4 Must-Have Summer Cocktails
Summer just seems to invoke the entertainer in all of us. It’s a great time to experiment with the bounty of fresh ingredients that the warmer months offer us. It’s inspired me to share some of my favorite summertime cocktail recipes. For me, a summer cocktail is a balance of sweet and tart, made with fresh fruits and of course lot of boozy flavor.
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1 - Watermelon Mezcal Sour
Mezcal is on of my favorite Spirits right now, I love the range of flavors and smokiness from the many variety of agave plants and how versatile it is in craft cocktails.
Watermelon Mezcal Sour 🍉🍹
Ingredients
Instructions
- Puree watermelon chucks in blender for 10-15 seconds
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a scoop of ice and shake well for 20-30 seconds
- Strain into a chilled Coupe or Martini glass
- Garnish with watermelon slice and dash of bitters
2 - Mango Mojito
In South Florida, Mango is a flavor of summer. I love to add fresh pureed fruit to mojitos, the balance of sweet fruit with the fresh mint and tart limes is one of my favorite summer flavor combinations. If you’re hitting up Wynwood any time soon, be sure to check out the Miami Mojito Bar in Wynwood. They serve up some of the best mojitos in Miami!
Mango Mojito 🥭🍹
Ingredients
Instructions
- Puree mango chunks in standard blender for 20-25 seconds
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a scoop of ice and shake well for 20-30 seconds
- Pour into a highball glass and top with additional ice and club soda
- Garnish with a mint spring and mango slice
3 - Rocket Fuel
I recently experienced this gem on a beach vacation to Fire Island, NY - the birth place of the Rocket Fuel! It’s all the glory of a Pina Colada with an extra kick of Amaretto for flavor and topped with 151 proof rum floater. This is a party starter!
Rocket Fuel 🍍🍹
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender with a scoop of crushed ice and bled until smooth. Add ice, as needed.
- Pour into a Hurricane glass and pour 151 proof rum on top.
- Garnish with a cherry, pineapple wedge, and drinking straw (umbrella optional 😉)
4 - Cucumber Gin Spritzer
This is a great cocktail when the heat has you beat or as a light afternoon refreshment. Adding champagne makes it a little extra, but don’t we all deserve that some times.
Cucumber Gin Spritzer 🍾🍸
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the cucumber slices and ginger syrup in a shaker and muddle for a 5 seconds.
- Add lemon juice, Gin and a scoop of ice, and shake well for 10 seconds.
- Pour into highball glass. Top with wine and club soda.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and drinking straw.
