Shake up your summer soirée with four easy ways to make your drinks pop – think bold garnishes, zesty rims and ice that’s anything but basic. 

Make the citrus peel the star of the show 

As the saying goes (or should go in this case, anyway), one person’s waste is another’s cocktail garnish. Before you discard your orange, lime and lemon peels, let them take centre stage in your drink. Simply peel your citrus fruit and remove all the pith (the soft, white inner layer of the peel). Then, slice it into different shapes or even carve out various patterns. Finally, slide it onto the rim of your glass or pop it inside your drink for a vibrant splash of colour, giving the peel the limelight – literally! 

@mycocktailbible Orange Peel Garnish #garnishgoals #garnish #cocktailtutorial #fyp #cocktail #drinksoftiktok #cocktailoftheday #drinks ♬ Come Check This – FETISH

Use herbs as natural ‘skewers’ 

Sturdy herbs like rosemary and lavender make excellent natural ‘skewers’ to enhance your drink. Thread summer fruits such as berries, plums and chunks of pineapple onto your herbs and add them to your glass. As the herbs infuse, their earthy aroma gradually releases into the drink, adding a subtle earthy flavour that complements the fruit. Want to take it further? Light the end of your rosemary, then add the charred stem to your glass for a smoky flavour. 

Get creative with your ice 

What’s a summer cocktail (or mocktail) without ice? Basic. Add edible flowers, fruit (even just the peels) and herbs to your ice tray (bonus points for trays in fun shapes), freeze and add to your drink for extra fun and flavour. And when the ice melts? Your drink becomes a garden party in a glass, with petals and fruit gently infusing every sip. And it is pure gold for your Instagram grid.  

@brits.bites it’s giving spring #icemolds #flavoredicecubes #icecubemolds #cocktail #mocktail #recipesoftiktok #diy #flowers #springtime #mocktail #cocktail #springdrink #florals #fyp ♬ golden hour – Ruel Remix – JVKE

Add sugar, spice (and everything nice) to your rim 

Adding a splash of flair (and flavour) to your glass is as simple as dressing up the rim. Dipping the rim of your glass in salt, spice or sugar can make all the difference. For sweet drinks opt for a sugar-coated rim. Feeling spicy? Is it even worth drinking a margarita without a salted edge? But don’t stop at plain salt – mix in a little chilli and lime zest for a hot and citrusy kick that’ll have your taste buds dancing. 

@kleverjoe WHY SALT ON GLASS RIM? A salt rim on a glass is a classic garnish, especially for cocktails. A salted rim of glass looks attractive and signals the drink’s identity (e.g., Margarita). #mixology #mocktails #garnish ♬ original sound – ✯ 𝔍𝔞𝔢 ✯

Recipes and styling: Sjaan van der Ploeg
Photography: Zhann Solomons 

Also read: 4 Viral TikTok drinks to try out 

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