6 Delicious And Super-Easy Cocktails For Garden Parties

Lazy Old-Fashioned, anyone?

We're still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so please check and follow the latest government rules and advice around the easing of lockdown restrictions.

With the weather getting warmer and outdoor meetups now permitted*, eating and drinking in the garden with friends is now back on the menu! To help you with hosting, we've come up with some incredibly easy cocktail recipes that you and your loved ones can enjoy in your garden. They're simple and delicious, which means you can spend less time preparing and more time having fun!

*Government guidelines around meeting up vary across the UK. You should check and follow the government advice specific to your local area.

Here are six super-simple yet impressive cocktails you can easily make at home:

1. If you're missing the beach and want to bring a relaxed tropical vibe to your garden party, then a Monkey Colada is a delicious option for your lucky guests.

Monkey Shoulder / Via monkeyshoulder.com

A taste of paradise — exactly what we've been dreaming of!

What you'll need (makes one cocktail):

35ml Monkey Original

50ml Fresh pineapple juice

15ml Coconut rum

20ml Coconut cream / Coco Real

How you make it:

1. Add all ingredients into a blender with ice and blend until smooth.

3. Pour into a tall glass (if you have a "Hurricane" glass, even better!).

4. Garnish with a pineapple chunk.

2. If the day is a scorcher, something refreshing and zingy like this Ginger Monkey would go wonderfully with a little garden BBQ in the sunshine.

Monkey Shoulder / Via monkeyshoulder.com

Essential pairing: a juicy burger and a corn on the cob.

What you'll need (makes one cocktail):

50ml Monkey Shoulder

120ml dry ginger ale

1 orange wedge

How you make it:

1. Fill long glass with ice.

2. Pour in the Monkey Shoulder and dry ginger ale.

3. Gently stir and garnish with the orange wedge.

3. This Espresso Martini makes a great addition to any outdoor brunch. Plus, it's easier to make than you think!

Monkey Shoulder / Via monkeyshoulder.com

Coffee with friends, but with a twist.

What you'll need (makes one cocktail):

40ml Monkey Shoulder whisky

30ml good-quality espresso

15ml coffee liqueur such as Tia Maria

A dash of sugar syrup to taste

How you make it:

1. Add Monkey Shoulder, espresso, Tia Maria, sugar syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker.

2. Shake VERY hard until foamy.

3. Strain into a martini glass.

4. Garnish with three coffee beans laid onto the foam.

4. Or if afternoon tea is more your vibe, then a Monkey Jam Sour is a juicy, jammy treat that is sure to appeal to a sweet (and sour) tooth.

Monkey Shoulder / Via monkeyshoulder.com

You can say you even made the jam yourself — who's gonna know?

What you'll need (makes one cocktail):

40ml Monkey Shoulder whisky

20ml fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons jam

A dash of orange bitters

Soda water (optional)

How you make it:

1. Add all ingredients to shaker.

2. Add fresh ice and shake it well!

3. Strain into an ice-filled glass.

4. If you fancy, top with soda water!

5. We dare you to find someone who doesn't love cloudy apple juice, especially on a warm day. This Monkey Apples cocktail is refreshing, juicy, and just two ingredients. What's not to love?

Monkey Shoulder / Via monkeyshoulder.com

Bonus: The colour of this drink is just divine.

What you'll need (makes one cocktail):

50ml Monkey Shoulder whisky

Fresh cloudy apple juice

How you make it:

1. Add Monkey Shoulder, apple juice, and ice to a cocktail shaker .

2. Give a quick shake.

3. Serve into a tall glass over ice.

4. Garnish with fresh apple slices!

6. There's something very sophisticated about an Old-Fashioned but it has a reputation for being a little complex. Not this Lazy Old-Fashioned though, made directly in a Monkey Shoulder bottle! It's simple, looks cool, and it's a group serve so it cuts out all the work and impresses your friends at the same time!

Monkey Shoulder / Via monkeyshoulder.com

Place this bottle at the table or let your friends help themselves from the fridge. Hosting has never been easier!

What you'll need (makes 12 cocktails):

Bottle of Monkey Shoulder

90ml sugar syrup (made 1:1 water:sugar)

30ml Angostura bitters

Orange zest

How you make it:

1. Remove 100ml of Monkey Shoulder from the bottle (make yourself and a friend a Ginger Monkey while you wait).

2. Add sugar syrup and Angostura bitters to the bottle.

3. Shake well in the bottle and chill down in fridge (or pour straight over ice).

4. Pour into tumblers over ice, stir, and add a twist of orange peel.

Having a garden party and want even more cocktail inspiration? Click here for Monkey Shoulder products, recipes and ideas!

Don't be a drunken monkey. Please drink responsibly.

Additional thumbnail imagery from Getty Images.