Watermelon Martini
In a shaker, muddle a couple of small chunks of watermelon, then add 2 ounces vodka, 2 dashes of simple syrup (sugar dissolved into hot water and then cooled) and ice. Shake hard and strain into a martini glass, garnishing with a wedge of watermelon. It's what Bond would offer Jinx and you know it.
Bramble
Fresh juice in this and all your cocktails makes a huge taste difference—don't skimp! Add 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice and a half-ounce of simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice. Shake the mixture and strain into a sling glass. Fill with crushed ice and pour in the crème de mure gently so that the liquid sinks to the bottom of the cocktail. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a fresh blackberry.
Caribbean Cruise
What's summer without at least one blended drink? It's winter, that's what! In a blender, mix 1 ounce Meyers's Rum, 1 ounce dark rum, 0.75 ounces Tia Maria, 0.75 ounces crème de coconut, and a splash of orange and pineapple juices. Add ice and blend. Garnish with an orange twist.
Amore Dolce
In Japan, the ancient art of cocktail decoration is called garnigami. Slice a lime from the top nearly to the bottom and again at a 90-degree angle so that the lime opens out. Place it on the bottom of a rock or pony glass. Add 3 teaspoons of caster sugar. Add 1 ounce of Stolichnaya Razberi and 1 ounce of Campari. Stir and fill the glass with crushed ice.
Artlantic
In a shaker, add 1 ounce Disaronno Amaretto, 1 ounce De Kuyper Blue Curacao, 1 ounce spiced rum, 1 ounce fresh lime juice and 3 ounces apple juice. Shake with cubed ice and strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish with an orange slice and mint sprig. Stylish and blue, you'll never be called an assmonkey again.