Six Refreshing Summer Cocktails
Classic and Unusual Mixed Drinks - Mai Tai, Sangria, Twilight Cocktail
Thoughts of summer bring thoughts of swimming, barbeques and yummy fruity summer cocktails. Almost any combination of fruit juice and alcohol can create a fun drink, but here are some recipes that are sure to be a hit at any summer party.
Classic Summer Cocktails
These old-time beverages are on nearly every bar menu and on many a drinker’s favorite drink list.
Mai Tai – the quintessential island treat. This is supposedly the original formula, developed in 1944:
- 2 ounces 17-year-old J. Wray Nephew Jamaican rum
- 1/2 ounce French Garnier Orgeat
- 1/2 ounce Holland DeKuyper Orange Curacao
- 1/4 ounce Rock Candy Syrup
- juice from one fresh lime
Hand shake and garnish with half of the lime shell inside the drink and float a sprig of fresh mint at the edge of the glass.
Sangria – summer just is not summer without Sangria! Here is a basic recipe that can be dressed up with chunks of fresh fruit and different types of wine or juice.
- 1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja reds, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
- 1 Lemon cut into wedges
- 1 Orange cut into wedges
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Shot brandy
- 2 Cups ginger ale or club soda
Pour the wine into the pitcher and squeeze in the juice from the lemon and orange. Add fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add sugar and brandy. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving. This can be served right away if chilled red wine and plenty of ice are used.
Champagne Punch – fruity, fizzy, elegant and fun. This recipe makes enough for a whole party.
- 2 10-ounce packages frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed (or similar fruit)
- 2 750-ml. bottles rosé wine (about 6½ cups)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
- Powdered sugar or simple syrup
- 3 750-ml. bottles champagne (about 10 cups)
- Ice
Chill ingredients before mixing. Purée strawberries (or other fruit) in a blender and add rosé wine. Chill. Sweeten lemon juice to taste with sugar or simple syrup and pour into a punch bowl. Stir in puréed fruit and wine. Add champagne and ice last, immediately before serving. Makes apx 40 servings.
Unusual Summer Cocktails
These summer beverages are a little less common for those who like to shirk tradition.
Twilight Cocktail – Although this one is not seen much today, it was popular in the early 20th century. Credit goes to the book 173 Pre-Prohibition Cocktails, which was assembled from the recipe collection of bartender Tom Bullock's 1917 collection.
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
- 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
- Juice of one whole lime
Put ingredients into a shaker with fresh ice, shake well, strain into a Champagne glass, fill with seltzer or club soda and serve.
Free Love Cocktail – this unique cocktail was born around 1890, when early feminists fought against both the Victorian ideals of sexuality and the threat of Prohibition.
- 1/2 of an egg white
- 3 dashes anisette
- 1 1/2 ounces of gin
- 1 ounce of fresh cream
Pour ingredients over a shaker of fresh ice, shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.
The Bloody Caesar – Created by the late Walter Chell in 1969, this drink was inspired by the flavors of spaghetti with clams—a celebration of the opening of Marco’s Italian Restaurant. Today, it is supposedly the most popular cocktail in Canada.
- 1 ounce vodka
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- Salt, ground pepper
- 6 ounces Mott's Clamato Juice
- Ice cubes
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, stir vigorously, serve over fresh ice and garnish with a stalk of celery and a lemon wedge.
For non-alcoholic summer cocktail recipes, read Non-alcoholic Cocktails for Summer.
Summer isn't summer without Sangria
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