Picture this: the sun is shining brightly in the sky with no clouds in sight and you are lounging by the pool, enjoying the warm weather. A fruity and fragrant, ice-cold drink is in your hand, ready to quench your thirst. Can you think of a more relaxing scene? Summer drinks can cool you down and really boost the mood for a day at the pool, beach, or backyard barbeque. This summer, entertain your friends and family with some icy and delicious summer drinks! Crushed ice, fresh fruit, and a cocktail umbrella in your glass equals fun in the sun. Keep in mind that the absolute best summertime cocktails have fresh and flavorful ingredients. The drinks should offer relief from the heat and have tangy plus refreshing qualities. The following recipes are classic summer drinks that are very tasty and also make for a trendy Instagram photo! Get out your bathing suits and bar carts because summer is upon us!
Sangria is an alcoholic beverage originating from Spain that closely resembles a spiked punch. Traditionally, a sangria is made with red wine and assorted chopped fruits such as berries, apples, pineapple, nectarines, or limes. The ingredients are mixed together and left to chill in the refrigerator. This summer, impress your guests with a modern twist on this classic gem of a drink. Try a tropical sangria with this Pineapple, Mango, and Basil Sangria recipe. Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a large pitcher and refrigerate for about two hours before serving. You will need 1 bottle of your favorite dry white wine, 2 and a half cups of pineapple juice, 1 cup of fresh pineapple, 1 cup of fresh mango, and 6 chopped basil leaves. To make your drink look extra special, serve in a glass filled to the brim with ice and garnish the side of the glass with a basil leaf and slice of fruit.
A margarita is a cocktail that is traditionally served in a specialty margarita glass, with salt on the rim of the glass. The drink consists of lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur. You can serve a margarita on the rocks, on its own, or with blended ice. There are so many delicious variations of this very classic party cocktail. To elevate your run-of-the-mill backyard barbecue this summer, serve up a delicious Prickly Pear Margarita! This recipe is sure to wow your guests with its vibrant color and bold taste. You will need 3 ounces of your favorite clear tequila, 2 ounces of your favorite orange liqueur, 2 ounces of freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 ounce of prickly pear syrup, lime, and kosher salt. In typical margarita fashion, run a wedge of lime around the edge of the glass and dip it in the kosher salt to create that classic salty rim. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, add the rest of your ingredients and shake vigorously. Fill your margarita glass with ice and strain the contents of the cocktail shaker into the glass. Garnish your margarita glass with a thin slice of lime. This summer drink has a beautiful presentation because the prickly pear syrup is a bright fuchsia color!
The martini is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. It is traditionally served in a standard cocktail glass. The drink is made with gin and vermouth at a ratio of two to one, along with a classic garnish of a lemon twist or a single olive. Nowadays, there are so many tasty variations of the martini that are new and exciting. For a refreshing summer take on the martini, try this Watermelon Basil recipe! You will need 1 cup of fresh, chopped watermelon, 2 basil leaves, 2.5 ounces of Vodka, 1 ounce of elderflower liqueur, and a small slice of watermelon for garnish. In a big glass, add the watermelon and basil leaves and use a cocktail muddler to smash the ingredients together. Strain and set aside the juice. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, add the vodka, elderflower liqueur, and the watermelon juice. Shake well. Finally, strain this mixture into a martini glass garnished with a watermelon slice. This makes an absolutely delicious drink that is essential for some added fun in the sun.
