Russian

If you are into your coffee then this cocktail is the one for you. A simple blend of coffee and vodka swirling in a ice-filled glass, this is a great cool-down drink for the summer evenings. Ingredients

• 60 ml Vodka
• 22ml coffee liquer

7. Mojito

A classic drink that is as refreshing as it is simple and tasty. Mix the ingredients together and garnish with a lime slice.

• 12 Fresh Mint leaves
• 60ml White Rum
• 30ml Lemon Juice
• 22ml Sugar Syrup
• Top up with Soda water.

8. Guinness Cocktail

This Guinness Cocktail is a new invention created by the master brewers themselves. We haven't tried it yet but it's definitely on the to do list. Add all the ingredients together with a generous amount of ice and enjoy! Ingredients

• 35ml Rye Whiskey
• 2 dashes of Cocktail ditters
• 10ml Lemon juice
• 5ml Spiced pear syrup
• 10ml Cinnamon syrup
• 50ml Guinness West Indies Porter

Want to try a cocktail made with our Guinness West Indies Porter? #BeerofMore --- http://t.co/VPjOAZ06RC https://t.co/YoQUlG4lhI

— Guinness Ireland (@GuinnessIreland) June 26, 2015

Recipes via Diffords Guide