[STANDFIRST] These star serves, spritzers and tropical concoctions are made to be sipped in the sunshine, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

Time to pack up your cocktail shaker, large jug or pitcher, jigger and long-handled bar spoon... we're heading to cocktail summer camp! Where the simplicity of a spritz means you don't have to forage for loads of ingredients, a salted rim enhances flavours, and Caribbean classics offer lots of fruity fun in the sun.

Tempted to join us? Whether you're setting up 'camp' in the park, garden or at home, give these summer cocktails a try...

Grey Goose Salty Dog

Salt with vodka? Try it and you'll find salt lends itself perfectly to vodka and grapefruit. With a burst of freshness, the contrasting flavours of Grey Goose Vodka (£39, 70cl, Tesco) with sharp grapefruit and a salted rim will make you want to dive right in. And Grey Goose suggest there's a Salty Dog for every palate; play around with the side of salt (we recommend Maldon Sea Salt Flakes) and try flavouring it with chilli, cardamom or dehydrated lime.

Ingredients: 20ml Grey Goose, 40ml fresh grapefruit juice, lime quarter, salt.

Method: Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka and grapefruit juice, shake vigorously and strain into a salted-rim Collins glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime quarter.

Disaronno Velvet

Don't be surprised if you feel like the cat that got the cream with Diasaronno's new summer release - Disaronno Velvet Liqueur (£15, 50cl, Morrisons) - destined to put its name back up in lights. With the same characteristic nutty, almond taste as the original, but a lighter version at 17% abv compared to 28% abv, this silky smooth cream liqueur tastes utterly delicious served over ice.

Bombay Sapphire Gin and Tonic Spritz

A G&T with the addition of bitters to knock your summer socks off, the bitter botanicals in Martini Bitters plays perfectly together with the fresh citrus and juniper flavours in Bombay Sapphire Gin (£22, 70cl, Sainsbury's), topped with tonic to release more botanical notes.

Ingredients: 25ml Bombay Sapphire, 15ml Martini Bitters, 15ml lemon juice, 15ml honey syrup (3 parts honey, 1 part water), premium tonic water, half an orange wheel.

Method: Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the Bombay, Martini, lemon juice and syrup. Shake vigorously and strain into a large wine glass half filled with ice. Top with tonic, stir gently and garnish with the orange wheel.

Darker Don

Inspired by Papa Isio, a key figure in the Philippine revolution, Don Papa Rum (£32, 70cl, Sainsbury's) is noticeably dark and rich. Made from the finest sugar cane and aged in American oak for more than seven years for those punchy, fruity, toffee notes, it's packed with vanilla, cinnamon, sultanas and raisins and makes an ideal foundation for cocktails. Here's one of their signature recipes...

Ingredients: 45ml Don Papa, 15ml Calamansi Juice (optional - a Philippine citrus fruit similar to lemon and limes), 45ml ginger beer, 2 dashes bitters, lime wedge, mint to garnish.

Method: Half fill a highball glass with ice. Squeeze the juice of half a lime, add the rum (juice if you're tempted by its fruitiness) and top with the spicy ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with a mint leaf.

Cotswolds Summer Cup

A fiery summer cup, Cotswolds have taken their award-winning dry gin and laced it with their handcrafted vermouth, triple sec and splash of Spirited Sherry to create a refreshing, bittersweet spirit. Rich, spicy and complex with a fruity kick, Cotswolds Summer Cup (£29.95, 70cl, Cotswold Distillery) is styled for summer soirees and garden parties and really hits the spot.

Ingredients: 1 part Cotswolds Summer Cup, 2 parts lemonade or ginger ale, fresh fruit, mint, lots of ice.

Method: Half fill a large balloon glass with ice, add the Summer Cup, top with lemonade or ginger ale, stir gently and garnish with fresh fruit.