Now that red wine weather is beginning to come to end I’m so excited to start whipping up some cocktails that incorporate more seasonal fresh fruit and herbs but also have a little kick to them. Don’t get me wrong, I L.O.V.E a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Rose and that is my go-to for nice evenings out on the deck (…or couch…) but every now and then I like to do something a little fancier. These five festive libations not only add a little luxury to your every day but they also make great signature cocktails for upcoming holiday celebrations or weddings! Here are a few of my favorites for warm weather sipping:
1. The Paloma: Part margarita, part mojito (sans mint), all amazing. If you have never had one of these delicious concoctions, go get one NOW! I am not a huge tequila fan but for this cocktail I make an exception. There are many variations of this drink but this recipe from Bon Appetit is how I prefer mine.
The Paloma
- Kosher salt
- 1 grapefruit wedge
- ¼ cup fresh grapefruit juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup mescal or tequila
- ¼ cup club soda
Prepare: Pour some kosher salt on a plate. Rub half of rim of a highball glass with grapefruit wedge; dip rim of glass in salt. Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, and sugar in glass; stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in mescal, add ice, and top off with club soda. Garnish with grapefruit wedge.
2. The Bee’s Knees: Nothing says Spring like bee’s, am I right? And this super simple, sweet, and refreshing beverage is the epitome of Spring in glass. It is also the front runner for my Easter specialty cocktail. This recipe comes from Food + Wine.
The Bee’s Knees
- Ice
- 2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce honey syrup*
*(1 tablespoon honey mixed with 1/2 tablespoon warm water)
Prepare: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice and honey syrup; shake well. Strain into glass.
3. French 75: Because every cocktail list must have something with champagne. This light and effervescent spirit is refreshing with a bit of a kick. A glass of class that can kick your ass! You can find a good recipe from Epicurous but there are some alternative recipes like this that call for superfine sugar instead of simple syrup.
French 75
- 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) gin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces) dry sparkling wine, such as brut Champagne, chilled
Preparation: Using zester or paring knife, slice peel from lemon in long, thin spiral. Reserve lemon for another use and set peel aside. In cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into chilled Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine. Curl lemon peel around finger to create twist at least 6 inches long. Garnish drink with twist and serve immediately.
4. The Southside: I am a huge mint fan, especially in drinks. Actually I love most herbs in drinks, but mint is far and above my fave, especially in the warmer months. And because I love mojitos so much and don’t want bartenders to hate me, this is a good compromise of a drink. While the traditional spirit is gin, you can also sub it out for rum or vodka (my preference is either gin or vodka). Town + Country gives a great little history on this cocktail as well as some recipes.
- 2 oz Tanqueray gin
- 1 oz Mint simple syrup*
- 4-5 Fresh mint leaves
- Juice of one lemon
- Splash of soda
* For the mint simple syrup, add equal parts water and sugar to a saucepan with a handful of mint leaves. Bring to a boil for ten minutes. Cool and strain.
Preparation: Place all ingredients in a mixing glass, and shake vigorously to bruise mint leaves. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.
5. The Firecracker: Albeit not in the same class as one of the more aforementioned classic cocktails, this one caught my eye-and palate. Watermelon, lime and cucumber…vodka! This seems like it will be my go-to poolside cocktail (as Country Living suggests).
Ingredients
- 4 oz Prairie Cucumber Vodka
- 4 (1-inch) cubes of seedless watermelon
- 2 limes, diced
- 2 oz simple syrup*
*(Boil 1/4 cup water and sugar just until sugar dissolves. Add 1/4 cup ice to cool – refrigerate leftovers)
Preparation: Combine vodka, watermelon and lime in a cocktail shaker. Muddle all ingredients well. Add simple syrup, fill with ice, cover and shake until ice cold. Rim the glasses with a cut lime and dip in the lime rim mixture. Fill the glasses with ice and pour the ingredients from the shaker into the glasses. Garnish with a watermelon slice, a cucumber slice and a mint sprig.
I would love to hear how these cocktails turned out for you and if you did any recipe variations! What are some of your favorite cocktails for Spring + Summer?