You need not be a mixologist or have a fully stocked bar to serve up something fabulous for your guests.

• Pretty up your bubbly. There is something undeniably convivial and festive about popping open a bottle of bubbly. Prosecco is my go-to to stockpile year round and serve. For summer, doll it up with berries, citrus zest, or a splash of a good quality fruit juice (pear and peach are nice).
• Use frozen fruit as souped up ice cubes. They won't dilute a drink the way ice does, plus the effect looks summery, adding some colour and flavour as they melt. Grab a few extra ice cubes trays and freeze the fruit of your choice in them.
• Whip up fancy syrups. Bring two parts sugar to one part water to boil in a pot. Once simmering, toss in a handful of herbs from your garden and leave it for a few minutes. Cool and strain, and mix away. Gin is fantastic with savouries like thyme and rosemary.
• Master a sangria. Experiment with a few recipes to get one that you love (weekend drinking assignment!). Sangrias are the stews of cocktails, in the sense that you can add almost anything you've got on hand. They are also great for putting otherwise mediocre wines to work. Stick with dry wines as sangria is sweetened by the other ingredients. Try white sangria with Pinot Grigio or cava, a liquer (cointreau, brandy) and any white flesh fruit like peaches or pears. Add your juice of choice to taste. Or, grab a bottle of Rioja, brandy, and pomegranate juice and whatever berries you can find for a classic red sangria.
• Muddle the waters. White spirits like rum and vodka are easily paired with soda and can be muddled with whatever herbs and fruit you have handy. Rum, lime and mint make for a classic mojito, or try blueberries with thyme, or basil with berries. Vodka, watermelon and mint are summer in a glass, too.

We can't talk cocktails without mentioning responsible hosting. Always stock tons of non-alcoholic options and feed your guests liberally. Be mindful of how much you drink, so you can look after your guests.

Happy hosting!

Loading Slideshow

• Ingredient: Champagne

  Use champagne (<a href="http://www.lifeinitaly.com/wines/prosecco.asp" target="_hplink">Prosecco</a> is a plus) to make this delicious treat...a <strong>Bellini!</strong> <blockquote>4 oz. champagne (or, you know, more) <br>2 oz. fruit juice or puree</blockquote> Put the fruit juice in the glass, slowly add champagne. Enjoy!

• Ingredient: Simple Syrup

  After you make your own syrup, try this delicious drink...a <strong>Bourbon Stone Sour!</strong> <blockquote>1.5 oz. Bourbon <br>3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice <br>1 oz. orange juice <br>1 oz. simple syrup </blockquote> Shake with ice and strain into glass. Garnish with an orange slice or maraschino cherry.

• Ingredient: Fruit

  Making fruit ice cubes is a cute and fun way to pretty up (and sweeten up) your summer drinks. These are especially good for non-alcoholic drinks for kids or adults! Try this <strong>Frothy Strawberry Mocktail!</strong> <blockquote>8 oz. fresh strawberries <br>10 oz. fresh orange juice</blockquote> Blend ingredients together with ice, add strawberry ice cubes to brighten up your punch bowl!

• Ingredient: Wine

  Everybody loves refreshing <strong>Sangria!</strong> Especially because you get the chance to be creative -- every pitcher can have a new flavour. Here's a recipe for <strong>Ginger Sangria!</strong> <blockquote>1 bottle red wine <br>2 oz. gin or triple sec <br>orange, lime, lemon cut into wedges <br>2 tbsp. sugar <br>1 cup of berries (your choice) <br>4 cups gingerale <br>a splash of OJ</blockquote> Combine wine, gin, orange juice, sugar and all the fruit wedges (with the juice squeezed into the pitcher). Chill overnight. Add gingerale, ice and berries before serving. (Or, if this is last-minute, use chilled wine and lots of ice and skip the waiting!)

• Ingredient: Anything muddled

  Herbs like mint, basil and thyme can be great in drinks, adding bold flavour. Muddling, or crushing, those ingredients sets the flavour free. Try a classic <strong>Mojito</strong> to let mint do the talking! <blockquote>6 oz. light run <br>12 mint sprigs <br>6 tbsp. fresh lime juice <br>4 tbsp. sugar <br>4 lime wedges <br>club soda <br>serves: 4</blockquote> Roughly break the mint leaves (muddle!) in the shaker. Add ice, rum, sugar and soda and shake. Garnish with lime (and more mint!)

Follow Karen Cleveland on Twitter: www.twitter.com/schoolfinishing