Best Summer Cocktail Recipes
From the exotic to the fun- here's a handy compendium for you.
When the nights get longer and the weather warmer, thoughts of refreshing cocktails designed to complement a menu, a theme, or a whim are perfect party starters. Here are some of my tried and true faves including a selection of new takes from Smirnoff Blueberry Vodka for something a little different.
Summer wouldn't be summer without the citrus refreshment provided by Cuba's Mojito or Brazil's Caipirinha. Both recipes call for lime juice but the Mojito has that distinctive mint note and good rum as its base, while the Caipirinha's liquor of choice is the cachaça. Cachaça is a distilled white sugar cane alcohol that Brazilian's sometimes call Aguardiente de Cana or Pinga. Originally considered a "poor man's drink," today, the humble cachaça is experiencing a much-lauded revival. The alcohol's artisanal producders are using fine oak or indigenous wooden casks to give the libation colour and flavour as the aging process can last from one to twelve years. 99% of cachaça stays in Brazil and given that some two billion litres of the stuff is produced every year, that's a clear indication of how much Brazilians love their sugar-cane based liquor!
Leaving Latin America, you can try your hand at a more Asian-inspired cocktail, The Beijing Mule made with Yuzu juice, ginger beer and a juice-packed slice of fresh Asian pear. This recipe was crafted by Cameron Bogue, Smirnoff Vodka's resident mixologist.
Other Bogue creations include: the Hawaiian inspired Puka Shell (think an elegant coffee-based cocktail that's so sinfully good, it can double as dessert!), his ode to New Orleans called Boisson(the perfect way to start off a romantic summer evening- this libation uses Parfait Amour- a rose petal infused liquor sure to impress your significant other!), and the apple accented tribute to NYC, The Big Apple.
If you have access to some wonderful honey where you live, what better way to use some than in the Honey Rose cocktail. A hint of lavender makes this aromatic cocktail a work of art with a hand from mother nature. For you cherry lovers out there, try the Cherry Vedder. The recipe calls for Montmorency cherries, but if you’ve got fresh, seasonal cherries in your neck of the wood, use those- they’ll be just as delectable no doubt.
And finally, no backyard, pool-side or BBQ gathering would be complete without a drink or two made with Smirnoff’s Blueberry Vodka. Here are some of their newest recipes that you can enjoy in warm weather, or whenever the mood strikes! Cheers!
Blueberry Martini
- 1.5 oz Smirnoff Blueberry Flavored Vodka
- 1 oz of white or red cranberry juice
- 1 oz of tonic or soda
- Squeeze of Lime
- Shake and strain into a chilled Martini glass
Bitter-Berry Lemonade
- 1 ½ oz Smirnoff® Blueberry Flavored Vodka
- 5 oz Homemade Bitter Lemon Soda*
- Build ingredients in a tall glass on ice. Garnish with blueberries.
*Bitter Lemon Soda
- 3 oz Lemon Juice
- 1½ oz Simple Syrup
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1½ cups Cold Water
- 25 drops Quinine Tincture
- Combine all ingredients in Soda Siphon using 2 Charges.
Celestina
- 1 bottle Albarino
- 7.5 oz Smirnoff® Blueberry Flavored Vodka
- 1 Orange
- 2 cups Golden Raspberries
- ½ cups Lemon Juice
- ½ cup Sugar
- Combine all ingredients in a carafe and refrigerate overnight. Pour 4 oz servings over ice and top with 3 oz soda water. Garnish with blueberries. (Serves 10, each serving = ¾ vodka and 2.5 oz wine)
Blue Lassi
- 4 oz Organic Whole Milk Yogurt
- 1 ½ Smirnoff® Blueberry Flavored Vodka
- 1 ½ oz Whole Milk
- 3 Tbsp Demerera Sugar
- 1 tsp Rose Flower Water
- 1 Green Cardamom Pod
- ½ Apricot
- Mint Sprig
- Blend all ingredients with immersion blender in a mixing bowl until smooth. Serve cold in a short glass without ice as an aperitif. Garnish with a mint sprig.
Bitter Berry Lemonade
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