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81% OF BRITS ARE MAKING THEIR SUMMER PUNCH WRONG, SAY ALDI EXPERTS

23 May, 2025

• 81% of Brits are mixing their summer punch incorrectly
• Just 12% start with lemonade – the first step to getting it right, says Aldi’s spirits expert Pritesh Mody
• Cucumber is king, yet 1 in 5 won’t touch it – and some are throwing in bacon, gherkins and balsamic vinegar instead
• Aldi is helping Brits perfect their pour by slicing 22% off cucumbers nationwide from 22^nd May

Summer punch cocktails are a quintessential British experience, yet new research reveals most Brits are mixing summer drinks all wrong.

With the average drinker enjoying 4.6 glasses this summer, the UK is expected to pour more than 210 million serves.

But according to a survey of over 2,000 adults, 81% of Brits admit to mixing theirs incorrectly – from pouring the spirit first, to leaving out classic garnishes like cucumber, or even throwing in bacon, jelly babies and balsamic vinegar.

A proper ‘summer punch’ starts with lemonade – yet only 12% get that right, according to Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch cocktail expert and Aldi’s drinks specialist, Pritesh Mody:

“A fruity summer punch is the ultimate British tipple – light, refreshing and ideal for enjoying alfresco. But getting the order right is essential.

“Pouring lemonade first helps the heavier spirit mix evenly as it’s added – if you start with the spirit, it sinks to the bottom, leaving early pours weak and later ones too strong. It’s an easy fix that totally transforms the drink.”

The iconic ‘summer punch’ – defined by a punch (such as Aldi’s Austin’s Summer Punch, £8.49) mixed with lemonade, ice and summer garnishes – has been officially crowned the UK’s favourite summer cocktail.

One in three Brits (32%) say it’s their top summer serve, ahead of beer (11%) and G&T (7%).  Even Aperol Spritz (5%) and the Margarita (5%) couldn’t compete.

Yet key ingredients are being skipped. Cucumber, often considered the hero of the jug for its crisp, cooling freshness, is rejected by 18% of drinkers. Even strawberries – a seasonal staple – are shunned by 12%.

And a rogue 7% admit to adding bizarre items including marshmallows, olives, jelly babies and bacon.

To help Brits ‘garnish like a pro’, Aldi is cutting the price of cucumbers by 22% nationwide (from 89p to 69p) from 22^nd May – 4^th June, making it even easier to serve the perfect ‘summer punch’ on a budget.

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, says: “We’re passionate about helping people enjoy the best of summer without overspending.

“Our award-winning Austin’s offers incredible quality at a fraction of the price of the branded alternative – and we’re cutting the cost of cucumbers nationwide to help shoppers garnish like a pro, without breaking the bank.”

It’s not just ingredients that are off: 45% of people don’t measure their pour at all, instead relying on guesswork. And 40–45% say they add extra booze to “upgrade” the jug – with gin, vodka and Prosecco being the top additions.

PRITESH MODY’S FORMULA FOR THE PERFECT SUMMER PUNCH:

1. Start with lemonade

Pour 600ml of classic fizzy lemonade into the jug first. This lifts and blends the punch evenly as you build the drink

2. Avoid the fancy stuff

Skip sharp Sicilian or cloudy lemonades – they’re too dry. A simple lemonade gives the perfect sweet-tangy balance

3. Go heavy on the ice

Add 300g of medium ice cubes (around 3–5cm). It keeps the drink chilled without diluting too fast

4. Measure your spirits

Use 200ml of Austin’s Summer Punch with a 25ml splash of gin for depth. Free-pouring can throw off the balance

5. Garnish generously

Use 80g cucumber slices, 60g halved strawberries, and 40g mint. These are essential for that crisp, garden-fresh finish

6. Add a personal twist

Peach wedges, raspberries, pink grapefruit or fresh basil can elevate the flavour without overpowering it

7. Let it infuse

Chill the finished jug in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to help the fruit and herbs infuse the punch

8. Serve it right

Pour into large spritz or wine glasses filled with more ice and infused fruit. It keeps things cool and looks the part

Aldi’s Austin’s Summer Punch (£8.49, 70cl), which came up tops in Which? taste test^[1], is available in stores nationwide now.

Aldi’s Nature’s Pick Cucumbers are reduced from 89p to 69p in stores from 22^nd May – 4^th June.

-ENDS-

[1] Aldipresscentre.co.uk (sourced 21^st May 2025)