If you’re having a summer party any time soon (and if you’re not, why not?) then take a look at some of these ace DIY cocktail garnishes to take your drinks from blah to brilliant.
Cucumber ribbons
Spruce up your G&Ts with some cucumber ribbons. They couldn’t be simpler and all you need is a cucumber and a peeler. Use your peeler to peel down the length of the whole cucumber and pop the ribbon to one side. Repeat this process. Use around two or three ribbons per glass.
Pair with: A gimlet. The cucumber goes great with the already fresh taste of Bombay Sapphire gin and lime. Full recipe here.
Apple fan
Add a bit of height to your cocktail with this fun apple fan. Begin by cutting three thin apple slices, lay them out on a surface and secure by pushing a clove through the bottom. Make sure the ice is piled high in your glass to keep the apple propped up.
Pair with: This delicious treacle cocktail...
Chocolate swirl
Add a bit of art to your espresso martinis! Using a microwave or a bain-marie, melt some 80% dark chocolate. Take a spoon and drizzle the chocolate into random shapes on a non-stick baking sheet. Pop in the fridge for 10 minutes until solid. Gently peel back the baking sheet to remove the shape.
Pair with: An espresso martini. Get the full recipe here.
Hundreds and thousands
Melt some chocolate and leave to cool slightly. Gently dip the rim of glass into the chocolate so it covers around 5 mm. Next pour some hundreds and thousands onto a plate or bowl and press the glass face down into them to reveal your colourful fun edible cocktail decoration.
Pair with: The super-fun and summery Beach Bum cocktail made with Grey Goose vodka. Full recipe here.
Blueberry stirrers
This one couldn’t be simpler and takes less than 30 seconds. Grab some cocktail sticks and some blueberries and push the blueberries onto the stick and voila!
Pair with: Something sparkling. Like the Kir Royal. Full recipe here.
Get more amazing cocktail recipes over on the Mixed Cocktails website.
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Follow Claire on her Travel and Lifestyle blog or over on Twitter @imcalledclaire
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.