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Cheers to Summer: 10 Must-Have Drink Recipes to Sip in the Sun
Cherry POM
Cherry POM
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  • June 26, 2014 - 10:31am
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1. Cherry POM

 

While Southern Comfort-loving frat boys are slinging back Soco and Limes like their paddles depend on it – because heterosexuality is only 55 proof in a house with wall-to-wall dudes – you can take a more sophisticated approach to the New Orleans-born spirit by serving up these come-to-papa Cherry POMs poolside this summer.

 

1 1/4 oz Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry
2 oz lemonade
1 oz pomegranate juice
Lemon twist garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into
large rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lemon twist.

 

2. Green Iced Tea

 

Tea sommelier James Labe – did you know there was such a thing? – has created several healthy-as-they-come cocktails using various Numi Organic flavors. This recipe introduces ginger lemon to tequila for a whole new take on teatime.

1 Numi Decaf Ginger Lemon Tea
3 oz fresh cucumber juice
1 1/2 oz tequila
Splash of Lemon Juice

Infuse one tea bag in tequila for 30 minutes, then remove bag, squeezing
out excess. Combine and stir ingredients. Serve on the rocks. Garnish with lime wedge.

 

3. Skinny Colada

 

If you’re minding your beach body this summer – in hopes that someone else wouldn’t mind it, of course – you’ll want to add this simple-but-satisfying booze fix to the mix.

 

3 parts Vita Coco Coconut Water with Pineapple

1 part coconut rum

 

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add Vita Coco Coconut Water with Pineapple and coconut rum. Stir, sip and enjoy.

 

4. Passion XO Fun in the Sun Spritzer

 

When you can’t whisk yourself away to a tropical locale this summer, enjoy the next best thing with this fruity concoction of island flavors that’ll kick your gay staycation into high gear. 

2 bottles of Passion XO Sun
12 oz reposado tequila
20 oz passion fruit juice
10 oz lime juice
4 oz agave nectar
Lime wheels and mint sprigs

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl and serve over fresh ice in a rocks
glass. Garnish with lime wheels and mint sprigs.

 

5. Berentzen Pear Bramble

 

Berentzen – well known for its fruit liqueurs in Europe – has set its sights stateside with a slew of back-porch-perfect recipes ideal for unwinding on a balmy summer’s eve. If you happen to live in a place where you can pick your own berries, all the better.

1 oz Berentzen Pear
1 oz gin
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
4 blackberries
1 pear slice

Muddle three blackberries in mixing glass. Add Berentzen Pear, gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Stir gently and strain into large rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a blackberry and slice of pear.

 

6. Añejo Highball

 

Don’t have time to tailgate the Airstream Speakeasy as it travels cross-country this summer? Never fear. This bespoke mobile VIP cocktail experience, in partnership with Tequila Don Julio, brings the party to you with a few Mex-cellent masterpieces, including this recipe with a citrus splash.

 

1 1/4 oz Tequila Don Julio Añejo
1/3 oz orange liqueur

1/4 tsp fresh lime juice

Ginger beer

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Lime wedge

 

Combine Tequila Don Julio Añejo, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a highball glass over ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.

 

7. Espresso Martini

 

Start the day with even more pep in your step with this decidedly weekend take on a weekday staple. Up and at ‘em.

 

1 1/2 parts Kahlúa

1 part Absolut Vodka

1 fresh brewed espresso

 

Fill a shaker with ice, add Kahlúa, Absolut Vodka and a fresh brewed espresso. Shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a couple fresh espresso beans.

 

8. 43 Pineapple

 

No faux luau would be complete without this sweet treat that’ll bring you one step closer to getting leied.  

 

1 1/4 oz Licor 43
1/3 oz Luksusowa Vodka
6 oz pineapple juice
 

Shake and strain over fresh ice in a highball glass and garnish with an orange wheel.

 

9. Wise Margarita

 

The Owl’s Brew – artisanal, fresh-brewed, ready-to-pour teas crafted especially for cocktails – are essential to those lazy summer brunches where less work means more play. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view.

 

1 part fresh pressed watermelon juice

1 part Pink & Black

1 part tequila

 

Shake with mint. Garnish with mint, lime and watermelon

 

10. Ocean Thai Berry

 

You can almost hear the bare-chested beach volleyball team slappin’ ass when you put your ear up to the glass. Do you need another reason to get this drink on?

 

1 1/2 oz Ocean Vodka

2 oz fresh strawberries

1 oz fresh lemonade

4 fresh Thai basil leaves

1 oz club soda

 

Muddle strawberries and Thai basil in the bottom of a shaker. Add Ocean Vodka and lemonade, and bruise. Pour into a collins glass and top with club soda. Garnish with a basil leaf.