Down the hatch: the new Pimm's

Just occasionally, wouldn't it be good to be the person who, instead of parading that same old jug of Pimm's and lemonade, wows everyone with a new summer drink?

This year, we think it's all about the brandy punch, which is hitting Brighton Festival on Friday and the Secret Garden Party later this summer.

The younger among you might squirm at the mention of cognac, something you'd usually associate with your grandad, but put a jug of this together with bitters and citrus fruits and summer is sorted. If you're feeling lazy, head to Hawksmoor in Spitalfields or Seven Dials for a four-person punchbowl (£30, thehawksmoor.co.uk), or to Artesian bar at The Langham Hotel near Regent's Street (£15 per glass, artesian-bar.co.uk).

But if you've got friends coming over, making your own is not as hard as you think. For one bowl, mix 250ml of Courvoisier VS with 750ml of lemonade and 20 dashes of Angostura Bitters. Add some orange and lemon wheels and you're good to go.