Summer Cocktail Recipes

Summer is here, and COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted. People are gathering together again, and, hallelujah, events are BACK. What could make this situation better, you ask? Refreshing, summer-inspired cocktails to cheers with, of course. Check out our top 5 cocktails to raise your glass to with friends and family this season.

Summer Cocktail Recipes:

(photo credit: epicurious)

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup [100 g] sugar
• 2 large cucumbers, unpeeled and sliced
• 1 large orange, sliced
• 1 large lemon, sliced
• 1 lb [455 g] fresh whole strawberries
• 1 bunch fresh mint leaves, rinsed
• One 750-ml bottle Pimm’s No. 1
• 2 cups [480 ml] gin
• 4 1/2 cups [1 L] soda water or seltzer water
• Ice cubes for serving
   

This drink takes a bit of time to make but is 100% worth it, trust me. First 24 hours before your big event you’ll want to add the diced cucumber to a small bowl with your sugar and stir until it’s completely coated. Wrap the bowl in saran wrap and let it sit in the fridge overnight or for up to 8 hours.

Next, grab your punch bowl or batching container. Combine the sliced cucumber, strawberries, orange, lemon, and half of your mint. Pour in the Pimm’s, gin, and soda water. Lastly, add in your sugar-coated cucumbers and stir until combined. Serve over ice!

(photo credit: thspruceeats)

2.The Classic Daiquiri

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounce light rum
• 1-ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• lime rings for garnish

This classic cocktail is super simple to concoct. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake until well mixed and cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lime ring.

(photo credit: mamaGourmand)

3.Cucumber, Basil Gimlet

Ingredients:

• ½ cup sugar
• ½ English cucumber cut into thin slices
• Fresh basil leaves
•  ⅔ cup fresh lime juice
•  ⅔ cup of vodka or gin

This is a fabulous summer drink to make in larger batches. Add sugar and cucumber to a pitcher and muddle until it’s well blended. Add the fresh lime juice and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add your vodka or gin along with a quarter cup of water, and stir until combined. Divide the mixture between 4 glasses, top with ice and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

(photo credit: lemontreedwelling)

4. Frozen Banana Piña Colada

Ingredients:

• 2 bananas, peeled, cut into quarters, and frozen overnight
• 1 cup of canned crushed pineapples
• 1 cup of canned coconut cream
• Juice of half a lime
• 4 ounces of dark rum, and 2 extra ounces if you like a rum float (I prefer Bacardi 151 for that added kick)
• Sweetened coconut shreds for garnish
• Lime slices for garnish
• 2 cups of ice
• Blender
  
  

First, you’ll add your frozen banana and crushed pineapple to your blender and blend until smooth. Next, add your ice, coconut cream, lime juice, and 4 ounces of dark rum. Blend until the ice is broken down and all of your ingredients are mixed. Pour the mixture into two glasses, top with one ounce of dark rum as your float, and garnish with coconut shreds and lime slice.

(photo credit: foxvalleyfoodie

5. Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade

• 1 1/2 ounces Bourbon
• 1/2 ounces fresh lemon juice
• 4 fresh blackberries
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• dash aromatic bitters
• 1 cardamom pod
• Soda water
• Fresh mint sprigs

Muddle fresh blackberries and simple syrup in a shaker until well combined. Add all other ingredients except the soda water together in a shaker over ice. Shake and pour into a glass over fresh ice and top with soda water. Garnish with fresh mint.