3 Surprisingly Refreshing Summer Cocktails
When your brain goes into Summer mode, are you picturing yourself lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun with a cocktail in hand? Or are you paddle boarding on the lake, with a cooler full of drinks and picnic snacks for you and your friends? If there's one thing we know, it's that nothing quite takes the edge off of a way-too-hot Summer day quite like a refreshingly chilled cocktail — but we found ourselves in a rut! For years we've all viewed margaritas, or piña coladas, or mimosas as our go-to Summer libations, but the classics get old, not to mention that some people just don't like tequila or rum! So to combat that, and kick off this sunny season with something a little different, we're sharing three of our favorite "Off the Beaten Path" Summer cocktails, featuring some warm-weather underdogs: Gin, Vodka, and, yes, even Whiskey.
Gin & Juice
We're loving this Gin-centric cocktail staple, with a fresh-squeezed twist. Call us picky but we prefer fresh-squeezed fruit 100% of the time when it comes to our cocktail ingredients, and this Gin & Juice will have you understanding exactly why. Pick up some citrus from the local farmers' market and mix up a couple of these cool-down cocktails tonight for dinner.
2 oz. Gin
1/2 Grapefruit
1/2 Orange
Lime
Tonic
Simply combine your gin, the fresh-squeezed juice from 1/2 grapefruit, and the juice from 1/2 orange over ice in a shaker, and shake until combined. Squeeze in lime juice, to taste, then pour into a cocktail glass, ice and all. Top off the glass with tonic, and stir thoroughly before serving.
Green Machine
This twist on the classic mojito is as refreshing as they come. The tart kick from the kiwi is perfectly complemented by the agave, and the addition of cilantro makes the Green Machine unlike anything you've ever tasted. This is a great cocktail for "punchbowls," or when you want to whip up a large-batch drink for a party!
2 oz. Vodka
1 Tbsp. Agave
1/2 Lime, juice
1 Tbsp. Cilantro leaves
1 Kiwi, skinned and cubed
1 C. Club Soda
Start by muddling your cilantro leaves into the lime juice and agave syrup at the bottom of a shaker, then add your vodka and cubed kiwi. Throw in a few ice cubes, and shake until thoroughly combined. Pour into your serving glass and top with club soda, then garnish with a cilantro sprig.
Wise Sage
Whiskey is often overlooked in the Summer, as it has made a name for itself as the "warm blanket" of liquors. And while whiskey certainly is right at home in the Winter, we know a few whiskey drinkers that would love to find a way to enjoy their favorite booze in the warmer months — and alas, the Wise Sage was born!
1.5 oz. Whiskey
1 oz. Triple sec
1/2 Orange
Ginger Beer
3 Leaves of Sage
Squeeze the juice from 1/2 of a fresh orange into a shake, then muddle in your sage leaves. Add whiskey, triple sec, and ice, then shake until combined. Pour your mixture, without straining, into a glass and top with ginger beer.
We hope we've inspired you to mix things up this Summer, and we can't wait to hear how you've enjoyed these cocktails and even made them your own! Cheers, and enjoy the sunshine.
