Cool down with a delicious homemade cocktail!
It’s nearly summer time! And what better way to celebrate than with an ice-cold beverage? These cocktail recipes, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are great for all types of summer occasions — from an outdoor soiree to just hanging out with a few friends. They’re easy to make to and don’t require having a lot of ingredients on hand, so you can whip them up anytime, anywhere.
Try one of these fun summer cocktail ideas to cool you off all season long:
Cucumber Sangria
One sip of this drink and you (and your friends) will be begging for seconds. A creamy and fruity blend of all your favorites, cucumber sangria is sure to be a hit with everyone you know. First, cut a small honeydew in half and remove the rind and seeds. Cut the melon, a seedless cucumber and one lime, into thin slices. Throw that all into a pitcher. Next, squeeze about 1/4 cup of lime juice and a 1/4 cup of honey into a small bowl. Add with the juice, along with 12 mint leaves, to the melon mixture. Lastly, add a whole bottle of Sauvignon blanc or other semi-dry white wine. Cover and chill it in the refrigerator for about two hours. When it’s ready, pour one liter of carbonated water on top and you’re all set! If serving at a party, a garnish of fresh mint should please those detail-oriented folks.
Peach Daiquiri
Impress your friends who have a sweet tooth with this peachy drink. Slice and peel three cups of fresh peaches (or frozen peaches work just fine), and combine it with 12-ounce can of frozen limeade or lemonade concentrate, 1/4 cup of orange juice and two tablespoons of powdered sugar in a blender. Cover and blend until the mixture is smooth. As the blender is blending, gather two cups of ice cubes and gradually add them to the mixture. A sweet drink for a sweet occasion!
Gin Slush
Combine nine cups of water and two cups of granulated sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil for about 15 minutes. Next, remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool a bit. Then, slowly pour in one can of frozen orange juice concentrate and one can of frozen lemonade concentrate. Lastly, add two cups of your favorite gin and mix. Transfer the drink into a container and store in the fridge overnight. By the morning, you’ll have slushy goodness that you can scoop into a glass and top with lemon-lime soda, if you desire.
Blackberry and Bourbon Lemonade
If this doesn’t scream summer, nothing will. And with just four ingredients, making this refreshing cocktail couldn’t be easier. Measure out 1/4 cup of your favorite bourbon, 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice and two teaspoons of blackberry-rosemary syrup in a cocktail shaker, combined with some ice. Shake for about 30 seconds or until the mixture is chilled. Then just strain the drink into a glass, add some ice, and pour about 1/3 of a cup of sparkling lemonade on top. If you’d like, garnish with a blackberry or two that you can enjoy after the drink.
Minty Iced Tea
There’s nothing wrong with plain iced tea, but this unique take on the classic is to die for. Start by combining seven cups of water and two cups of sugar in a large saucepan and bring to a boil while stirring. Then reduce the heat and simmer for about five minutes. Remove from the stove, and place eight orange-flavored tea bags and eight mint sprigs on the mixture. Let it sit for about five-10 minutes, then discard the bags and sprigs. Next, transfer the liquid into a heatproof bowl. Pour in another eight cups of water, two cups of orange juice and 3/4 lemon juice. Cover the tea and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours before serving. This drink is a sure-fire way to cool down on those particularly hot summer days!
There’s nothing like a refreshing drink on a hot summer day, and these recipes will have you relaxing in no time.
Connect with us
