So many people say they don’t like whisky, but when its edge is removed with a little sweetness, it suddenly becomes a very drinkable tipple. If you’ve been put off by the intense flavours of the spirit in the past, try this simple mix – it allows the complexities of whisky to shine through whilst remaining refreshing.

Port often conjures up images of dark nights in front of cosy fires, but this cocktail puts it in a lighter, refreshing setting. Brightened up with lemon and orange juice, sweetened with a little sugar, given a bitter edge thanks to Fernet Branca and with a little ginger beer for a peppery finish, it’s an unusual but incredibly tasty drink that’s light in alcohol but heavy on flavour.

Sake remains an underrated and often misunderstood drink in the UK, but this cocktail showcases its flavour in an accessible and easy-drinking way. Combined with vodka, elderflower liqueur, elderflower-infused tonic water and thinly sliced dried apricot, it’s fruity, light, floral and a fantastic aperitif.

If you’ve never made your own syrups before, this cocktail is a great introduction to how much of an impact it can have on the overall flavour. Gin and tonic is something we all know and love, but the addition of a blackberry, lemon and thyme syrup takes it a step further. Garnished with a sprig of rosemary, it’s something a little different from the norm that takes hardly any extra effort.

The clean, pure flavour of vodka makes it an incredible base for all sorts of other ingredients, and this simple mix gives the spirit plenty of zing. Tangy lime juice, sweet and fragrant elderflower cordial and fiery ginger beer are stirred together with plenty of crushed ice to create a refreshing long drink that’s guaranteed to please a crowd.

Take a look at the rest of our cocktail recipes for even more inspiration.