The heat is here and summer is in full swing!  There's nothing more than refreshing than an ice cold beverage on a hot summer day. Sit back, relax and try one of these delicious summer cocktails.

*Note: Alcohol selection will vary by state. All persons should be 21+ years old to participate in this content.

White Sangria

1  bottle dry, crisp white wine *
1/4  cup brandy*
1/4  cup  sugar
Sparkling water (try different flavors from LaCroix!)
1/2  medium green apple (cored, skin on, chopped into small pieces)
1  medium ripe peach or nectarine (thinly sliced)
1  cup sliced strawberries
1  medium lime (thinly sliced into rounds)
1  medium lemon (thinly sliced into rounds)

Add lime, lemon, and sugar to a large pitcher and muddle or gently crush with a wooden spoon. Add brandy and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add fruit and wine, stir to combine. Taste and adjust flavor as needed. For best results, allow to sit in fridge for at least 3 hours for fruit to release flavors. When ready to serve, pour into glasses and top off with sparkling water. Ice optional. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours, though best when enjoyed within the first 1-2 days.

*Modified from https://minimalistbaker.com/easy-traditional-white-sangria/

Citrus Champagne Punch

Grapefruit juice
Orange juice
1 Tbsp simple syrup
1 bottle sparkling wine or Prosecco*
Grenadine

Pour a splash each of grapefruit juice and orange juice into a champagne glass. Add simple syrup and stir to combine. Top with sparkling wine nearly to the top of the glass. Tilt glass at an angle and drop a small amount of grenadine down the side of the glass to allow for the grenadine to sink to the bottom and create a layered look. (Otherwise, if you want it mixed together, add before the sparkling wine – stirring sparkling wine will reduce the bubbles.)

*Modified from https://pizzazzerie.com/recipes/citrus-champagne-punch/

Chili Mango Margarita

1 ½ oz Jose Cuervo*
1/2 oz Cointreau*
1 lime
4-5 oz mango Juice
1 jalapeño
Tajin (or your favorite chili salt blend for the rim)

Rim a cocktail glass with lime juice and dip in Tajin seasoning, add ice and set aside. In a cocktail shaker, add a few slices of jalapeño (remove seeds for less spice) and muddle slightly. Add in tequila, Cointreau, a squeeze of lime juice, mango juice, and ice – shake vigorously for about 30s. Strain and pour into cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and slice of jalapeño.

*Modified from https://www.freutcake.com/in-the-kitchen/drinks-anyone/spicy-mango-jalapeno-margarita/

Strawberry Basil Smash Cocktail

1 ½ oz Tito’s vodka*
Fresh strawberries, chopped small, save a few big pieces for garnish
1 lime
1 can of Bubly grapefruit
Fresh basil leaves
Simple syrup (optional – to taste)

Smash strawberries with a fork for a muddled version or put into a blender for a puree. Rim cocktail glasses with sugar (optional). Spoon 1 Tbsp of smashed strawberries into the bottom of glass. Add Vodka to a cocktail shaker with another Tbsp of smashed strawberries, lime juice, simple syrup (if using), and ice. Shake mixer to combine. Pour contents of the cocktail shaker into glass. Top up the glass with cold Bubly grapefruit and garnish with two basil leaves and a sliced strawberry.

*Modified from https://food52.com/recipes/81480-strawberry-basil-smash-cocktail

Traditional Mai Tai

2 oz Bacardi White Rum*
1 oz Captain Morgan Spiced Rum*
1 oz Triple Sec or Cointreau*
1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1 lime
Grenadine
Maraschino cherries
1 orange, sliced into wheels

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the pineapple juice, orange juice, light rum, dark rum, triple sec, lime juice, and grenadine and shake for 20 seconds. Strain drinks into 2 ice-filled glasses and garnish with maraschino cherries and an orange wheel.

*Modified from https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/ginas-mai-tai-recipe-1924000

Mermaid Lemonade

1 ½ oz Bacardi White Rum*
½ oz Blue Curaçao*
Lemonade
1 lemon, sliced into wheels
Maraschino cherries

Fill a cocktail glass half with ice. Add rum and blue curacao to glass. Top with lemonade, then add a few maraschino cherries and a lemon wheel on the edge of the glass. Top with a drink umbrella (because why not!)

*Modified from https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a53044/mermaid-lemonade-recipe/

Blackberry Mojito

1 ½ oz Bacardi White Rum*
Fresh blackberries
Fresh mint leaves
1 lime
1 tsp. sugar
LaCroix Sparkling Water (try different flavors!)

In a cocktail glass, muddle a handful of blackberries, sugar, and a few sprigs of mint together. Add rum and a squeeze of lime and stir. Fill glass with ice and top with sparkling water. Add a few whole blackberries and 1 or 2 sprigs of mint for garnish.
*Modified from https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a3830/mojito-drink-recipes/

Cheers, everyone!

Article was originally posted on Bartell Drugs and modified for use