Quick n’ Easy Summer Cocktails
Impress guests with these simple cocktails
Summer is here and the temps are rising, time for a cool, crisp cocktail. I love bringing out my inner mixologist and trying new cocktail recipes. Drinking my creations isn’t half bad either! Summer should be simple so all these cocktail requires minimal ingredients and are easy to whip up. Whether you are pre-partying for girl's night or settling in for a night with your sweetie, these drinks are sure to impress!
Note: I don't like sugary drinks so I usually cut the simple syrup by half or substitute in a splash of tonic water. So if the alcohol level is not to your taste reduce by ½ or 1 oz.
Entertaining essentials
Salted Greyhound
—
3 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
2 oz vodka
Sea salt for glass rim
—
Shake in cocktail shaker until icee cold
Garnish with fresh grapefruit slices
Alcohol Suggestion
Pro-tip
To salt the rim of a glass:
Wet the top ½" of the glass
Pour and spread sea salt on a plate
Dip the rim in salt
1 serving
Rosé Champagne Cocktail
—
½ oz vodka
4 oz champagne rosé*
—
Pour in champagne glass
Stir gently with cocktail stirrer
Garnish with frozen raspberries
Alcohol Suggestion
Ketel One Vodka
Moët Rosé Impérial
Pro-tip
The boozy raspberry garnish is a delicious way to finish the drink
* You can substitute a brut rosé for champagne. La Burgondie Rosé Brut is a great choice and is available at Trader Joe's
1 serving
Georgia Moscow Mule
—
2 tbls fresh peaches, muddled*
2 oz vodka
2 oz peach juice
4 oz ginger beer
—
Shake peach and vodka in cocktail shaker until ice cold
Add and stir vodka, peach, and ginger beer in a Moscow mule cup
Garnish with a peach slice, or ginger candy
Alcohol/mixer Suggestions
Ketel One Vodka
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Pro-tip
Dice the peaches, sprinkle with sugar, and microwave for 20–30 seconds. This will soften them up and provide sweetness without using simple syrup. Muddle, strain, and cool before serving.
1 serving
Fizzy Cucumber Gimlet
—
½ Persian cucumber
2 oz gin
4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice*
4 oz tonic water
—
Shake in cocktail shaker until icee cold
Garnish with cucumber or mint
Alcohol Suggestion
Broker's Premium London Dry Gin
Fever-tree Tonic Water
Pro-tip
Small dice the Persian cucumber and combine with the lime juice. Buzz mixture with a hand immersion blender until all the cucumber pieces are blended.
*This drink can be a little tart so feel free to add simple syrup to your sweetness preference.
1 serving
Final Thoughts
For a quick cocktail try Owls Brew mixer. It's a delicious all-natural tea blend I discovered at an artisanal fair in Los Angeles. I love the Classic Brew mixed with vodka!