2008.06.13
Summertime sipping
If the hot weather and countertops covered with green beans and tomatoes didn't tell me it was summer, I always had another telltale sign when I was a kid. Mom would take out her tall, slender, frosted glass and mix herself a gin and tonic with a fat wedge of lime.
That was her special gin and tonic glass, meant just for her favorite summertime cocktail.
Although I've met many people who also find gin and tonics refreshing, I've never been able to stomach them myself. Maybe because I dislike gin and I dislike tonic. I could suck on the lime wedge, but what good would that do me?
I've always been fascinated by people's "signature" drinks. I know some folks stick to their Jack and Coke no matter the season, but I do find that some people switch up their drink of choice in the summertime.
My personal favorite summertime cocktail is a Cape Cod: vodka mixed with cranberry juice and garnished with lime. I like margaritas, but they can sometimes be overly sweet and heavy, in my opinion. And mojitos are good, but take a little time to throw together.
What makes a good summertime cocktail, besides simplicity? I would say light flavors, no dairy ingredients and lots of ice. Citrus flavors are typically very refreshing during hot weather, too.
I've got a fantastic book called "Slurp" by Nina Dreyer Hensley, Jim Hensley and Paul Lowe (I guess it took lots of people to test out all those concoctions). I'm going to share a summery recipe or two from this book, and I'd love to know: What's your favorite summertime cocktail?
Pink Lady
(Serves 1)
1 oz. light rum
1 Tbsp. sugar
Crushed ice
1 oz. cranberry juice
Soda water
Fresh raspberries for garnish (optional)
Pour the rum and sugar into a glass filled with crushed ice. Stir really well. Pour in the cranberry juice and top off the rest of the glass with soda water. Garnish with raspberries and serve.
Bellini
(Serves 1)
1/2 peach, pitted
Chilled champagne
Run the peach through a blender until it is completely pureed. Pour into a glass and top off with chilled champagne. Serve immediately.
Citron Crush
(Serves 1)
1 oz. lemon vodka
0.75 oz. simple syrup
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Crushed ice
Grated lemon zest, for garnish
Pour the vodka, simple syrup and lemon juice into a shaker and shake well. Fill a glass with crushed ice and pour in the cocktail. Sprinkle a little grated lemon zest over the top and serve.
Source: "Slurp" by Nina Dreyer Hensley, Jim Hensley and Paul Lowe.
A Corona with a lime.
Comment by Amy Hanek — June 13, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
It seems that the flavor of the past 12-18 months is Mojito. If made properly, a Mojito is a pretty refreshing summer drink. Prior to the Mojito, Pomegranate seemed to be the flavor to infuse everything with. There's a Pomegranate Liquor called Pama that mixed with any clear soda (or club soda) is really tasty.
Personally, I put a few shots of Captain Morgan in a large plastic cup filled with ice and topped with a full can of sprite. It tastes sort of like Cream Soda. Add a squeeze of lime and the slightest spritz of Malibu Coconut Rum on top and it becomes a very tasty tropical drink.
Comment by scott — June 13, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
Lindsey, once again you've landed on my favorite subject--cocktails. I have to admit that I love a good gin & tonic when it's hot outside. Last summer my bourbon-loving friends and I stumbled upon a drink. We picked up one of those Bacardi Peach Daiquiri mixers at the grocer's freezer and substituted bourbon for the rum that was called for on the package. It was great--and has become a summertime staple.
One of the days I'll get you my secret recipe for Cilantro-infused Margaritas. They're quite delicious!
I have to admit in the summer heat of Texas I've been craving a cucumber-melon cocktail. Anyone have any ideas for that?
Comment by Jason Pafford — June 13, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
Jason, check this out:
SKYY Cucumber-Melontini
2 oz. SKYY Melon vodka
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Fresh cucumber
PREPARATION:
1. Muddle a few slices of cucumber over ice in a mixing glass.
2. Pour the muddled cucumber, vodka and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Shake well.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a cucumber slice.
Comment by Lindsey — June 13, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
My sister-in-law loves mojitos so much she drank non-alcholic version during her pregnancy. I've never indulged in one, and may have to experiment.
I have a friend who makes me Purple Nurples. They are YUMMY and taste like grape kool aid!
Comment by Amy Hanek — June 13, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
What is in a Purple Nurple? I like the name.
Comment by Lindsey — June 13, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
It's yummy too.
Malibu Coconut Rum
Triple Sec
Blue Curacao
Cranberry Juice
Mix and serve over ice.
Here's the link:
http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink7905.html
This link will fill you in on the amounts. Try it at home or make sure you aren't driving anywhere - it will sneak up on you!!
Comment by Amy Hanek — June 13, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
My own concoction, "drunk on the deck!" It's a HEAVY pour of Tanguray gin over ice in a pint glass. Fill the rest of the glass half and half w/ sour mix and cranberry juice. It's so refreshing that it makes you think of summertime, and "getting drunk on the deck!" Hence the name. You can sub a good vodka for the gin and it's still good.
Comment by Dennis — June 13, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
Ahhhh...my fave of the moment is a drink made by one of the bartenders at Trio - A Fun Dip. Yes, it tastes exactly like the candy! YUMMMMMMY!
Comment by Amanda — June 13, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
Nothing beats a bucket of iced-down Rolling Rock ponies.
Comment by M. Armstrong — June 15, 2008 @ 7:14 am
Lindsey,
If you're a fan of the Cape Cod, try it with Three Olives Grape Vodka. if you like the taste of grape at all - - you'll love this twist on the standard Cape Cod.
Comment by Kenn — June 16, 2008 @ 9:26 am
Lots of great suggestions for summer cocktails. Here's another easy one: vodka and lemonade. For a sparkle (or to cut the tang), just add a splash of club soda or lemon-lime soda.
Comment by Lindsey — June 16, 2008 @ 11:26 am
A friend of mine discovered the delicious combo of strawberry vodka with a Sonic strawberry limeade last year. YUM!!
My husband and I also like Southern Comfort and raspberry lemonade. Or ginger ale and vanilla vodka - tastes like a cream soda!
Alas, I am 8 months pregnant and cannot have any of my favorite adult beverages! I've found some good mock-tail recipes, but have not tried them out yet.
Comment by Lori — June 17, 2008 @ 10:04 am
We love to do coconut frozen lemonade... A thing of lemonade concentrate, a healthy dose of coconut rum and some crushed ice, all blended together in the blender to smoothie consistancy... So good!
Comment by Min — June 17, 2008 @ 11:38 am
Most of the time I drink Bushmills neat.
But during the summer I switch it up and drink Bushmills on the rocks.
Comment by Mason — June 17, 2008 @ 12:08 pm