Five simple & refreshing summer cocktails!

1

Summer, cocktails

Summer! A time for playing outdoors, grilling and summer cocktails.

I am usually a red wine girl but as we mark the beginning of summer with Memorial Day, I start getting excited about refreshing summer cocktails. These cocktails keep me and my guests happy and refreshed throughout the whole summer.

Mojito

What better way to celebrate US and Cuba’s improved relations than whipping up a few of these on a hot summer day? This drink is fruity and refreshing and the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day.

Mojito, cocktail, summer, refreshingIngredients:

10 fresh mint leaves – I have 2 mint plants in a container on my deck just for this purpose

½ lime, cut into 4 wedges

2 tablespoons of white sugar or 2 tablespoons of simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)

1 cup ice cubes

1 ½ fluid ounces white rum

½ cup club soda or seltzer

Directions:

  1. Place the mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a Muddler to crush the mint and lime – This process will release the mint oil and juice the lime wedge
  2. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar (or simple syrup) and continue muddling
  3. Fill glass with ice and pour rum over the ice
  4. Fill the glass with club soda or seltzer and garnish with the last lime wedge

Sangria

Sangria, fruit, summer, refreshing , cocktailThere are hundreds of variations of sangria online from simple to complicated. My simple rule is to mix fruit, wine and seltzer. Chill and drink.

This is the perfect drink to make in a large pitcher for an outdoor party or event as it is tasty, refreshing and beautiful. It is also a super versatile drink as it can be made with red or white wine and any fruit that you have on hand.

Beer Margarita

This cocktail is perfect for a summer bbq or outdoor party since the recipe makes a big batch and can be made ahead of time and frozen if you want a slushy margarita.

Makes 6 servings

Margarita, summer, cocktail, tequilaIngredients:

1 (12 oz) can of frozen limeade concentrate

12 ounces tequila

12 ounces water

1 bottle corona

Ice

1 lime cut into wedges

Directions:

Mix limeade, water, tequila in a large pitcher until the limeade has melted. Add beer and mix. Add lots of ice and use the lime as garnish.

Screwdriver

Screwdriver, summer, cocktail

A high quality vodka really makes a difference in this classic and simple drink.

Ingredients:

1.5 ounces vodka

6 ounces pulp free orange juice

Ice

Directions:

Mix vodka and orange juice and pour over a glass of ice.

Watermelon Mimosa

Watermelon, Mimosa, summer, cocktail

A colorful, refreshing twist on the classic mimosa, watermelon Mimosas are perfect for a summer brunch, graduation party or simply celebrating a sunny day.

Makes 2-3 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup watermelon juice – Strained

½ cup champagne

Directions

Divide watermelon juice among 2-3 champagne flutes

Fill flutes with champagne

What are your favorite summer cocktails?

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Rey
A city girl at heart, I moved to Vermont in 2005 and now can’t imagine calling any other place home. Born and half raised in Iran (I moved here when I was 12), I moved a lot before making Vermont home. I live in Essex with my amazing multi-cultural and multi-racial family. My little family consists of my wonderful Canadian husband, my strong, smart and beautiful little girl, Zara (June 2010), and our sweet chocolate lab. I work for the State of Vermont as a Housing Program Officer and own Tala, Taste of Persia, specializing in delicious Persian sweet treats. I am a reluctant runner, love to entertain and shop. My passions are social justice and politics and travel.

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