summercocktails Archives

Although recent rains may try to hide it, summer is right around the corner, and, with no immediate end to this quarantine in sight, it’s time to get creative at home. In fact, it’s time to figure out some killer summer cocktails. One way or another, you’ll be the star of your next backyard soirée, even if it is only for a party of one.

1. Tabernacle Crush

The tabernacle crush is a glass full of class with a complex bouquet of flavors that will leave your guests guessing. It features a muddled peach and basil base with gin and a lovely French aperitif. Each sip tastes like dappled sunlight.

2. Colorado Cooler

This flavorful little drink is for the whiskey lover looking for a solid summer go-to. The base of muddled cherries and mix of club soda, bitters, lemon, and simple syrup creates the perfect stage for a robust barley whiskey. With its slight, vanilla hints, the Colorado Cooler is a fan favorite for those who like to taste their whiskey.

3. Jungle Juice

Sure, the phrase “jungle juice” might bring back painful college memories, but this recipe will override all of those. It’s a little more involved than your typical jungle juice. Still, it offers phenomenal flavor and is ideal for larger parties and restaurants, especially if they already have an SC Beverage juice set-up.

4. Cucumber Honeydew Freeze

For a chill summer day drink, go all-in with the Cucumber Honeydew Freeze. This icy little number features the cooling flavors of cucumber and honeydew but provides a more in-depth flavor profile through its inclusion of fennel and a little honey.

5. Chasing Summer

If you love iced milk tea, then Chasing Summer is for you. By combining chai sun tea with sweetened condensed milk, some fruit puree, and a touch of balsamic vinegar, this makes for a delicious dessert drink. If you prefer to have a little kick to your tea, then a splash of vodka will do the trick.

6. Porch Crawler

The Porch Crawler is designed to refresh. Given the uncomplicated mix of cherries, mint, and rum, you’ll barely be able to tell there is a little chile in there. The sweetness of the drink mellows the spice, providing balance and depth to this instant summer favorite for long afternoons on the porch.

7. Redhead in Bed

Odd names aside, this gorgeous strawberry-vodka cocktail features a surprise ingredient, a healthy helping of Riesling to give the drink the fruity sweetness you would expect from such a bright blended concoction. The Redhead in Bed was created with your sweet-tooth in mind and is perfect for an intimate gathering with friends.

8. Manhattan Ice Cream Float

The Manhattan is a classic whiskey drink that forever deserves a place in the cocktail hall of fame. However, it does appear that the Ice Cream Float adaptation could possibly reach these very high standards. Given the original Manhattan’s deep cherry and whiskey-flavored notes, there is no way that vanilla ice cream does not make this better.

9. Dusk Flip

The dash of nutmeg may leave you thinking that the Dusk Flip should be left for the holidays. However, with its gratuitous use of berries, cream, and whiskey, this cocktail is the ideal summer dessert cocktail.

10. Classic Sidecar

Although different versions of the sidecar have cropped up over the 20th and 21st centuries, there is only one classic Sidecar Cocktail. These cocktails are made with cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. They are delicious but glue your tongue to that sugared rim for the best experience.