Expert tips to make the perfect summer cocktails revealed

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More than half of Britons plan to make their own cocktails this summer
Head mixologist at TheBar.com Kenji Jesse shares his secrets
You don't have to be an expert to update these classic concoctions

By Anucyia Victor for MailOnline

Published: 05:36 EST, 14 June 2015 | Updated: 06:15 EST, 14 June 2015

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Parties are incomplete without a cocktail but what's the secret to making the perfect tipple?

According to mixologists, this summer it's all about replacing sugar syrup with honey, using an egg cup to measure spirits, and switching soda water for ginger ale for an extra-zingy mojito.

Classic libations like a gin and tonic or Pimms will never go out of fashion, but connoisseurs are looking for new ways to updates the old favourites - without breaking the bank.

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Summer get-togethers are incomplete without a cocktail but what's the secret to making the perfect tipple?

Classic flavours: Pimms and Lemonade with cucumber, strawberries, orange and mint

And cocktail website Thebar.com says that nearly half (46 per cent) of Londoners plan to host or attend a cocktail party this summer.

Pimm's and Lemonade are popular in the south, with 20 per cent opting for the refreshing classics, while northerners are partial to a G&T (17 per cent).

And in Scotland, young drinkers could be turning their backs on whisky to opt for rum-based mojitos, the website says.

You don't need to be related to Tom Cruise or have a chemistry degree to make mouthwatering cocktails at home.

Over a third of us (34 per cent) are getting stuck in and mixing up our own creations at home and cocktail-drinking is also on the rise with a third (33 per cent) of Brits drinking more mixed drinks than they did five years ago.

Summer get-togethers are no longer a run-of-the-mill occasions either, with more than half (59 per cent) of those surveyed claiming that the holiday period is the perfect time for drinking cocktails and 51 per cent revealing that cocktails are the perfect BBQ drink.

Cocktail drinking is on the rise and more than half of Britons think they are the perfect BBQ accompaniment

Here TheBar's head mixologist Kenji Jesse shared some of his tried and tested tips to make a perfect cocktail with FEMAIL.

From using an egg cup to measure spirits and crushing ice with a rolling pin to adding fresh berries to your gin for a G&T with a twist, here are ten ways to elevate your drink from a regular to spectacular

1. Honey instead of sugar

No sugar syrup? Replace with two teaspoons of sugar or a squeeze of honey.

2. Use your fruitbowl for inspiration

Add your favourite fruit to personalise your cocktail.

3. Go ginger

With a mojito you can switch the soda water with ginger ale for extra zing.

4. Pre-freeze glasses

Chill your glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before making your cocktail.

Classic Gin and tonic (left) and the updated version with berries (right)

Slicing limes for a mojito: You don't need to be an expert mixologist to create a delicious cocktail

Vodka and cranberry with a lime twist (left) and a simple Bloody Mary (right)

5. Bash ice with a rolling pin

No special bar equipment is needed; to crush ice just grab a rolling pin and smash the ice cubes before you top up your glass.

6. Use egg cups

Egg cups can double up as great measuring cups.

7. Choose ice blocks over cubes

Bigger ice blocks dilute much more slowly and keep liquid colder for longer, so don't throw away those empty ice cream containers - fill them up with water and keep them in the freezer.

8.Add your favourite ingredients

Add a teaspoon of jam or some fresh berries to personalise your caiproska. You can mix these to suit any flavour preference.

9.Stock up on limes

The key ingredient for many cocktails is a nice big, juicy lime.

10. Shake it in a jar

The ultimate secret weapon for cocktail-making is jam jars! They're great for shaking up cocktails and they double up as a great glass to serve your creation in.

Updated cocktails: Johnnie Walker and ginger ale for whisky ginger (left) G&T with berries

RECIPES: CLASSIC COCKTAILS WITH A TWIST

Vodka crammed with berries

Ingredients: One part Smirnoff; four parts cranberry juice; lime

Method: Fill the glass to the top with ice. Pour in the Smirnoff, top with a splash of cranberry and a squeeze of lime. Finish with lime wedge to serve.

Bloody Easy Mary

Ingredients: One part Smirnoff; four parts tomato juice; lemon, Tabasco or Worchestershire sauce; celery

Method: Fill your glass with ice. Ass the Smirnoff, a generous glug of tomato juice and a squeeze of lemon. The splash in a touch of Tabasco or Worchestershire sauce. Dust your drink with salt and pepper and finish with a stirring stick of celery.

The Pimm Daddy

Ingredients: One part Pimms; four parts lemonade; strawberries; orange; cucumber; mint

Method: Load up the glass with ice and pour in the Pimms then fill the rest of the glass with lemonade. Garnish with layers of starberry, orange and cucumber and top off with a few mint leaves.

Mojito Mash UP with Captain Morgan spiced rum, lime, ginger ale and mit

Mojito Mash Up

Ingredients: One part Captain Morgan original spiced rum; lime; half part sugar syrup; two parts soda water or ginger ale; mint

Method: Throw a handful of mint leaves, the sugar syrup and three lime wedges into a glass. Mash together to release the flavours. Load the glass with ice and top up with rum. Give it a good stir and garnish with a sprig of mint before serving.

Whisky ginger

Ingredients: One part Johnnie Walker red label; four parts ginger ale; lime

Method: Stack the glass with ice. Pour over the Johnnie Walker, top with ginger ale and a touch of lime. Finish with a lime wedge.

OMG G&T

Ingredients: One part Gordons or Tanqueray; four parts tonic; lime; fresh berries

Method: Pack the glass with ice; tip in the Gordons or Tanqueray, top with tonic and a squeeze of lime. To serve sprinkle fresh berries on top.

Learn how to make five of the best gin cocktails in the world