Three Refreshing Cocktail Recipes To Enjoy Now Temps Are Rising

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | May 14, 2025 4:30 pm | Add a comment | 42 reads

The weather so far this year in Beijing has been a little wacky to say the least. However, it looks like summer is now starting to arrive, with yesterday's high temperatures reminding us of just how quickly things can heat up. Well, one of my personal favorite ways to cool down is with a refreshing tipple or two, so here are three cocktail recipes you can try out to help beat the incoming summer heat.  

Pimm's Cup

As a Brit, nothing quite says summer to me like a glass of Pimm's. For those unfamiliar, Pimm’s, or, to give it its full name, Pimm's No.1 Cup, is a gin liqueur infused with herbs, spices and caramelized orange invented by James Pimm back in 1840. The spirit is normally mixed with lemonade, fruit and mint to create a Pimm’s cocktail. In the UK it has become an essential part of any summer event, being served at weddings, barbecues, festivals and even at Wimbledon.

Ingredients

  • Ice
  • 50ml Pimm's No. 1
  • 150ml lemonade* (Sprite, 7-Up etc.), chilled
  • 2-3 mint leaves
  • 2 slices of cucumber
  • 2 slices of orange
  • 1 strawberry, halved

Method

  1. Fill the glass with ice
  2. Add the Pimm’s to the glass
  3. Pour in the lemonade
  4. Lightly crush the mint leaves in your hand, then add to the glass 
  5. Add the slices of cucumber, orange and strawberries
  6. Stir with a straw, and enjoy!

*For a twist on this classic, you can also choose to mix it with ginger ale instead of lemonade. 

English Garden Cocktail

Staying on the British theme, this is another favorite of mine to drink during the warmer months. A light, floral, and refreshing gin-based drink, with elderflower, apple and lime, it's ideal for sipping in the sun. 

Ingredients:

  • 50 ml gin 
  • 10ml elderflower syrup (use more or less depending on how sweet you like it)
  • 75 ml apple juice (cloudy is best)
  • 15 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Lime wedges (for garnish)
  • Fresh mint leaves (optional garnish)
  • Ice

Method:

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Add the gin, elderflower liqueur or syrup, apple juice, and lime juice.
  3. Shake well until chilled (about 15 seconds).
  4. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
  5. Garnish with lime wedges and a sprig of mint.

Watermelon Margarita

Moving away from the British theme for our final cocktail, we have this refreshing little number. I still fondly remember the first time I tried a watermelon-based cocktail at the now-closed Ramo on Fangjia Hutong during a sweltering summer day and how it was the perfect pick-me-up. 

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml tequila (blanco works best)
  • 30 ml fresh lime juice
  • 60 ml fresh watermelon juice (blend watermelon and strain)
  • 10 ml agave syrup (optional, adjust for sweetness)
  • Salt or Tajín for rimming the glass
  • Watermelon wedge and lime wheel for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Rim a glass with lime and dip in salt or Tajín. Set aside.
  2. In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, watermelon juice, and agave syrup.
  3. Add ice and shake vigorously.
  4. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
  5. Garnish with a watermelon wedge and lime wheel.

Note: For finding Pimm’s or an elderflower syrup  in Beijing, most of these shops should stock them:

  • April Gourmet
  • Jenny Lou’s
  • Jenny Wang
  • Bob’s Select/Wine/Wine Cellar
  • Bob’s Wine
  • 1919

If you're using a waimai app, it may help to search for the Chinese name for Pimm's, which is 飘仙酒 piāoxiān jiǔ, or the Chinese name for elderflower syrup, which is 接骨木花糖浆  jiēgǔmù huā tángjiāng.

What's your favorite summer cocktail? Let us know in the comments!

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