Sweet Tea Sangria
Combine two of the most refreshing staple summer drinks and what do you get? Sweet tea sangria. This cocktail is perfect for patio sipping and a fantastic way to keep guests relaxed during those warm summer evenings.
Ingredients:
- 1 750-ml. bottle white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
- 4 c. sweet tea
- 1/4 c. triple sec
- 2 c. sliced frozen peaches
- 2 c. raspberries
- Fresh mint, for garnish
How to make it:
- In a pitcher, combine wine, sweet tea, triple sec, frozen peaches and raspberries and stir until combined. Refrigerate until chilled.
- Serve garnished with mint.
Mermaid Mules
Mermaid is the trend of the season, represented by fun colors and fresh tastes. Put a beachy twist on the classic mule by adding Blue Curaçao to the mix.
Ingredients:
- 6 oz. vodka
- 3 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 3 oz. lime juice
- 1 oz. (12-oz.) can ginger beer
- 3 lime rounds, for garnish
- Paper umbrellas, for garnish (optional)
How to make it:
- Divide vodka, blue curaçao, and lime juice between 3 glasses and stir to combine. Fill glasses with ice and top off each drink with ginger beer. Garnish with lime rounds and umbrella, if using.
Pineapple Mojito
Take a page from the cult classic Piña Colada and apply it to another cult favorite, the mojito, and you get an irresistibly summer-ific drink.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup pineapple, finely chopped
- 5 mint leaves
- 1 teaspoons sugar (or more depending on the sweetness of the pineapple)
- 2 ounces white rum
- juice from 1/4 lime
- club soda for serving
- wedges of pineapple and mint leaves for garnish
How to make it:
- Place pineapple, mint leaves and sugar in a cocktail shaker and muddle with a cocktail muddler or handle of a wooden spoon.
- Add rum, lime juice and ice. Replace lid and shake until chilled.
- Strain cocktail into 2 ice filled glasses and top with club soda. Garnish with mint leaves and pineapple wedges. Enjoy!
Lemonade Mint Julep
A Kentucky Derby classic, the mint julep is a fantastic drink choice for those sweltering summer days. Make it even better by adding another summer favorite to it, lemonade.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Kentucky Bourbon (like Woodford Reserve)
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 4-5 Mint leaves muddled
- 1/2 cup Lemon sparkling water cold
How to make it:
- In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, add the mint leaves and muddle. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Add the bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Fit the cocktail shaker with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously.
- Fill a glass with ice, and pour the cocktail over the ice. Top off the cocktail with the lemon sparkling water. Garnish glass with a lemon slice and mint sprig, if desired. Enjoy right away while cold.
Customers crave a refreshing beverage to pair with the summer heat. Try adding some of these summer staples with a twist to your menu to draw people into your bar for the cool sensation they’re looking for.