Summer is here, and with it comes the need for some cool and refreshing drinks to quench your thirst and keep you hydrated. Whether you are hosting a barbecue, a pool party, or just relaxing on your patio, you will love these 5 refreshing summer cocktails that are easy to make and delicious to drink. These cocktails are perfect for beating the heat and enjoying the sunny days with your friends and family.
What are summer cocktails?
Summer cocktails are drinks that are made with fresh fruits, herbs, ice, and alcohol. They are usually light, fruity, and refreshing, and they can help you cool down on a hot day. Summer cocktails are also great for celebrating special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. Some of the most popular summer cocktails are mojitos, margaritas, sangrias, daiquiris, and piña coladas.
How to make summer cocktails?
Making summer cocktails is not difficult at all. You just need some basic ingredients, such as fruit juice, soda water, sugar, ice, and your favorite liquor. You can also add some fresh fruits, herbs, or spices to enhance the flavor and aroma of your drinks. Here are some simple steps to follow when making summer cocktails:
- Choose your base liquor. You can use rum, vodka, gin, tequila, or any other spirit that you like.
- Choose your fruit juice. You can use lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, or any other juice that you prefer.
- Choose your sweetener. You can use sugar, honey, agave nectar, simple syrup, or any other sweetener that you like.
- Choose your mixer. You can use soda water, tonic water, club soda, sparkling wine, or any other mixer that you like.
- Choose your garnish. You can use fresh fruits, herbs, or spices to decorate your drinks and add some extra flavor. Some common garnishes are mint leaves, basil leaves, rosemary sprigs, lemon slices, lime wedges, orange slices, berries, cucumber slices, or jalapeño slices.
- Mix everything together. You can use a cocktail shaker, a blender, a pitcher, or a glass to mix your ingredients. You can also adjust the proportions according to your taste and preference.
- Serve chilled. You can serve your drinks in glasses filled with ice cubes or crushed ice. You can also add some straws or cocktail umbrellas for fun.
5 Refreshing Summer Cocktails Recipes
Now that you know how to make summer cocktails in general, let’s take a look at some specific recipes that you can try at home. These are 5 refreshing summer cocktails that are easy to make and delicious to drink:
1. Mojito
Mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail that is made with rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and soda water. It is one of the most popular summer cocktails in the world because it is refreshing and aromatic. Here is how to make a mojito:
- Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of white rum
- 1 ounce of fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
- 6 mint leaves
- Soda water
- Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker or a glass muddler (a tool used to crush ingredients), muddle (crush) the mint leaves with the sugar and lime juice.
- Add the rum and fill the shaker or glass with ice cubes.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes.
- Top up with soda water and stir gently.
- Garnish with more mint leaves and a lime wedge.
2. Margarita
Margarita is a classic Mexican cocktail that is made with tequila, triple sec (an orange-flavored liqueur), lime juice, and salt. It is one of the most popular summer cocktails in the world because it is tangy and refreshing. Here is how to make a margarita:
- Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of tequila
- 1 ounce of triple sec
- 1 ounce of fresh lime juice
- Salt
- Instructions:
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a margarita glass or a rocks glass.
- Dip the rim in salt and shake off the excess.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes or crushed ice.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice with ice cubes.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
3. Sangria
Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink that is made with red wine, fruit juice, fresh fruits, sugar, and brandy. It is one of the most popular summer cocktails in the world because it is fruity and festive. Here is how to make a sangria:
- Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of red wine (preferably dry and fruity)
- 1/4 cup of brandy
- 1/4 cup of orange juice
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 2 apples, chopped
- 2 peaches, chopped
- Instructions:
- In a large pitcher, combine the wine, brandy, orange juice, and sugar. Stir well until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the fruits and stir gently.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to let the flavors infuse.
- Serve in wine glasses with ice cubes and some fruit pieces.
4. Daiquiri
Daiquiri is a classic Cuban cocktail that is made with rum, lime juice, and sugar. It is one of the most popular summer cocktails in the world because it is simple and refreshing. Here is how to make a daiquiri:
- Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of white rum
- 1 ounce of fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce of simple syrup (a mixture of equal parts of sugar and water)
- Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice cubes.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a coupe glass or a martini glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
5. Piña Colada
Piña colada is a tropical cocktail that is made with rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and ice. It is one of the most popular summer cocktails in the world because it is creamy and delicious. Here is how to make a piña colada:
- Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of white rum
- 2 ounces of coconut cream
- 4 ounces of pineapple juice
- Ice
- Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and ice.
- Blend until smooth and frothy.
- Pour into a hurricane glass or a large tumbler.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cherry.
What to serve with summer cocktails?
Summer cocktails are great on their own, but they can also be paired with some tasty snacks or appetizers to make your summer party more enjoyable. Here are some suggestions for what to serve with summer cocktails:
- Chips and salsa: A classic combination that is easy to prepare and goes well with any cocktail. You can use store-bought chips and salsa or make your own with fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Cheese board: A cheese board is a great way to showcase different types of cheese and crackers. You can also add some fruits, nuts, olives, jams, or honey to complement the cheese flavors. Some good cheese choices are brie, cheddar, gouda, goat cheese, or blue cheese.
- Mini sandwiches: Mini sandwiches are perfect for nibbling on while sipping your cocktails. You can use different kinds of breads, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and sauces to create your own combinations. Some examples are ham and cheese on croissants, turkey and cranberry on wheat bread, or cucumber and cream cheese on rye bread.
Conclusion
Summer cocktails are drinks that are made with fresh fruits, herbs, ice, and alcohol. They are usually light, fruity, and refreshing, and they can help you cool down on a hot day. In this article, we have shown you how to make 5 refreshing summer cocktails that are easy to make and delicious to drink: mojito, margarita, sangria, daiquiri, and piña colada. We have also suggested some snacks or appetizers that you can serve with your summer cocktails to make your summer party more enjoyable.
We hope you have enjoyed this article and learned something new. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear
