Popular Summer Cocktails
When the weather warms up - especially in south Florida - refreshing summer cocktails are the perfect way to stay cool. Whether you’re barbecuing in the backyard or lounging by the pool or beach, the best way to enjoy a warm summer day is with a cocktail in hand.
If you’re looking to mix up your summer spirit selection, consider these delicious and easy-to-make drinks using the season’s freshest ingredients, including blackberries, citrus, and mint. Cheers to enjoying summer in a glass!
Whiskey Smash
When you think of summer drinks, you tend to gravitate to vodka, gin, and other clear spirits. But brown spirits - including this bourbon, lemon, and mint classic - can be just as refreshing.
Ingredients
3 lemon wedges
2 ounces bourbon
3/4 ounce simple syrup
4 mint leaves
Garnish: mint sprig
Instructions
In a shaker, muddle the lemon wedges.
Add bourbon, simple syrup, mint leaves, and ice; shake until well-chilled.
Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a mint sprig.
Blackberry Wine Slushie
When it’s too hot for a glass of red wine, or if you need to use that bit of leftover wine, this blended drink is the perfect solution. Vodka, blackberries, orange juice, and wine are sweetened with agave. After a spin in the blender, the drink is garnished with even more blackberries.
Ingredients
4 ounces red wine
1½ ounces vodka
5 blackberries
1 ounce orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 tsp agave nectar
Garnish: 2 blackberries
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients with 1½ cups of ice into a blender; blend until smooth.
Pour into a stemless wine glass.
Garnish with 2 blackberries.
Mojito
For a breath of crisp air on a hot summer day, enter the iconic Cuban cocktail. The zing of the muddled mint, the sweetness of the rum and lime mixture, and a dash of club soda will put a spring in your step and help you beat the heat.
Ingredients
3 mint leaves
½ ounce simple syrup
2 ounces white rum
¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
Club soda
Garnish: mint sprig
Garnish: lime wheel
Instructions
In a shaker, lightly muddle the mint with the simple syrup.
Add the rum, lime juice, and ice; shake briefly.
Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
Top with club soda.
Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
Golden Gate Spritz
Kick and chill with this easy three-ingredient spritz variant on a lazy summer afternoon.
Ingredients
1½ oz Lo-Fi Gentian Amaro
½ oz fresh grapefruit juice
2 oz chilled sparkling wine
Garnish: grapefruit
Instructions
Add amaro and grapefruit juice to a coupe; top with chilled sparkling wine.
Garnish with grapefruit peel.
Cucumber, Basil & Lime Gimlet
A new twist on the classic vodka and lemonade, this ultra-refreshing take on a Gimlet will have your thirst quenched in no time.
Ingredients
2 slices cucumber (¼-inch slices)
1½ fresh basil leaves
1½ ounces vodka
1 ounce lemonade
¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
Garnish: basil leaf
Instructions
In a shaker, muddle the cucumber and basil.
Add the vodka, lemonade, lime juice, and ice; shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a basil leaf.
Need help selecting the perfect spirits for your backyard BBQ or evening cocktail party? Stop into Universal Fine Wine & Spirits today! At Universal Fine Wine & Spirits, we want to make sure you are going home with the perfect drink to complete your summer meal so ask away. We will be more than happy to help answer any of your questions. Come in and talk to an employee, give us a call at 727-937-8330, or visit our website.
Sources
https://www.thespruceeats.com/fresh-spring-summer-cocktails-4140293
https://www.liquor.com/slideshows/summer-cocktail-recipes/
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