In summer, it’s worth investigating a cocktail that is light; perfect to accompany long sun-lit days, evenings by the beach and the sense of a holiday. Travel with me to the nearest beach with the aptly named Sea Breeze cocktail.

Imagine lying on the sand, the last few rays of sun warming your torso. Smell the salty atmosphere that accompanies the gentle patter of the waves as they lap at the shore.

Wouldn’t you like a drink just about now?

Like all cocktails, this one is a matter of blending and balancing something strong and something weak (alcohol vs juice) and something sweet and something sour (cranberry vs grapefruit juice). Varying the measurements will create something that is sweeter, stronger, weaker, bitter – or just better, depending on your taste.

Ingredients

• 50 ml Vodka. I would recommend unflavoured vodka for this cocktail since the other flavours will get in the way of the juices.
• 100 ml Cranberry Juice
• 50 ml Grapefruit Juice

Directions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice. The more ice you use, the longer the drink will remain colder. This is ideal if you’re drinking on a beach or in the sun. If you’re going to stay indoors, perhaps a little less ice is called for.
2. Pour the juices and the vodka into the glass.
3. Stir the lot for 10 seconds.
4. Cut a wedge of lime to use as garnish

You can see why it is suited for the summer months. You don’t want to have a head full of alcohol if you’re out in the sun, of course. Anyone drinking Sea Breezes is therefore not as heavy a drinker as someone drinking stronger cocktails – a fact highlighted by Al Pacino in his Oscar-winning performance in ‘Scent of a Woman’ when he corrects his sarcastic nephew at Thanksgiving dinner:

How do you like your Sea Breezes? Experiment and then leave your tips in the comments below.