Ballantine’s, the beach edition: 3 bucket cocktails to capture those summer vibes

ballantines finest stay berry whisky pitcher drink

What do you see in your mind’s eye when you think of summer beach days? We would put money on images of buckets and spades, sunblock, parasols, and most definitely fruity, refreshing cocktails.

In this blog, we’ll be creating a super summery and slightly kitsch combination of beach icons with three delicious beach bucket cocktail recipes.

Creating a beachy cocktail in a bright plastic sand bucket is the best kind of tacky in our opinion, and if you can’t be a little bit tacky on a summer holiday or tropical weekend at the beach, when can you be?!

So if you like the idea of treating you and your pals to some tasty, fun and easy beach bucket cocktails, stick around.

What you’ll need to make beach bucket cocktails

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s talk about what supplies and equipment you’ll need.

We hate to state the obvious, but you will be needing a bucket, or buckets. Beach buckets are super cheap and come in lots of different colours and designs whether you get them from a beachside shop or online.

The quantity you’ll need depends on whether you opt for one supersize bucket that friends can share from, or pick smaller receptacles so everyone can have one each. It’s totally up to you, but remember you may have to adjust the quantities a little.

You’ll also need some fun beach cocktail accessories such as cocktail umbrellas, reusable novelty straws and even mini spades. There are no rules here, and the more fun and garish, the better. (However, one rule to stick by is to have plenty of ice on hand, regardless of which beach bucket cocktail you pick!)

Be sure to give your bucket(s) and straws a thorough clean with warm soapy water, and then it’s time to get cocktail making…

Summer Pitcher

This sharp and sweet fruity whisky drink is ideal as a beach bucket cocktail.

The Summer Pitcher is the perfect starter kit, starring Ballantine’s Finest, our core whisky that’s had the same recipe since 1910, combining over 40 different whiskies to make the perfect blend. Because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

Ballantine’s Finest’s sweet flavours of chocolate, red apple and vanilla pair deliciously with sharp lemon, and the fresh floral and fruity notes of Lillet Blanc, with added sweetness from lemon soda.

Lemon slices and green grapes give this beach bucket cocktail a fruit punch vibe, which becomes beautifully beachy when made in a sand bucket and adorned with tropical cocktail accessories.

Why not add a few grapes and lemon slices to a mini spade and place on the side of your bucket for extra summer vibes?

Crisp, thirst quenching and great for a hot day at the beach or pool.

Summer Pitcher

Summer time, and the living’s pitchin’. Add lemon slices and halved green grapes, Ballantine’s Finest, fresh lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, and top with Lemonade. Give it a good stir and pour out a round.

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Tropical Orange Fizz

We’re sticking with citrus flavours for our second beach bucket cocktail recipe – it is indeed one of our favourite flavour profiles to pair with Ballantine’s whisky.

The Tropical Orange Fizz amps up the nostalgic feel of beach days complete with buckets and spades, as it’s an adults only version of a tangy orange soda. This recipe has been developed for individual portions, but remember, you never have to follow the rules to the tee.

50ml of Ballantine’s Passion is the alcohol of choice here. It’s a unique whisky spirit drink that blends the depth of Scotch with light and bright tropical flavours like honeydew melon, kiwi and grapefruit, making for a summer flavour profile paradise.

Simply add Ballantine’s Passion, a can of orange soda, ice cubes and fresh orange slices to your beach bucket for a seriously tasty and zesty beach bucket cocktail that can be made in minutes.

Feel free to add more fresh fruit and load up on the summer cocktail accessories for maximum effect.

Stay Berry Pitcher

We’re ending our trio of beach bucket cocktail recipes with a very berry option that will break up the citrusy drinks nicely.

The Stay Berry Pitcher blends our classic Ballantine’s Finest with Crème de Mûre blackberry liqueur for a lush flavour sensation. The Crème de Mûre also gives this whisky cocktail a beautiful corally red colour that exudes summery vibes and looks great in a beach bucket.

Elderflower cordial adds a delicate floral edge to this fruity pitcher, but just a touch so it’s not overpowering. The addition of plenty of soda water and cranberry juice makes this beach bucket cocktail a long drink to sip happily through a novelty straw while lounging poolside or by the sea under summer skies… pure bliss.

Be sure to add plenty of apple slices, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries to intensify the very berry vibes.

If you’ve got to the end of these recipes without dreaming of balmy summer days enjoying fruity beach bucket cocktails in great company, we’ll eat our hat… or cocktail umbrella. Grab your buckets, pick your recipes and quench that summer thirst – cheers!

Stay Berry Pitcher

The pitcher perfect berry goodness, with Ballatine’s Finest, apple slices, red berries, lemon juice, Crème de Mûre, Elderflower cordial, Cranberry juice, and topped with Soda water.

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Got the taste of summer? We have plenty more summer cocktail recipes available in our whisky drinks collection. From whisky fruity favourites to refreshing ice teas, there’s something for you to enjoy this summer.

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