From drinks inspired by Slumdog Millionaire to elegant and classic combinations, there's a cocktail to quench every thirst this summer...

1. Raspberry Collins
Squeeze and drop three lemon wedges into a cocktail shaker, add 15ml sugar syrup, 25ml of raspberry purée, 60ml of a good gin and top up with cubed ice; give the whole thing a big shake and strain into a Collins glass (a tall tumbler). Top up with soda and garnish with a lemon wedge and a couple of fresh raspberries.

Raspberry Collins

2. Tamarind Margarita
Yes, 'Slumdog' cocktails, with their sweet-sour combinations and array of spices, are all the rage this summer. Here's one that's basically an adaptation of the classic margarita. Pour 50ml of tequila, 5ml of tamarind concentrate, a cup of crushed ice and 15ml sugar syrup into a blender and blend until smooth ice peaks form. Rim a chilled margarita glass with chilli powder (or mild paprika for the fainter of heart) and pour in the contents.

Tamarind Margarita

3. Pisco Sour
In the absence of the Chilean pica lemon that gives this irresistible Chilean cocktail so much refreshing flavour, pour 50ml pisco, 15ml sugar syrup, 20ml fresh lemon juice and 2 drops of Angostura Bitters into a cocktail shaker. Fill with cubed ice and add about one-tenth of an egg white (put it in last). Shake vigorously and strain into a tumbler filled with cubed ice and garnish with a lemon slice.

Pisco Sour

4. Sangria
Don't knock this Viva España classic: a well-made sangria can be one of summer's most refreshing long drinks. In a large punch bowl, dissolve a tablespoon of honey in a bottle of a youthful rioja, add 500ml each of orange juice and grape juice. Pour 300ml Spanish or other brandy with a half each of a finely sliced orange, lemon and apple; chill for 24 hours. Add ice cubes before serving.

Sangria

5.Kir Royale
Canon Félix Kir, the popular anti-Nazi Mayor of Dijon, is one of the most famous cases of a man who gave his name to a drink. The classic Kir consists of crème de cassis and aligoté; for the Kir Royale, pour 15ml of crème de cassis into a champagne flute, and fill with an ice-cold crémant de Bourgogne or champagne. Simple as that.

Kir Royale

6. Caipirinha
Using the cane sugar spirit cachaça as the base for this popular Brazilian cocktail, take a whole organic lime, quartered, three brown sugar cubes and crush in a tumbler to release the juices. Add 50ml of cachaça, fill the glass up with crushed ice and stir. For a more exotic twist on this classic, add either 35ml of mango or fig purée and garnish with a slice of the respective fruit.

Caipirinha

7. Elderflower Champagne Cocktail
Using a good elderflower liqueur (one of this summer's flavours) such as St Germain, (£14.99, Waitrose), pour one part St Germain to three-quarters chilled fizz into a champagne flute and enjoy this heady elixir. Add a twist of lemon, and adjust quantities for sweetness.

Elderflower Champagne Cocktail

8. Mumbatini
Another summery 'Slumdog' concoction ... for this little number, you need to pour 50ml vodka and 15ml each of lime juice and sugar syrup into a cocktail shaker along with cubed ice. Add 4-5 slithers of fresh ginger and 4 curry leaves, shake well and strain into a martini glass. Drop in a curry leaf sprig for decoration.

Mumbatini

9. Bellini
In homage to the Venetian painter Giovanni Bellini, the eponymous cocktail was created by Giuseppe Cipriani in 1943 at Harry's Bar in Venice to celebrate an exhibition by the artist. Use freshly puréed peaches for total authenticity, or cheat by mixing one part Funkin white peach purée (funkin.co.uk) and 3-4 parts chilled prosecco, such as Tesco's Finest, in a champagne flute and stir gently.

Bellini

10. Tommy's Grapefruit Margarita
Agave syrup is the secret to this gorgeous cocktail. Moisten a margarita glass by rubbing a lime wedge around its rim and dip it in sea-salt flakes. Pour 15ml of agave syrup into a cocktail shaker, squeeze and drop in 4 lime wedges. Add 40ml of golden tequila, 20ml of fresh pink grapefruit juice and shake with cubed ice. Strain into the glass carefully.

Tommy's Grapefruit Margarita

11. Watermelon Bramble
Mash a large chunk of fresh watermelon in a cocktail shaker, add 50ml gin (use vodka if you prefer), 20ml fresh lemon juice and a dash of sugar syrup. Shake with cubed ice and strain through a fine-meshed tea strainer into a highball glass filled with cubed ice. Garnish with a large slice of watermelon and drizzle in 15ml of crème de cassis.

Watermelon Bramble

12. Pomegranate Gin Martini with Champagne Granita
Make the granita (not shown) 3-4 hours before: bring 125ml lemon juice, 250g caster sugar and 250ml water to the boil; simmer 5 minutes. Stir a bottle of champagne into the cooled syrup, pour in a container, cover with clingfilm and freeze for 3 hours, breaking up the crystals every hour. Freeze shot glasses 2 hours before serving. Spoon in granita at the last minute. For the martini, crush pomegranate seeds, add 50ml gin, 10ml lemon juice and 5ml sugar syrup. Shake with cubed ice, strain into a martini glass.

Pomegranate Gin Martini with Champagne Granita