Mixing with Sasha Starr: Sapphire Summer Punch cocktail recipe

Friends, dust off your festival gear and get your party anthems ready because it’s time for the Midsumma Festival. We’ve made our very own cocktail (Sapphire Summer Punch) for the event with our best mate, Melbourne drag performer and producer Sasha Starr.

If you don’t know, Midsumma is Australia's fave queer arts and cultural organisation, and their annual summer festival (held in Melbourne) is a must-attend. It brings together a smorgasbord of brilliant and diverse LGBTQIA+ artists, performers, communities and audiences to celebrate individuality and love.

As the leader of the festival’s Pride March, Midsumma has a special place in Sasha’s fabulous, sequined heart – “Midsumma helps us celebrate and embrace our true identities.” For Sasha, it’s about bringing together all walks of life to support the LGBTQIA+ community and performance industry. “We all get together with our friends and allies in the park, and create fun, lasting memories. Enjoy a show on the main stage, stroll the markets, have a drink and dance the afternoon away.”

So, what can we look forward to this Midsumma? “Pride March and Carnival are the biggest and best events to enjoy, and completely free,” says Sasha. “But I’d definitely recommend checking out and booking some of the fabulous shows on offer. Ballads & Ballgowns with Isis Avis Loren was a hit last year and returning this year – highly recommended. There are also plenty of parties to attend as well.”

Sounds like a good time, right? Before you get your dancing shoes on, have a go at making our Sasha-Starr-approved Sapphire Summer Punch, which she describes as “delicious, fresh and fruity – just like a summer holiday.”

Dan Murphy’s is a proud sponsor of Midsumma Festival, running from January 23 to February 13, 2022. Find out more and book tickets on the Midsumma Festival website.

This is a super fun cocktail that doesn’t take itself too seriously, so feel free to play around with the ingredients all you like. 

What we will say is to be extra careful not to burn your peach and honey syrup. No one wants burnt honey floating around their punch. 

And much like any drink that uses mint as an ingredient, be super gentle with the mint. Bruised, crushed or torn mint is a huge no-no.

All that’s left to do is throw on your fave Midsumma anthem, put on your finest carnival gear and get ready to partay (responsibly, of course).