Woodford Reserve Spire cocktail
Summer sun is here again, and it’s officially the season of barbecues, pool parties and rooftop soirees. That means it’s time to whip up a batch of your favorite cold cocktail and entertain friends, family, or even just yourself.
Whether you’re a cognac drinker or a creamsicle lover, a whiskey drinker or someone who prefers to abstain from alcohol all together, we’ve gathered some delightful summer cocktail and mocktail recipes to tickle your fancy and enliven your next event.
See also: 12 Wines Perfect For Summer Sipping
Try one or more of these concoctions on for size, and let the good times roll.
From the great minds at D’Usse comes a refreshing twist on the childhood favorite. Mix it with any of your favorite fruit flavors for an extra-special burst of summer.
Ingredients:
Directions: Add D’Usse, lemonade and fruits (if using) into an ice-filled highball glass and mix.
Speaking of childhood favorites, what’s better on a hot summer day than a delicious creamsicle? We think this coconut flavored creamsicle cocktail from 1800 Tequila is the only thing that’s got that sweet treat beat.
Ingredients:
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, and garnish with a salt rim and lemon wheel.
Looking to put a funky twist on the traditional margarita? Grand Marnier has a rich alternative that’ll add real dimension to your summer sips.
Ingredients:
Directions: Fill a wide, shallow dish with 2 to 3 mm of fine salt. Cut a lime in half at the width, and rub it around half of the rim of a margarita glass. Cut a thin, crosswise slice from one of the lime halves for garnish. Holding the glass upside down, dip the wet half delicately into the salt. Shake the Grand Marnier, tequila and lime juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into your glass, and apply lime garnish to the rim.
Bourbon is great to warm your bones in the colder months, but mixed with some lemonade and cranberry juice, it becomes a real summer hit. Try this recipe from Woodford Reserve and see what we mean.
Ingredients:
Directions: Add ingredients to a mixing glass and stir. Pour over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Ruby Moon Sangria Magic Hour Cocktail Recipes from Club Magic Hour on Vimeo.
Herbal tea is the hero in this delightfully fruity mix that tastes a bit like a red Jolly Rancher. Thanks to the good folks at Magic Hour for the recipe, and for the following three mocktail mixes, too.
Ingredients:
Directions: Mix all the ingredients over ice, and enjoy!
Magic Hour Cocktail Mantra Mojito Mint with Zhena & Ashley! from Club Magic Hour on Vimeo.
This mocktail recipe from Magic Hour uses the Mantra Mint syrup to create a hangover-free twist on the classic mojito. Feel free to add rum if you’d like to make it adult-only.
Ingredients:
Directions: Mix all the ingredients over ice, and enjoy!
Butterfly Blue Vodka Lemonade: Magic Hour Cocktails with Zhena & Ashley! from Club Magic Hour on Vimeo.
Want to relax while enjoying the summer sun? A bit of lavender syrup adds some enchanting romance to this beautiful blue mix.
Ingredients:
Directions: Mix all the ingredients over ice, and enjoy!
Magic Hour: How to Make A Goddess Green Fiz Mocktail from Club Magic Hour on Vimeo.
Lemongrass, apricot and lychee flavors create the base of this Goddess Green Tea from Magic Hour, and it also sets a fresh tone for the pineapple fizz to follow.
Ingredients:
Directions: Mix all the ingredients over ice, and enjoy!
Photography by: Courtesy of Woodford Reserve; Courtesy of D'Usse; Courtesy of 1800 Tequila; Courtesy of Grand Marnier; Courtesy of Woodford Reserve
