Summer = porch sitting, long, lazy dinners on the patio, ocean waves, sunny vacations, and fireflies.
And what better way to enjoy all the above mentioned activities than with a delicious summer-worthy cocktail in hand? (My top recommendation — which I’ve already shared — is my favorite limoncello recipe. It’s an ideal drink for this time of year.)
But beyond limoncello, if you’re looking for some refreshing new beverages to sip on this summer — join the club.*
(*Disclaimer: I haven’t tried any of these delectable-sounding recipes yet, but have added them to my summer bucket list.):
Fresh Cherry Mojitos
Kevin and I saw some beautiful cherries at our local farmer’s market recently, and they inspired me to give this twist on an already delicious drink a try.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 pound sweet cherries, pitted and roughly chopped
- 6 Tablespoons minced fresh mint
- 12 ounces light rum
- 28 ounces sparkling water
- 6 limes
Directions
- Combine the sugar and water in a small sauce pot on the stove. Bring to a boil and stir so that all the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add fresh, chopped cherries.
- Stir and refrigerate for about two hours, or until chilled. You can make this cherry syrup ahead of time and keep covered in the fridge.
- When you’re ready to make your mojitos (the recipe makes six), drop a tablespoon of fresh minced mint in each glass, followed by 1/4 cup of cherry syrup and juice of one lime.
- Using the end of a wooden spoon, muddle the mixture together.
- Then, add two ounces of rum and about a cup of sparkling water.
Ginger Shandies
Who doesn’t love a nice, refreshing shandy? Last year, Kevin and I fell in love with the version a bartender at Deckard’s in Atlanta crafted using the Alipne liqueur Zirbenz. This is a much more pared down version, but it sounds delicious all the same!
Ingredients
- 3 12-ounce(ish) bottles chilled white ale (I love Allagash White)
- 1 12-ounce bottle chilled ginger beer
- 1 thinly sliced lemon
- mint sprigs, for garnish
Directions
- In a large pitcher, combine white ale with ginger beer.
- Stir in most lemon slices and mint sprigs.
- Fill six rocks glasses with ice.
- Add remaining lemon slices to glasses and pour in shandy.
- Garnish each drink with a mint sprig and serve.
Micheladas
When I saw that this drink contains some of my very favorite things — lime juice, hot sauce, and Mexican beer — I knew it had to be added to the list.
Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon piquin pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salsa picante
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 12-ounce can Mexican lager, chilled
- lime wedges for garnish
Directions
- In a In tall beer glass, stir together pepper sauce, salsa, lime juice, salt, and lager.
- Garnish with lime and serve immediately.
Anyone else have summer drink recipes to share?
Cheers!