Summer drink options are simply a must. The level of heat that June brings is the precursor to a much needed beverage.
While easy-to-grab choices are essential, coming up with your own “homemade” concoctions are certainly innovative, fun, and such a good way to make something you are craving your own.
There are just so many ways to drink the flavors of the season. From sweet watermelon and juicy peaches to herbs like mint and basil, we have one too many options to throw your way!
What We’ll Be Sipping….
Non-Alcoholic Berry Spritzer
Ingredients:
1 c. water
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. basil leaves
2 c. unsweetened cranberry juice
1/4 c. fresh lime juice
1 liter chilled club soda
4 slice lime
1 c. fresh cranberries
1/2 c. basil leaves
The How To:
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water and sugar to a boil. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add 1/2 cup basil leaves, remove pan from heat, and let steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain syrup and let cool for at least 1 hour. In a large pitcher, combine syrup, unsweetened cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice.
- Fill pitcher with chilled club soda, then add lime slices, fresh cranberries, and 1/2 cup basil leaves. To serve, pour spritzers over ice, top each with a splash more club soda, and garnish with basil.
Whiskey Smash
Ingredients:
3 lemon wedges
2 ounces bourbon
3/4 ounce simple syrup
4 mint leaves
Garnish: mint sprig
The How To:
- Muddle the lemon wedges in a shaker.
- Add bourbon, simple syrup, mint leaves and ice, and shake until well-chilled.
- Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with mint.
Vida Paloma
Ingredients:
2 ounces Del Maguey Vida mezcal
3 ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
2 ounces club soda, chilled, to top
Garnish: chile piquin, cilantro sprig, grapefruit, and a rounded jalapeño slice
The How To:
Wet a rocks glass and rim half the glass with chile piquin.
Add the mezcal, grapefruit juice, simple syrup and lime juice into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
Top with the club soda.
Garnish with a cilantro sprig, grapefruit quarter and jalapeño round.
