Summer time by the pool is something that many of us look forward to year round. Especially when you work all week, or go to school, those days spent in a bathing suit, coated in sunscreen, sipping a summer cocktail, are the highlight of your week. In fact, what to sip by the pool is often your largest consideration. But, we’re here to help you make that decision a little bit easier. A summer cocktail should be light, delicious, and maybe even a little bit fruity. So, let’s get to it…
Summer Cocktail Recipes: Light and Breezy by the Pool
Blackberry Mojito
My go-to summer cocktail is the brilliant, light, and tangy mojito— with a twist. A classic mojito is made with white rum, simple syrup, mint, lime, and club soda. It’s bright, to the point, and extremely refreshing on a hot day. Our only twist to an untouchable classic? Two blackberries in the shaker, and one to garnish. For this mojito, add two ounces of white rum, 3/4 ounce of homemade simple syrup (equal parts sugar and hot water, dissolve and let cool), 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice, 1 sprig of mint, and two blackberries. Shake, shake, shake— pour. Top your cocktail with soda water, a sprig of mint, lime wedge, and one more blackberry.
Sangria Your Way
Sangria can be made with a number of wines, a number of fruits, and a number of different additions that are personalized to you. My personal favorite is: one bottle of Spanish red, the juice from 1/2 of a lemon, lime, and orange, 2 ounces dry vermouth, 2 ounces of gin, 2 ounces of brandy, and slice the rest of the fruit into the mix. Let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour so the flavors develop. Then, before you serve, top with orange soda to taste.
While red wine sangria is my favorite way to enjoy this summer cocktail— it doesn’t have to be yours. Sub red wine for white wine or rosé; limes and oranges for peaches and strawberries, and orange soda for grapefruit soda, seltzer, or Sprite. There are plenty of ways to make sangria your own— substitute ingredients to your hearts delight! Just don’t forget the wine…
Rosemary Gin Lemonade
One again, with this summer cocktail, we encourage you to try your own hand at changing it up. This one, however, is an easy one to throw together poolside. Add gin to taste, top with lemonade, and stir it up with a sprig of rosemary. Rosemary is sturdy, extremely fragrant, and insanely delicious with gin. Stirring your drink with the sprig alone will infuse the flavor perfectly.
Every perfect summer cocktail has one thing in common…
It helps you beat the heat by way of bright, fizzy, citrusy, and floral drinks that can go from day, to night, to poolside. As always, we encourage you to drink responsibly, as well as to find a safe and sober designated driver.