Crushing It in the Summer Drinks Market.

When the weather heats up, so does the demand for light, refreshing, and Instagram-ready drinks. But this year, one particular pour is stealing the spotlight — a crisp combination of gin and grapefruit soda that’s gone from cult favourite to national talking point.

From Norwich to Newcastle, it’s pouring in pints and flying out by the tray‑load — with over 50,000 pints sold across UK venues in just six months. With a feature in the national food press and a growing social media following, this serve is quickly becoming the drink of the summer.

It’s citrusy. Cold. Light, with a clean hit of gin and just enough sweetness to keep it sessionable. And the best part? It’s ridiculously easy to make.

A Pint That Pours Like a Winner

Call it what you like — a long drink, a spritz, a ‘summer pour’ — this gin-grapefruit combo is fast becoming the drink customers didn’t know they wanted. It hits all the right notes:

• Light but flavourful
• Familiar ingredients with a twist
• Looks great in a glass
• Quick to serve, even during the rush

Many venues who’ve added it to their menu say it flies out as fast as the first round of beers on a sunny afternoon. Pint-sized serves, in particular, are proving popular — especially with customers who want something more interesting than a basic mixer, but without the sugar hit of a full cocktail.

How to Serve It

This one’s built for speed and simplicity.

DIY Gin-Grapefruit Long Drink (pint serve)

• 50ml gin
• 150–200ml grapefruit soda (use a premium mixer, canned, or kegged)
• Pour over ice in a pint glass
• Optional: garnish with grapefruit wedge or a splash of lemon juice

You can batch it in jugs, serve from a keg, or mix it fresh to order — whatever suits your setup. Either way, it delivers fast.

Why This One’s Working

There are a few reasons this serve is resonating:

• It feels fresh – a break from heavy beers and syrupy cocktails
• It’s scalable – works whether you’re a pub garden or a festival bar
• It’s social-ready – bright, crisp, and guaranteed to look good on camera

As a result, it’s showing up more frequently on drinks boards and menus, especially in high-footfall venues.

Summer Is for Smart Drinks

You don’t need to tear up your drinks menu — just add something that makes sense for the season. This one’s easy to make, looks great in the glass, and customers are already asking for it.

The gin and grapefruit long drink ticks all the boxes: low effort, high appeal, and a decent margin. Whether you batch it for busy weekends or just offer it by the glass, it’s the kind of serve that gets people ordering a second round.

Try it as a weekend special, highlight it on your board, or feature it at your next event. If it goes well — and early signs say it will — it could easily become a summer staple.