Most people have a rotation of drinks that they stick to throughout their lives. That rotation changes as people get older and their tastes change, but it still doesn't change drastically. For example, my rotation would include any IPA, Jack n' Coke, Vodka Cranberry and the vast majority of daiquiris, 'cause who doesn't love sipping a daiquiri in a hammock on a tropical island?
That being said, there's a time and place for each drink. I would never drink an IPA at 2pm on a Friday during summer in Arizona, because that sounds awful and miserable and I'm already sweating thinking about it. On the other hand, I would never drink a Daquiri while eating a Whiskey River BBQ Burger at Red Robin. People just don't do weird things like that.
Summer calls for a very specific kind of drink, one that's a bit fruity and a bit sweet, but not overbearing. Above all else, summer requires STRONG drinks. With that being said, these are my 10 choices for most desirable summer cocktails.
Classic Mojito
While not a particularly special or surprising cocktail, it still manages to pull its weight at the top with the best of the best. This particularly lovely Mojito with the special sugar cane garnish can be found at The Bar at Level 25 at Conrad Hotels & Resorts.
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Silver Rum
8 Mint Leaves
1 Lime, Wedged
.5 oz Simple Syrup
Club Soda
Dash of Bitters (Optional)
Instructions:
-In mixing glass, muddle mint and limes with Rum
-Add simple syrup
-Pack with ice and shake
-Pour contents into chilled glass
-Top with club soda (and a dash of bitters an added twist)
-Garnish with Mint leaves and Sugar Cane Stick
Ella's Sinful Secret
This beauty is one of six showstoppers that come out of Hilton New Orleans Riverside's bar known as Public Belt. These drinks hail from legends based on the Storyville Women, the ladies of the night working the red light district at the time. The name makes more sense now, doesn't it?
Ingredients:
1 oz Gin
1 oz Elderflower Liqueur
1 oz Dry Vermouth
3 Drops Celery Bitters
Instructions:
-Add all ingredients to ice-filled mixing glass
-Stir well
-Strain into cocktail glass
-Garnish with lemon and orange twist
Pretty Sadie's Swizzle
The next harlot on our list of working girl drinks is Pretty Sadie's Swizzle. With a smokey, luscious red-brown hue and a delicately placed garnishes, this pretty lady will have you wondering where the hell she's been all your life. Now you know.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Dark Rum
1 oz Fresh Lime
3 drops Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
-Add to a short ice filled glass
-Swizzle
-Garnish with mint bouquet dusted with powdered sugar and blackberries.
Fanny's Sweet Rhythm
Number three of six on our list of floozy-praising beverages is Fanny's Sweet Rhythm, falling in line with the other hardworking women of the evening. If Fanny's rhythm is as smooth and deliberate as this cocktail, then any hardworking men will surely enjoy this as much as Fanny's fanny.
Ingredients:
2 oz Gin
1 oz Green Chartreuse
3 Drops of Orange Bitters
5 Mint Leaves
Instructions:
-Add all ingredients to mixing glass
-Add ice to tin
-Shake well
-Strain into cocktail glass
-Garnish with mint bouquet and lime wheel.
(Option to light on fire: invert spent lime shell. Fill with over-proof spirit and light.)
Florence's Floozy Fix
Number four revolves around yet another vice that likely haunted these women during their time in the "service" industry. With a thick, luscious orange tone and served in a martini glass, this drink will seamlessly cool you down and get you tipsy in the best way possible.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Bourbon
1 oz Fresh Orange Juice
Instructions:
-Add all ingredients to mixing glass
-Add ice to tin
-Shake well
-Strain into cocktail glass
-Garnish with an orange and lemon twist
Lulu's Clever Hands
This Godsend is our fifth lady. This spritzy, refreshing number packs a citrusy punch to go along with the very summer-inspired look of raspberry lemonade. It also boasts, what I think, is the most fun garnish of all the drinks. If only this drink gave insight into how clever Lulu's hands truly are.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Citrus Vodka
3 Drops of Peychaud’s Bitters
Ginger Beer
Instructions:
-Add all ingredients to an ice-filled tall glass
-Stir
-Garnish with cucumber ribbon
Storyville Minx
The Storyville Minx, the last of the six harlots, stands out above the rest for two reasons: the delightful garnish and the ginger liqueur, an ingredient not often used in cocktails. But the pineapple leaf garnish gives it a sort of life and vigor that makes it seem almost animate.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Spiced Rum
1 oz Ginger Liqueur
1 oz Pineapple Juice
Lemon Lime Soda
Instructions:
-Add all ingredients into mixing glass
-Add ice to tin
-Shake well
-Strain into tall glass
-Top with lemon lime soda. Stir. Garnish with a pineapple leaf and lime wheel
Campfire
The aptly named Campfire cocktail might be the most curious drink of all on this list. Served in a metallic mug and adorned with a large and freshly roasted marshmallow, this cocktail is sure to make you feel like you're hearing ghost stories around a campfire with friends and family. This beverage can be found at MYTH Bar in the lobby of Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.
Ingredients:
1 part High West Whiskey
1 part Sweet Water
1 part Choco Bitters
1 Roasted Marshmallow
Instructions:
(check back for updated instructions on 7/29/16)
Queen Bee
The Queen Bee (commonly mistaken for a drink honoring Queen Bey) is another rum-based cocktail, only this time it exudes a tea-like aura, solely because of the ingredients in this simple, classy and elegant drink. Look for this bad gal at the W Resort & Spa on Vieques Island.
Ingredients:
2 oz. 10 Cane Rum
2 tea spoons of honey syrup
2 tea spoons of lemon juice
Instructions:
-Finished with 1 oz. Torre Oria Sparkling Cava
-Stir
-Serve chilled in a champagne flute
Watermelonrita
Although this drink is a little more difficult to make compared to some of the others, the payoff certainly takes the preparation into consideration. With the sweltering summer we're already battling, this beauty from the W Retreat & Spa on Vieques Island is sure to be at the top of the list of most refreshing drinks.
Ingredients:
2 Teaspoons Sugar
1 Lime Wedge
3 1/2 Cups Cubed Seeded Watermelon
1/2 Cup Tequila (Suggested: Patron or Don Julio)
1 to 2 Tablespoons Sugar
3 Tablespoons Lime Juice
1 Tablespoon Triple Sec
Watermelon Balls (optional)
Instructions:
-Place 2 teaspoons sugar in a saucer
-Rub the rims of the glass with 1 lime wedge
-Spin rim of each glass in sugar to coat
-Set prepared glasses aside
-Combine watermelon and next 4 ingredients (through Triple Sec) in a blender; process until smooth
-Fill each prepared glass with 1/2 cup crushed ice
-Add 1/2 cup margarita to each glass
-Garnish with melon balls
