Sip to the Start of Summer
Summer is (unofficially) here! The weather is hotter, the days grow longer, and life seems a little bit easier.
However, the season’s adventures can leave you thirsty, and you’ll want a simple, cooling, and tasty cocktail to sip as you bask in the sun. So try one of these thirst-quenching cocktail recipes for maximum refreshment and fun. It is summer, after all.
Whiskey Smash
When people think of summer drinks, they think of clear spirits, but brown spirits can be equally refreshing. The Whiskey Smash is zesty, sweet enough, and as full of flavor as a whiskey drink should be.
Ingredients
3 lemon wedges
2 ounces bourbon
¾ ounce simple syrup
4 mint leaves
Garnish: mint sprig
Directions
Muddle the lemon wedges in a shaker.
Add bourbon, simple syrup, mint leaves, and ice; shake until well-chilled.
Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with mint sprig.
Blackberry Wine Slushy
When it’s too hot for a glass of red wine, this blender drink will do the trick. Plus, it’s perfect for using that last bit of leftover wine.
Ingredients
4 ounces red wine
1-½ ounces vodka
5 blackberries
1 ounce orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 tsp agave nectar
Garnish: 2 blackberries
Directions
Add the ingredients plus 1-½ cups of ice into a blender; blend until smooth.
Pour into a stemless wine glass.
Garnish with blackberries.
Vida Paloma
A twist on a traditional Paloma, the Vida Paloma is earthy, savory, refreshing and citrusy. The cocktail calls for mezcal instead of tequila, giving it a smoky flavor, and the chile-piquín-rimmed glass adds a layer of spice.
Ingredients
2 ounces mezcal
3 ounces grapefruit juice
½ ounce simple syrup
¼ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
2 ounces club soda, chilled
Garnishes: chile piquin (to rim glass), cilantro sprig, grapefruit quarter-wheel, jalapeño round
Directions
Wet a rocks glass; rim half the glass with chile piquin.
Add mezcal, grapefruit juice, simple syrup and lime juice into a shaker with ice; shake until well-chilled.
Strain into the chile-piquin-rimmed glass over fresh ice.
Top with club soda.
Garnish with cilantro sprig, grapefruit quarter wheel, and jalapeño round.
Aperol Spritz
An Italian happy-hour tradition, this classic spritz has gained popularity on this side of the pond. Aperol paired with bubbly wine and sparkling water makes for a refreshing and thirst-quenching cocktail. It’s also low in alcohol, so you can enjoy them all afternoon.
Ingredients
3 ounces prosecco
2 ounces Aperol
1 ounce club soda
Garnish: orange slice
Directions
Add prosecco, Aperol and club soda to a wine glass filled with ice and stir.
Garnish with orange slice.
Cucumber, Basil & Lime Gimlet
This ultra-refreshing take on a Gimlet is sunshine in a glass. Try this tasty and refreshing cocktail on a warm summer day at your next backyard barbecue or lounging by the pool.
Ingredients
2 slices cucumber
1-½ fresh basil leaves
1-½ ounces vodka
1 ounce lemonade
¼ ounce lime juice
Garnish: basil leaf
Directions
Muddle cucumber and basil in a shaker.
Add vodka, lemonade, lime juice and ice; shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with basil leaf.
Universal Fine Wine & Spirits specializes in rare liquors, handcrafted wines, and craft beers and provides exceptional pricing on everyday staples. Our staff has over thirty years of combined beverage industry experience and can help you find the perfect beverage for your spring break staycation. So stop by our store, call us at 727-937-8330, or visit our website to learn more.
Sources
https://www.liquor.com/slideshows/summer-cocktail-recipes/
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