Looks like we’re not at the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer just yet, but hopefully it will be soon. Lounging in a hammock, tanning in the sun, a relaxing boat trip – and how about a refreshing drink to round out the whole scenario.
I’m more of a seltzer or wine person, although a cold beer is certainly refreshing. Sometimes, especially when it comes to a group, it’s nice to try something different.
There seem to be so many new cocktail drinks on the market, especially with the pointed seltzers, so I guess it just depends on one’s taste buds which direction to go.
A colleague told me about a cocktail that combines cinnamon whiskey with Bloody Mary mix – neither of us have tried it, but it doesn’t sound appealing at all! I’ll stick to the basics.
Enjoy these recipes on a hot summer day, or just because – in moderation, of course.
Diane’s Slush
Recipe by: Stacy Andersen Cooking with friends
• 1 large can of pineapple juice
• 1 large can of apricot nectar
• 1 (12 oz. can) frozen orange juice
• 1 (12 oz. can) frozen lemonade
• 1 pint of vodka
• 1 pint of apricot brandy
• 7 – Up
Mix well and freeze all ingredients except the 7-Up. Serve in a tall glass with 2/3 cup slush and 1/3 cup 7-Up.
Orange Slush
Recipe by: Marta Bailey Cooking with friends
• 1 large can of frozen orange juice
• 1 large can of frozen lemonade
• 1 c. strong tea, made with 2 tea bags
• 3 1/2 c. water
• 1 c. vodka
• 1 c. sugar
• 7 – Up
Mix and freeze all ingredients except 7-Up. Make a day ahead. Spoon into old-fashioned glasses, 3/4 full. Fill the glass with 7-Up. Garnish with a slice of cherry and orange. Serve with straw. If it’s for kids, omit sugar and vodka.
Ocean Spray Cosmopolitan
Recipe by: Allrecipes Member www.allrecipes.com
• 1 1/2 oz. vodka
• 1 1/2 oz. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice
Beverage, any flavor, chilled
• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1 strip of lemon twist, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker half filled with ice, combine all ingredients and shake well. Strain the mixture into a chilled stemmed cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. (Yield: 1 serving)
Singapore Sling Slush
Recipe by: Kris www.allrecipes.com
• 1/2 c. White sugar
• 4 c. water
• 1/2 c. grenadine syrup
• 1/2 c. cherry juice
• 1/2 c. lemon juice
• 1/2 c. cherry brandy liqueur
• 2 c. gin
• 2 1/2 c. pineapple juice
• 1 (6 oz can) frozen pink lemonade
concentrate, thawed
• 2 (2 liter) bottles of lemon-lime flavoured
carbonated drink
• 46 maraschino cherries
Dissolve the sugar in the water in a gallon-sized freezer-safe container. Stir in the grenadine, cherry juice, lemon juice, cherry brandy, gin, pineapple juice, and lemonade concentrate. Freeze for 24 hours and stir at least twice during this time.
To serve, place 1/4 cup of the slush in a glass and top with lime-lime soda. Garnish with a cherry to serve. (Yield: 46 servings)
Pineapple White Wine Cocktail
Recipe by: Brittany Scott www.allrecipes.com
• 2/3 c. White wine
• 1/3 c. fizzy lemon-lime flavor
drink
• 1/3 c. pineapple juice
• 3 pineapple chunks, diced, or more for
flavor (can use canned)
All ingredients must be refrigerated. Pour white wine, lime-lime drink, pineapple juice and pineapple chunks into a glass. Stir to combine. (Yield: 1 serving)
Strawberry Margarita
Recipe by: ROXON99 www.allrecipes.com
• 1 (10 oz.) package frozen strawberries
• 1 (6 oz can) frozen pink lemonade
to concentrate
• 1 c. tequila
• 1/4 c. triple second
• Ice cubes
Place strawberries, lemonade concentrate, tequila and triple sec in a blender. Mix until smooth. Add ice cubes if necessary. (Yield: 4 servings)
cosmopolitan
Recipe by: Laura Kvistad Tasteful Treasures
• 1/2 oz. triple second
• 1/2 oz. sweet and sour mix
• 3 ounces. citrus vodka
• Splash of cranberry juice
Mix in shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a dash of lemon zest. Sit back and relax – slide out slowly – repeat if necessary. (Yield: 1 serving)
mojitos
Recipe by: Jeanne Sullwold Tasteful Treasures
• 1 1/2 oz. light rum
• 12 fresh spearmint leaves, crushed
• 1/2 lime
• 7 ounces. soda water
• 4 tsp. sugar
Squeeze lime into a cool tall glass. Drop lime into glass. Mix in sugar. Fill the glass with ice and add rum and club soda. Stir well. Garnish with a few sprigs of mint. (Yield: 1 serving)
sangria
Recipe by: Betti Heuer Tasteful Treasures
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 3/4 c. water
• 1 seedless orange
• 1 lemon
• 1 bottle of dry red wine
• 28 oz. bottle of carbonated water
Combine sugar and water in a saucepan; heat, stir until boiling. Cook quickly for 3 – 4 minutes; cool. Cut the orange and lemon into slices and halve the orange and lemon slices. Place in a bowl. Add sugar syrup and let it sit for at least 3 – 4 hours. Before serving, place fruit and syrup in a pitcher and stir in wine and carbonated water.
Strip & Go Nude
Recipe by: Sharon Nelson Tasteful Treasures
• 1 can of frozen lemonade concentrate
• 1 can of favorite whiskey
• 1 can of favorite beer
Pour the frozen lemonade into a 2-quart pitcher. Fill the lemonade can with your favorite whiskey and pour it into the pitcher. Add a can of your favorite beer. Blend, pour into glass with ice, sit back and enjoy.
Pitcher Perfect Margaritas
Recipe by: TATTOOMAMA www.allrecipes.com
• 2 c. tequila
• 1 c. triple second
• 3/4 c. fresh lime juice
• 3/4 c. sweetened lime juice
• 3 c. ice
• Kosher salt
• 8 lime wedges
Combine the tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, sweetened lime juice, and ice in a large pitcher; stir. Pour the kosher salt onto a plate. Rub the rim of a glass with a lemon wedge. Dip the rim of the glass in the salt; fill glass with margarita mixture; repeat for each serving. (Yield: 8 servings)
