Got a summer night coming up and you're sick of serving mojitos and spritzes that everyone's had a million times? These 3 original cocktails — Bella Luna, Violet Kiss, and Madeleine — are exactly what you need: dead easy to make, look absolutely stunning, and totally different from what your mates are used to. We'll give you the ingredients, a 3-step recipe, and the perfect moment to serve each one. Plus a bonus mocktail section and a quick guide to setting up a summer bar without breaking the bank.
- Bella Luna: the floral cocktail that makes an impact
- Violet Kiss: fruity, colourful, and ready to go viral
- Madeleine: the indulgent cocktail that hits you with nostalgia (but better)
- The alcohol-free versions: same vibe, zero proof
- The summer home bar: what you actually need to get through the night
- Presentation that actually matters (without overthinking it)
- Cocktail in hand, game on: the winning combo
- Quick reference table for all 3 cocktails
- FAQ
🌙 Bella Luna: the floral cocktail that makes an impact
Bella Luna is the kind of cocktail that lands on the table and makes people go "wait, what even is that?" before they've taken a single sip. Smooth, lightly fizzy, with a pastel hue that absolutely pops in the sunset light — it's made for terraces, chill evenings, and the kind of pre-drinks that start off nice and easy. And the best bit? It takes less than 5 minutes to make.
Ingredients (for 1 glass)
- 4 cl gin (London Dry style works great, but honestly any gin will do)
- 2 cl elderflower liqueur (or elderflower syrup for something lighter)
- 1 cl fresh lemon juice
- 8 cl tonic water (or sparkling water)
- A handful of ice cubes
- Garnish: a slice of lime or an edible flower if you're feeling fancy
Recipe in 3 steps
- Fill a big glass with ice. Pour in the gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Stir gently with a long spoon (or a straw, no judgment).
- Top with ice-cold tonic, garnish with a lime slice, and serve straight away.
When does it really shine?
Bella Luna is perfect for a relaxed pre-drinks session, a dinner party with 6-8 people, or when you want to kick off the night on an elegant note without going too heavy. Its floral notes and light body make it an ideal welcome cocktail too — the kind of drink you hand to your mates as soon as they arrive that sets the whole vibe for the evening.
"I made Bella Luna for a late-summer terrace gathering. Everyone asked for the recipe before they'd even finished their glass. Takes 3 minutes, looks incredible." — the kind of feedback we love.
Pro tip
If you can't find elderflower liqueur, lychee syrup or rose syrup works brilliantly and gives you similar floral notes. The GingerLitchi in the Traknard app actually plays with these same floral-fruity notes — good inspiration if you want to switch things up.
💜 Violet Kiss: fruity, colourful, and ready to go viral
Violet Kiss is the cocktail everyone photographs before they drink it. The violet-pink colour is naturally Instagram-worthy, the fruity-tart taste is instantly accessible, and it comes together as fast as pouring a glass of juice. Exactly what you need when it's hot, the group's buzzing, and you want a drink that looks as good as it tastes.
Ingredients (for 1 glass)
- 4 cl vodka (or gin if you want something more aromatic)
- 3 cl blueberry juice (or blackcurrant — both give you that gorgeous violet colour)
- 2 cl fresh lemon juice
- 1 cl violet syrup (or raspberry syrup if you're stuck)
- 6 cl sparkling water or lemonade
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: a few fresh blueberries or a lemon slice
Recipe in 3 steps
- In a shaker (or a big glass with a spoon), mix the vodka, blueberry juice, lemon juice, and violet syrup with ice.
- Shake or stir hard for about 10 seconds.
- Pour into a cocktail glass or a big glass with ice, top with sparkling water, and garnish with a few blueberries.
When does it really shine?
Violet Kiss is built for lively happy hours, game nights, and pre-drinks that are heating up. That bright colour always gets a reaction when you set the glasses down — and the fruity-tart taste appeals to pretty much everyone, even the non-cocktail drinkers in your group. It's also perfect if you're doing a DIY cocktail bar situation where everyone makes their own: the recipe's simple, the ingredients are easy to share.
Pro tip
For an even more dramatic visual effect, pour the blueberry juice into the glass first, then carefully add the rest on top — you'll get a violet-to-clear gradient that genuinely looks incredible. No bartending skills required.
🍋 Madeleine: the indulgent cocktail that hits you with nostalgia (but better)
Madeleine is the cocktail that catches you off guard. Smooth, slightly tart, with something familiar that tugs at your memory — like you've tasted this before somewhere, but this version is better. It works just as well at the end of the night as it does as a digestif, and it's got that rare quality: it appeals to cocktail lovers and cocktail-avoiders equally. An instant classic.
Ingredients (for 1 glass)
- 4 cl white rum (or amber rum for more richness)
- 2 cl fresh lemon juice
- 1.5 cl madeleine syrup (or vanilla syrup + a pinch of lemon zest)
- 3 cl pineapple juice
- A handful of ice cubes
- Garnish: a madeleine biscuit balanced on the rim of the glass (yes, really — it's a vibe)
Recipe in 3 steps
- Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice.
- Shake well for about 15 seconds to mix and chill properly.
- Strain into a cocktail glass or a rocks glass with ice, and balance a small madeleine on the rim for garnish.
When does it really shine?
Madeleine is the ultimate late-night cocktail — when the vibe's settled, conversations get deeper, and you want something smooth and comforting. It also works brilliantly as a digestif after a summer meal, or as a signature cocktail if you're having mates over for the first time and want to impress them with something unexpected.
The madeleine garnish sounds a bit cheesy on paper. In reality, it's the detail everyone talks about. And you get to eat it after. Double win.
Pro tip
If you can't find madeleine syrup (fair enough, it's niche), mix 1 cl vanilla syrup + 0.5 cl caramel syrup + a few drops of lemon juice. You'll get something very close. You can also swap the pineapple juice for peach juice if you want something even smoother.
🥤 The alcohol-free versions: same vibe, zero proof
Because everyone deserves a proper drink — whether you're driving tonight, you don't drink alcohol, or you just fancy keeping your head clear — here are the mocktail versions of all 3 cocktails. Same look, same refreshment, zero alcohol.
Bella Luna alcohol-free
- Swap the gin for plain tonic or sparkling water
- Keep the elderflower syrup (or lychee), lemon juice, and ice
- Result: a floral, fizzy mocktail that's incredibly refreshing and looks identical to the original
Violet Kiss alcohol-free
- Swap the vodka for white grape juice or sparkling apple juice
- Keep the blueberry juice, lemon juice, violet syrup, and sparkling water
- The colour stays stunning and the fruity-tart taste is completely intact — no one will notice the difference
Madeleine alcohol-free
- Swap the rum for amber apple juice or pear juice to keep the richness
- Keep the vanilla/caramel syrup, lemon juice, and pineapple juice
- Don't forget the madeleine on the rim — that's the detail that makes it, alcohol or not
The golden rule for a proper mocktail: don't just remove the alcohol. You need to replace it with something that brings body and complexity — a dense fruit juice, a well-chosen syrup, or sparkling water for texture. With these swaps, your non-drinking mates will have a drink that's just as thoughtful as everyone else's.
🧊 The summer home bar: what you actually need to get through the night
You don't need a pro bar setup or a wine cellar to nail these 3 recipes. With a smart list of ingredients and minimal kit, you can run a whole evening without stress — and improvise if mates show up unexpectedly.
The base spirits (keep these stocked)
- Gin: versatile, floral, essential for Bella Luna and loads of other drinks
- Vodka: neutral, works with anything, crucial for Violet Kiss
- White rum: the backbone of Madeleine, also brilliant for a mojito or impromptu Dark'N Stormy
The syrups and juices (the real game-changers)
- Elderflower or lychee syrup
- Violet or raspberry syrup
- Vanilla syrup (multi-purpose)
- Fresh lemon juice (essential — bottled is only for emergencies)
- Blueberry or blackcurrant juice
- Pineapple or peach juice
The bar essentials
- Tonic water and sparkling water: buy loads, you'll use more than you think
- Ice: make it the day before or grab a bag — you always run out
- Fresh citrus: lemons, limes — for juicing and garnishes
- Fresh herbs: mint, basil — for decoration and flavour
The minimum kit
- A cocktail shaker (or honestly, a screw-top jar works just fine)
- A long bar spoon for stirring
- A citrus juicer or just a fork to squeeze juice
- Various glasses: tall glasses, cocktail glasses, whatever — as long as they're clean and cold
The real secret: prep ahead
To avoid spending your whole night behind the bar, prep the bases in advance: mix spirit + juice + syrups in a jug and stick it in the fridge. When it's time to serve, just pour over ice and top with sparkling water. Takes 30 seconds per drink and you stay with your mates.
✨ Presentation that actually matters (without overthinking it)
A proper cocktail is served with the eyes first. The good news: the wow factor doesn't take 20 minutes. Here are 4 quick tricks to make your drinks look genuinely polished.
- The right glass does 50% of the work. A tall transparent glass shows off the cocktail's colour. A stemmed glass gives instant elegance. Skip plastic cups if you can — or at least go for coloured ones for the vibe.
- Simple garnish, massive difference. A citrus slice on the rim, 3 blueberries on the ice, a mint leaf clapped in your palm before placing it (releases the aroma) — takes 10 seconds and transforms a basic drink into something Instagram-worthy.
- Homemade ice. Fill your ice tray the night before with filtered water for clearer cubes. You can even freeze a mint leaf or lemon zest inside — looks brilliant as it melts.
- Coloured or stainless steel straws. A small detail that costs nothing and instantly gives you that cocktail bar feel. Bonus: stainless steel or bamboo straws are reusable and better for the planet.
The idea isn't to turn every drink into a photo shoot. It's just about adding one visual detail per glass — a garnish, a colour, a texture — so your mates want to drink it before they've even tasted it.
🎮 Cocktail in hand, game on: the winning combo
A good cocktail hits even better when there's something happening around it. Because at some point, even the best Violet Kiss won't save a night that's running out of steam — and that's where Traknard comes in.
The app's got dozens of party games perfect for your summer bar. Truth or Dare to warm things up from the start, Never Have I Ever to find out some proper secrets about your mates, or Would You Rather for debates that'll keep you going till 2am. If you want something chilled but still fun, Blind Test is perfect for a music-focused night.
The perfect summer combo: Violet Kiss in hand, Truth or Dare on the screen, terrace open. That's it. You don't need anything else.
Traknard also has a cocktails section in the app with recipes like Blue Hawaiian, GingerLitchi, and Cocumbeer — reworked classics and original creations to keep things fresh all night. Handy when you want to do a second round without Googling a recipe.
And if the night's really heating up, The Triplet or The Tribunal are there to handle the big debates and group verdicts. With or without a drink in hand, it works.
📊 Quick reference: all 3 cocktails at a glance
| Cocktail | Base spirit | Flavour profile | Difficulty | Best moment | Mocktail swap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bella Luna | Gin | Floral, light, fizzy | ⭐ Easy | Pre-drinks, terrace, welcome drink | Tonic + elderflower syrup + lemon |
| Violet Kiss | Vodka (or gin) | Fruity, tart, colourful | ⭐ Easy | Lively happy hour, game night, pre-drinks | White grape juice + blueberry + lemon |
| Madeleine | White rum | Smooth, indulgent, slightly tart | ⭐⭐ Medium | Late night, digestif, dinner | Amber apple juice + vanilla + pineapple |
| Bella Luna (variant) | Floral gin | Very floral, delicate | ⭐ Easy | Chill evening, after dinner | Sparkling water + lychee syrup |
| Violet Kiss (variant) | Gin | More aromatic, less neutral | ⭐ Easy | Summer terrace happy hour | Sparkling apple juice + blackcurrant |
| Madeleine (smooth version) | Amber rum | Richer, caramelised | ⭐⭐ Medium | Digestif, cosy evening | Pear juice + caramel syrup |
| Bella Luna mocktail | None | Floral, fizzy, fresh | ⭐ Very easy | Any time, driving included | Full alcohol-free version |
| Violet Kiss mocktail | None | Fruity, colourful, tart | ⭐ Very easy | Any time, driving included | Full alcohol-free version |
| Madeleine mocktail | None | Smooth, indulgent, vanilla | ⭐ Easy | Any time, driving included | Full alcohol-free version |
❓ FAQ: original summer cocktails
What are the best original cocktails for a summer night?
Answer: If you want to move past the mojito and spritz that everyone's had a thousand times, look for cocktails with less common flavour profiles. Bella Luna leans into floral notes, Violet Kiss brings fruity-tart colour, and Madeleine plays on that indulgent, nostalgic vibe. All 3 recipes are detailed here with ingredients, steps, and mocktail versions — enough to genuinely surprise your mates without spending hours in the kitchen.
How do you make a cocktail without a shaker?
Answer: Don't stress if you haven't got a shaker. A big glass, a long spoon, and a bit of technique will work for most simple recipes. For cocktails that need proper mixing (like Madeleine), a screw-top jar works perfectly — shake it like a shaker, strain through a fine sieve. For Bella Luna and Violet Kiss, just stirring in the glass is enough.
Can you prep cocktails in advance for a party?
Answer: Absolutely, and it's actually recommended if you're serving multiple people. Prep the bases (spirit + juice + syrups) in a jug and stick it in the fridge. When it's time to serve, just pour over ice and top with tonic or sparkling water. But always add ice, garnishes (citrus slices, fresh herbs), and fizzy elements at the last second to keep everything fresh and looking good.
What ingredients should you have at home to make summer cocktails?
Answer: The versatile essentials: a base spirit (gin, vodka, or rum — ideally all three), fruit juices (fresh lemon, blueberry, pineapple), one or two syrups (elderflower, violet, vanilla), tonic water and sparkling water in quantity, and fresh citrus for garnish. With that lot, you can improvise about 10 different drinks without a special shopping trip.
How do you make an alcohol-free summer cocktail?
Answer: The key is replacing the alcohol with something that brings body — not just water. Dense fruit juice (grape, apple, pear), plain tonic, ice-cold sparkling water, or diluted syrup: there are loads of options. The mocktail versions of all 3 recipes in this article are detailed in their own section — same look, same freshness, zero alcohol.
What's a fruity, colourful cocktail to serve at a summer party?
Answer: Violet Kiss is made for this. Its natural violet-pink colour (thanks to blueberry juice and violet syrup) is instantly photogenic, and the fruity-tart taste appeals to basically everyone. It's the perfect drink for a lively happy hour or game night where you want something that looks as good as it tastes. The mocktail version is just as colourful.
What easy cocktail impresses guests without effort?
Answer: Bella Luna is your secret weapon. Its floral notes and elegant presentation (especially with an edible flower or nice lime slice) make it look like you've put in serious work — when it actually takes less than 5 minutes with just 4 ingredients. It's the perfect welcome drink: hand it to your mates as they arrive and you've set the tone for the whole night.
How many drinks does a 70cl bottle make?
Answer: At 4-6 cl of spirit per cocktail (standard measure), a 70cl bottle gives you 11-17 drinks. In reality, count on 10-12 to be safe. For 8 people having 2-3 drinks each, grab 2 bottles of your base spirit. And remember: the non-alcoholic ingredients (juices, syrups, sparkling water) get used in bigger quantities.
The summary 🎯
To impress without breaking a sweat:
→ Bella Luna — floral, elegant, ready in 5 minutes, perfect as a welcome drink.
For a drink that looks and tastes incredible:
→ Violet Kiss — fruity, colourful, tart, built for lively happy hours and game nights.
To finish the night smoothly:
→ Madeleine — indulgent, nostalgic, with that familiar something that always surprises.
For non-drinkers (and tonight's designated driver):
→ Each recipe has a mocktail version — same care, same look, zero alcohol. Remember to sort a taxi or designated driver to get home.
To keep the night going after the drinks:
→ Traknard, with Truth or Dare, Never Have I Ever, Would You Rather, and dozens of other games — because a good cocktail hits even better with a good activity.
The real question isn't "which cocktail am I making tonight?" It's "why did I serve a spritz last time?" 🔥
Traknard is 18+ only. These recipes contain alcohol — drink responsibly. Alcohol-free versions available for every recipe.
