Summer is here: Stay in and whip up these refreshing cocktails in no time

The great Mumbai summermdashhot and humidmdashis here Many turn to guzzling down litres of lemon soda or coconut water or feast on ice cream to keep themselves refreshed If you find yourself craving something stronger Midday Online asked mixologists to part with their favourite cocktails that are easy to make at home and use seasonal ingredients Channel your inner bartender and serve these beauties on days when itrsquos too hot to step outYazu Special MargaritaThe Margarita served at Yazu uses Yuzu puree lending it a balanced sweet and sour flavour PicYazu GoaldquoOur special margarita is a flavourful citrusy cocktail inspired by the Japanese plant Yuzu Its a lovely mix of sweet and sour with Yuzu puree that enhances the flavour of blue agave tequila in Asian aspects and revitalises both your mind and bodyrdquo shares Ritesh Kumar mixologist at Yazu GoaIngredientsTequila 60 ml Triple sec 15 ml lime juice 15 ml Yuzu puree 30 ml Egg white 30 mlMethod1 Shake all ingredients together over ice2 Garnish with burnt rosemary and Thai chilliTropical BourbonIf you thought bourbon was a winter fix you must try this fruity variation PicSassy Spoon and House of MandarinldquoWhen itrsquos summer therersquos nothing better than a fruity herby refreshing drink in hand Therersquos a great variety of summer cocktails that play on the flavours of the season our Tropical Bourbon is the perfect mixture of sweet pineapple and herbaceous basil to cool you offrdquo shares Gautam Rathod head of operations The Sassy Spoon and House of MandarinIngredientsBasil leaves 2 to 3 Bourbon whiskey 60 ml pineapple juice 60 ml grenadine syrup 10 ml sour mix30 mlMethod1 In a cocktail mixer take two to three basil leaves and muddle them2 Add the bourbon whiskey pineapple juice grenadine syrup sour mix and ice cubes and shake well3 Double strain the mixture into a short glass filled with ice and garnish with basil leavesWatermelon ThirstIf you prefer sweet cocktails the watermelon thirst will quickly become your goto Pic145 Cafe and BarldquoThis cocktail is a delicious combination of watermelon ginger juice and syrup This cocktail has a distinct refreshing taste the natural sweetness of watermelon and an elegant aroma of basil leaf The presentation of this cocktail is also distinctive because as you can see the rim of this cocktail is a distinctive blend of Indian spices Watermelon thirst is a summer cocktail that helps you stay hydrated as watermelon is scientifically proven to aid in rapid rehydration and it contains vitamins A B and C These vitamins are necessary for a variety of functions including immune system function skin health and increased metabolismrdquo explains Ishaan Bahl founder of 145 Cafeacute and BarIngredientsBelenkaya vodka 60 ml Monin watermelon syrup 10 ml lime juice 10 ml fresh watermelon juice 60 ml basil leaves 34 fresh ginger juice 5mlMethod1 Muddle all ingredients together2 Shake all ingredients over ice3 Garnish with basil leaves and serve in a Martini glassGin Basil SourThe ideal summer drink for gin lovers the Gin Basil Sour is tangy and refreshing PicElephant amp ColdquoThe Gin basil sour is the perfect lowsugar summer cocktail with flavours of refreshing pineapple juice and fresh basil Both the ingredients compliment a good London Dry Gin and elevate you with every siprdquo shares Sasmit Manjrekar mixologist at Elephant amp CoIngredientsGordons London Dry Gin 60 ml pineapple juice 90 ml lime juice 30ml fresh basil leaves 3Method1 Shake all ingredients over ice in a shaker 2 Garnish with fresh basil leavesA Berry ChoiceThis classic strawberry daiquiri is as easy to make as it is flavourful and boozy PicBar BankThe citrus from the lime along with the sweetness of the strawberry with a shot of the popular white rum makes this an ideal summer and sundowner cocktail that can make you feel hydrated and mildly tipsyrdquo shares Mihir Desai founder of Bar Bank Juhu IngredientsWhite rum 60 ml lime wedge1 lime juice30 ml fresh strawberries 6Method1 Muddle all ingredients together2 Shake all ingredients over ice3 Garnish with lime wedgeAlso ReadWhy drink a glass of wine plain when you can muddle it into fresh cocktails