Spring is finally showing itself, and the warm weather has everyone ready for even warmer, more relaxed, and fun-filled summer days. And what pairs with a care (and responsibility) free day better than a fun, summery drink? Absolutely nothing. Compiled below are some of the best (and easiest!) drinks to make this summer.
Gin and Tonic
This is for all my *classic* fans out there. The gin and tonic is a tale as old as time. It turns out to be an extremely uncomplicated recipe that is seriously so refreshing.
Recipe from Gin and Tonic July.
Ingredients:
- Old-Fashioned glass
- 1 shot of gin
- Tonic water
- Lime slice
- Ice
Directions:
Fill glass with ice. Pour gin into glass. Fill remainder of glass up with tonic water. Place lime on rim. Drink.
Salty Dog
Alright, so this is just a variation of the gin and tonic, but it’s still great. And sweet and summery!
Recipe from Crazy for Crust
Ingredients:
- Grapefruit juice
- 1 shot of gin
- Salt
- Lime slice
- Ice
Directions:
Wet rim of glass and dip in salt. Fill glass with ice. Pour gin into glass. Top off the glass with grapefruit juice. Place lime in drink. Enjoy.
A Sunny Take on the Mimosa
For all those early birds (or just anyone that loves breakfast juice-based cocktails), this one’s for you. It not only puts an easy-to-make favorite in the spotlight, but adds a bit of a twist to it. The best part is that a lot of the ingredients are household groceries you probably already have.
Recipe from Damn Delicious
Ingredients:
- Champagne glass
- 1 shot of tequila
- Champagne
- Orange juice
- Orange slice for garnishing
- Sugar for the rim (optional)
Directions:
If desired, wet rim of champagne glass and dip in sugar. Pour tequila first. Pour champagne in after tequila, filling up to halfway of the glass. Top glass off with orange juice and place orange slice on rim. Cheers!
Smoothies Gone Wild
Do you love something cool, refreshing, and filled with healthy fruits in the summer? Here’s how to combine it with all of your day-drinking needs. It’s also customizable to your favorite flavors or just whatever you have available.
Recipe from Styles Weekly
Ingredients:
- Any frozen/fresh fruits
- Frozen juice concentrate
- 2 shots of any flavored vodka
- Ice
- Extra fruit for garnishing
- Blender
Directions:
Slice up any fresh fruits you have for easy blending. Dump juice concentrate contents into blender. Top off blender with fruits. Pour in vodka, and then blend. Top off blender with ice and blend again. Add fruit to rim if desired.
The Hummingbird Sparkler
They call this the “hummingbird” because you’ll want to sip it just as fast as they do nectar. And who doesn’t love something fizzy in the summertime?
Recipe from the Isthmus
Ingredients:
- Collins glass
- Sparkling white wine
- Bottled, cold hibiscus tea (i.e. Argo Tea brand)
- Blackberries
- Lemon/lime slice
- Ice
Directions:
Start by filling the glass halfway with ice. Then fill half of it up with the sparkling wine. Top the rest of it off with the hibiscus tea. Then, add lemon slices and handful of blackberries into drink. Add lemon slice to rim for garnish.
Cuba Libre
You know how they have Coca-Cola with a hint of lime flavor in it? Well, there’s an alcoholic version of that.
Recipe from Caribbean Trading
Ingredients:
- Old-Fashioned glass
- Ice
- Coke
- 1 shot of spiced rum
- 1 shot of lime juice
- 2 lime wedge
Directions:
Fill the glass with ice. Pour shot of rum and shot of lime juice in glass. Top off with Coke and add in lime wedges to the glass.
Blackberry Mojito
If you’re already handy at mixing up mojitos, this one will be a breeze for you. If not, there’s no better time to learn, and honestly the hardest part just involves smushing up berries at the bottom of the glass.
Recipe from Kitchen Swagger
Ingredients:
- Collins glass
- Ice
- ½ cup blackberries
- Handful of mint leaves
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ cup white rum
- Club soda
Directions:
Place blackberries at bottom of glass and muddle them. Place mint leaves. Add lime juice, sugar, and white rum, then mix. Top off with club soda.
Hot, Italian Summer
For those of us familiar with the Italian culture, we know of a special thing called ‘limoncello’. And god bless this special nectar, because it is wonderful, refreshing, and sweet. Here’s an easy take on it.
Recipe from Fabulous Foods
Ingredients:
- Champagne glass
- Chilled sparkling white wine or champagne
- 1 cup limoncello liqueur
- 1 cup raspberries
- Handful of mint leaves
Directions:
Place raspberries and mint leaves at bottom of glass. Pour in limoncello. Top off with chilled wine or champagne.
Moscow Mule
These are insanely popular now, and there’s a reason why. They’re just too tasty. And if you like gin and tonics, these two are a cut from the same cloth.
Recipe from Pinterest
Ingredients:
- Collins glass or copper Moscow Mule mug
- Ice
- 2 shots of vodka
- Ginger beer
Directions:
Place 2 or 3 ice cubes in glass. Add vodka, top off with ginger beer.
Princess Juice
This is one of my own creation, and up until now, a top-secret recipe. But since I think you all deserve the royal treatment this summer, I’m blessing you all with my favorite fruity drink.
Recipe adapted from Celebrations
Ingredients:
- 2 shots Wild Strawberry Skyy Vodka
- Orange soda
- Lemonade
- Ice
Directions:
Fill glass of choosing with ice. Pour vodka in. Fill glass ¾ of the way with orange soda. Top off with lemonade.
Pop on the shades and start sipping!