Strawberry cocktails can be subtle

I like sweeter drinks in summer — they tend to work well with grilled dinners and feel more refreshing as the temperature rises. And now that strawberries are readily available and sweet, it’s the right time to play around with infusions and modern takes on some classic cocktails.

A rum cocktail — the mojito — gets a slightly sweet makeover when you add strawberries. This strawberry basil mojito is candy for your eye and mouth.

Girly, fizzy and delicious no matter what your gender, the strawberry smash is great for cocktail parties. A mix of white rum, sparkling wine, herbs and strawberries, this packs a kick that will sneak up on you.

Strawberries’ sweetness also goes well with gin. The Bloodhound Cocktail uses vermouth, gin and crushed strawberries to make a slightly tart, strikingly red cocktail. For a twist on another classic, try adding strawberries to a Pimm’s Cup — a seasonal drink popular in Britain made with Pimms No. 1.