Summer Inspired Cocktail Recipes
Blueberry Mojitos
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Blueberries
- 3 Limes
- 15 Mint Leaves
- 4 oz White Rum
- Soda or sparkling water
- Ice
If you’re looking for a light but fragrant beverage, mojitos are the way to go! This version of the drink a soft blueberry flavor that pairs well with the tart lime juice and the fragrance of mint leaves. They are easily garnished with mint leaves and slices of lime for a fancy, brightly colored addition to any summer occasion. This recipe makes enough for two tall glasses, but can easily be scaled up for a larger pitcher.
Step 1:
Slice the limes into wedges, juicing half of them and adding the remaining wedges in their entirety to a cocktail shaker along with the blueberries, mint leaves, simple syrup, additional lime juice, and rum.
Step 2:
With the back of a spoon or a muddle for about 30 seconds to draw out the fruit and herb juices. Let the mixture sit for 2-5 minutes for the flavors to fully absorb. For a simple, but more textured version of the drink, instead shake the contents with ice to easily break up the berries (although this will result in more chunks of fruit making it into your drink).
Step 3:
Divide the mixture between two glasses of ice, topping it off with soda and a fresh mint sprig for the garnish.
Piña Colada
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Ice
- 4 oz Pineapple juice or chopped pineapple
- 4 oz White rum
- 4 oz Cream of coconut
- 1 oz Fresh lime juice (optional)
- 1 oz Simple syrup (optional)
This tropical drink’s origins in Puerto Rico are somewhat controversial as two rival bartenders claimed to have invented the drink. Although its true creator is unknown, its flavor is a popular summer hit, and on top of that it is very easy to make as long as you have a good blender. Just three ingredients in equal parts, pineapple juice, white rum, and cream of coconut (not to be confused with coconut cream) plus enough ice to achieve the proper consistency is all you need for this classic recipe. If you do want to elevate it even further, you can use chopped pineapple with the juice and to round out the flavor I like to add 1 oz of fresh lime juice and 1 oz simple syrup to sweeten it up a bit. This recipe makes enough for 2-3 drinks.
Step 1:
Add pineapple juice, cream of coconut, rum, lime juice if using, and ice to a large blender. Pulse the blender to break up the ice then continue blending until a smooth consistency is reached. Add more ice if the mixture appears too watery, or place the mixture in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to allow it to cool. Taste your piña coladas and add simple syrup to the desired sweetness..
Step 2:
Pour into glasses garnishing your drinks with cherries, pineapple slices, or mini umbrellas.
Margaritas On The Rocks
Ingredients:
- 3 Limes juiced or 3 oz lime juice
- 4 oz Tequila
- 1 oz Triple sec
- 2 oz Simple syrup
- Soda or sparkling water
- Ice
The Texas favorite margaritas are a classic and easy to make beverages. Most often you see them in their frozen form, but they can be just as tart and enjoyable on the rocks, which just means “served over ice.” I find that 3 limes tends to be the perfect amount of juice to make two margaritas. Although you could substitute for store bought lime juice, using fresh limes is the key to a quality flavor. To spice it up a bit, try using tajin seasoning on the rim instead of salt and it may become your new favorite thing.
Step 1:
Salt the rim of a glass by rubbing a wedge of lime around the edge before twisting it on a small plate of salt or tajin.
Step 2:
In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, triple sec, lime juice, simple syrup and ice. Cover and shake for about 10 seconds.
Step 3:
Pour over Ice, top with soda and garnish with a lime wedge.
Paloma
Ingredients:
- 4 oz Tequila
- 4 oz Grapefruit juice
- 1 oz Lime juice
- 1 oz Simple syrup
- Soda or sparkling water
- Ice
Adding another great Mexican cocktail to the list, we have the Paloma, which you can occasionally find alongside frozen margaritas at local restaurants. It is of course a citrusy cousin to margaritas made with grapefruit juice instead, and normally without an orange liqueur. It goes well paired with salt, tajin, or even sugar on the rim for those with a sweet tooth. For a more spicy variant, try substituting the normal simple syrup with a spiced ginger variety like in this recipe.
Step 1:
Salt the rim of a glass by rubbing a wedge of grapefruit around it before twisting it on a small plate of either salt, tajin, or sugar.
Step 2:
Mix together the tequila, fruit juices, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 3:
Pour in a glass over ice and top with sparkling water or club soda for extra sweetness. Garnish with a wedge of lime or grapefruit.
Strawberry Daiquiri
Ingredients:
- 4 oz White rum
- 5 oz Strawberries (fresh)
- 10 oz Strawberies (frozen)
- 1-2 oz Simple syrup
- 2 Limes juiced or 2 oz Lime juice
This is a drink that is sure to cool you down on a hot Saturday afternoon by the pool. Nothing says summer quite like a daiquiri. The frozen strawberries create a nice slushy texture, but if you use all frozen strawberries it can end up being too icy. The right ratio of fresh to frozen fruits is the key to creating the semi-frozen texture that you’re after. Adding a couple ounces of fresh lime juice to the mix gives it a slight tartness which pairs well with the refreshing strawberries for a delectably sweet summer drink. It is also easy to make different flavors with other fruits like mango or peach by using the same ratio of fresh to frozen.
Step 1:
Add 4 oz white rum, 10 oz frozen strawberries, 5 oz fresh strawberries, 2 oz lime juice, and 1 oz simple syrup to a large blender and pulse to roughly break up the berries. Then continue blending until smooth.
Step 2:
Taste and adjust the level of sweetness by adding more syrup or lime juice if necessary.
Step 3:
Pour into glasses and garnish with a fresh strawberry and umbrella for style.
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