Here comes the sun

Summer is fast approaching so Ben McFarland takes a look at some of the refreshing alternatives on offer for thirsty customers.

Slap on the suncream, don the Hawaiian shorts and get the barbecue going 'cos this summer is going to be a scorcher... probably.

There are few things as fickle as the British weather - the sunniest March in 40 years has been followed in April by not only showers but snow and a heatwave.

This kind of meteorological madness is not new for licensees for whom second guessing Mother Nature is an annual headache, especially those with an outdoor space to fill.

If the sun does decide to put his hat on and come out to play there are a dazzling array of quaffable summer drinks ready, willing and able to quench the thirst of sun-kissed pub-goers who might fancy something a bit different to their usual year-round tipple.

Long drinks and cocktails​

• Pernod​
  
  Zut alors I hear you say! No, not the disastrous Pernod and black concoction responsible for many a queasy night, but rather the popular aperitif drunk by millions of Europeans whiling away time in the Mediterranean sun.

The ingredients that make up Pernod such as fennel, star anise, coriander and mint are not French, they're Asian and they help calm the senses and cleanse the palate.

At a ratio of one part Pernod to five parts mixer, either serve with water, the traditional way, or with cranberry, apple or orange juice for a pleasant surprise. Don't forget to add the ice last as the essence of anis crystallises when the temperature drops below 8°C.

Pernod Ricard: 020 8538 4484​

Pimm's​

The marketing boys and girls at Diageo might not like the fact that Pimm's only sells when the sun is shining, but there's no other long drink that is more synonymous with al fresco refreshment.

The TV advertising campaign that played up to its clichéd association with posh people is being repeated as part of a £3m marketing campaign this summer.

Pimm's is best served in jugs, better margins and all that, with healthy amounts of ice, fresh fruit and lemonade. The more "stuff" in the glass, the better. To showboat, replace the lemonade with ginger beer and pineapple juice for a Misty Pimm's.

Diageo: 020 8865 7700​

Tuscan Mule​

The Moscow Mule is a popular long drink, but its Italian cousin is a well-kept secret on the south coast.

Talk of the Tuscan Mule is beginning to spread beyond its Brighton heartland, where those who like to be beside the seaside have been quaffing it for some time.

Keeping cool with a Tuscan Mule couldn't be easier. Simply throw some ice in a jug to approximately a quarter full, squeeze two fresh juicy limes and throw them in too, before adding 150ml (six shots) of Tuaca. Top up with dry ginger and stir.

Danes Ltd: 01273 674022​

Cognac and cola/ginger ale​

You don't have to drink cognac in front of a roaring fire after a hard day shooting small animals, it's a summer drink too.

Martell is looking to move itself away from its clichéd status as an exclusive after-dinner drink towards cooler long drinks and it's not a bad thing.

Simply serve long with either cola or lemonade and ginger ale, plenty of ice and a slice for a tipple that's easy to make, thirst quenching and bound to raise a few eyebrows among sceptical drinkers.

Pernod Ricard: 020 8538 4484​

Alizé​

Alizé has a strong following in the States (particularly among the hip-hop community) but it's relatively unknown in the UK - which is a shame as it's darn tasty.

Mix with lemonade over ice for an invigorating fruity kick or, for the ambitious licensee, try the Passionate Fling which is a great summer tipple.

Pour a shot of Alizé Red Passion, a shot of vodka and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, give it a shake and then strain into a highball glass and add a slice of lime.

Wray & Nephew: 020 7378 8858​

Soft drinks​

• Groover Smoothies​

Smoothies have already blazed a trail through cafés, coffee shops and juice bars. Pubs, it seems, are next.

The Juice Company's Groover Smoothie, available in either cranberry and orange or pineapple and coconut flavours, is 100 per cent natural and even comes in a snazzy 250ml can. This means licensees needn't worry about finding fresh fruit and wasting time picking the pips out of a blender. Perfect in a cocktail, with a spirit base or just on its lonesome.

The Juice Company: 0870 242 1102​

Amé​

You don't have to be sophisticated to drink Amé, but it probably helps. This sparkling blend of eastern herbs, vitamins and fruit juices is the thinking man's alternative to usual suspects such as lemonade or cola.

It's exotic as well. Amé means "Gentle Rain" in Japanese (perfect for the English summer) and resembles a bottle of wine, but behind all this mystique it's a great accompaniment to barbecue grub. There are four variants - Delicate White, Crisp Dry, Refreshing Rosé and Radiant Red - all available in 750ml bottles for sharing or 330ml single serve bottles.

Britvic: 01245 261871​

St Clements​

Simple and easy, yet often overlooked, the traditional St Clements is a smashing summer drink.

When it comes to slaking a thirst, the classic combo of half bitter lemon and half orange juice served over ice with a slice is hard to beat. Sold by the jug, it's a nice little earner as well.

Fentimans Ginger Beer/Old Fashioned Lemonade/Shandy​

Fentimans is an expert in making the kind of soft drinks you remember from your childhood.

Its Old Fashioned Lemonade contains one and a half lemons in every bottle while the Ginger Beer, made with fermented Chinese ginger root, is the kind of stuff you'd find on a Famous Five picnic.

The latest addition to the Fentimans range, Full Bodied Shandy, is made with 70 per cent beer and has an ABV of less than 0.5 per cent. But don't let the Fentimans' claim that "it's as near as you can get to a hand prepared shandy" put you off!

Fentimans: 01434 682300​

Beers and ciders​

• Organic Honeydew​

Organic Honeydew is another brew more than capable of successfully surfing a heatwave.

A long hot and humid summer evening is the perfect time to crack open a bottle of this golden ale which really is the bee's knees.

It has the look and feel of a pilsner or lager but all the flavour of an ale and is best served chilled.

Fuller's has expanded the range to include a variant with added cranberry juice and launched two bottle sizes (500ml and 330ml).

Fuller's: 020 8996 2000​

Westons Cider with Elderflower/ Lemongrass/Ginger​

What do rosy cheeked Englishmen drink while playing cricket on the village green in the midday sun? Why, cider of course!

Westons does a fantastic trio of specialist ciders that can satisfy the most rampant of thirsts and are sessionable enough to keep you awake in the outfield. Choose from the exotic and oriental Lemongrass, the delicately floral Elderflower, or the delicious Ginger variant - all available in a 500ml bottle.

Perfect accompaniment to barbecues and spicy foods and it's suitable for vegans and vegetarian