It’s a beautiful, clear 80 degrees. Your yard is neatly manicured. Your friends are all gathered, and you have something special on the grill.
Only one thing is missing: the perfect drink selection.
Summer sips should be light, fruity and refreshing, but that doesn’t mean you need to stick to the basics. Here are three of our favorite summer cocktails, sure to make the perfect menu for your warm-weather soirée:
April Showers Cocktail
Makes: 2 servings
INGREDIENTS
- 3 oz. gin
- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 1½ Tbs. agave nectar
- 6 oz. ruby red grapefruit juice
- edible flowers for garnish, optional
DIRECTIONS
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice, agave nectar and grapefruit juice, shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Pour into a coupe or martini glass. Garnish with edible flowers (optional).
Pro tip: Says Ridgewood bartender Ben McDonald: “To give this drink a refreshing twist and a more distinct flavor, try using white grapefruit juice instead of ruby red and then add a splash of your favorite ginger liqueur.”
Blue Lagoon Cocktail
Makes: 1 serving
INGREDIENTS
- 1 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. blue curaçao
- 6 oz. lemonade
- lemon slice or mint leaf for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Pour the liquors over fresh ice cubes directly in glass or in cocktail shaker. Top off glass with lemonade or add 5 to 6 ounces of lemonade to shaker, shake and strain over ice. Serve with straw and garnish of lemon or mint.
Pro tip: According to Garfield-based bartender Aidan Leary, “For a more citrusy flavor, add a dash or two of Maraschino liqueur. It will elevate the drink quite nicely.”
Pink Pleasantries
Makes: 1 serving
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz. fresh ruby red grapefruit juice
- 1½ oz. of vodka
- ½ small lemon, juiced
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- dash of sea salt
- sprig of rosemary
- grapefruit segments, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Add the grapefruit juice, vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, rosemary sprig and dash of sea salt to a cocktail shaker and shake until thoroughly chilled. Pour into a glass and garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a grapefruit segment.
Pro tip: Bryan Douredjian, a mixologist at Neat & Shaken in River Edge, suggests: “Add a splash of St-Germain elderflower liqueur to bring a soft floral note that plays nicely with the grapefruit. You also can swap the simple syrup for a rosemary honey syrup—an easy upgrade that makes the drink feel a bit more polished while still being simple to make.”
Hosting a great summer get-together? Show it off on Instagram @njhomemag.