Pisco SourWhat other South American drink has its own calendar day? That's right, the first Saturday in February is National Pisco Sour Day in Peru! This sweet & sour beverage is a wonderful treat on a warm summer's day. Mix the following:
- 2oz Pisco
- 1oz limejuice
- 3/4oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
Shake the ingredients vigorously and finish with a dash of bitters.
Blue LagoonRemember how refreshing a cool glass of lemonade was after a long day of playing outdoors as a child? This easy summertime favorite makes lemonade more appealing for the mature crowd:
- 1oz vodka
- 5oz lemonade
- 1oz Blue CuracaoLiqueur
Shake vodka and Blue CuracaoLiqueur well. Add 1oz Grenadine and ice to a highball glass. Pour vodka a Curacao over ice and fill glass with lemonade. Garnish with a lemon wedge and maraschino cherry.
Mai TaiIf rum is your alcohol of choice, try this refreshing cocktail with a tropical flair:
- 2oz 17-year-old J. Wray Nephew Jamaican rum
- 1/2oz French Garnier Orgeat
- 1/2oz Orange CuracaoLiqueur
- 1/4oz Rock Candy Syrup
- juice from one fresh lime
Shake with crushed ice, serve in a rocks glass, garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedges. And yes, it must have the mint garnish to be a Mai Tai.
Mint JulepWhen life gets hot below the Mason-Dixon Line, Southerners cool off with a refreshing Mint Julep. The Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and should be enjoyed wearing an elegantly over-sized, hat in accordance to tradition. To enjoy your own Southern-style sip:
- 3oz Bourbon Whiskey
- 4 or more mint leaves
- sugar to taste
Muddle together sugar and mint. Add bourbon and serve in a tall glass crammed full of shaved ice.
CaipirinhaThe national cocktail of Brazil, the Caipirinha has been making its way around the world and is currently being served in the trendiest bars around the U.S. Slip on your Brazilian-style swimsuit and sarong and enjoy amongst friends. If you can't find Cachaça, substitute vodka for a Caipivodka or rum for a Caipirissima. You can also experiment by mixing in different kinds of fruits. To make, according to the International Bartenders Association:
- 1 2/3 oz Cachaça or substitute
- 1/2 fresh cut lime cut into 4 wedges
- 4 tsp Muscovado sugar
Muddle together lime and sugar in an old-fashioned glass, fill with ice and then top with the Cachaça and garnish with a lime.
Sea BreezePotent enough for a man, but fruity enough for a woman, behold the Sea Breeze. This is the perfect summer drink because of its use of fresh fruit juices combined with vodka. The ingredients for a Sea Breeze are:
- 2oz vodka
- 6oz cranberry juice
- 2oz grapefruit juice
According to the International Bartenders Association, a Sea Breeze is to be served in a Highball glass filled with ice and garnished with a lime wedge. For a variation on the Sea Breeze, sometimes known as a Bay Breeze, substitute pineapple juice for the grapefruit juice. Celebrate the Sea Breeze by enjoying it on the high seas aboard a yacht or on the deck of a luxurious beach summer home.
Singapore SlingThis Malaysian favorite is the perfect sweet gin drink to chill out in the shade with. The official IBA recipe is as follows:
- 8 parts gin
- 4 parts cherry brandy
- 1 part Cointreau
- 1 part Bénédictine
- 2 parts Grenadine
- 16 parts pineapple juice
- 6 parts lemon juice
- 1 dash bitters
Shake with ice, serve in a rocks glass, and garnish with pineapple and maraschino cherry.
SangriaSangria is an old favorite that gets revitalized every few years. A favorite in Spain and Portugal, Sangria is a great party cocktail as it looks great served in a pitcher or bowl with floating fruit. It is also one of those drinks that can hardly go wrong, because you can use so many different ingredients and it will still taste great. Although traditionally made with red wine, summertime whites can also be used.
- 1 bottle red or white wine
- 2-3 pieces of chopped or sliced fruit (apples, peaches, oranges pineapple or whatever is in season)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1oz brandy or triple sec
- 3 scoops of ice
- 16oz carbonated soda (optional)
Mix together and serve in a pitcher or punch bowl, complete with fruit.
Raspberry MintThe sweet, dry, pine kernel flavor of Angelica Root helps tie together the bouquet of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, allowing drinks like the SAPPHIRE ® Raspberry Mint to come to life.
- ? parts BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin
- fresh lemon half
- dash of simple syrup to taste
- 5 fresh raspberries
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- top with club soda or lemonlime soda
In a tall glass, muddle the raspberries and mint leaves. Fill the glass with ice and squeeze in the juice from half a lemon. Add simple syrup and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin and mix thoroughly. Top with club soda or lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
Funky MonkeyYou'll go bananas for this monkey. Best served by the pool, slip into your favorite swim suit, get the blender, and grab the following:
- 1oz Mount Gay Barbados rum
- 1oz creme de bananes
- 5/8oz dark creme de cocao
- 3oz coconut milk
- 1 banana
Blend with ice thoroughly, pour into a chilled daiquiri glass, and garnish with coconut flakes or fruit wedge.
