Kickoff to Summer Cocktails

May 22| posted in - cocktails, entertaining inspiration, summer

Slushy Watermelon Mojitos

Well just in time for your Memorial Day Parties and BBQ’s I have the perfect cocktails to compliment the occasion. The Slushy Watermelon Mojitos above are absolutely fabulous. This is crowd pleaser.

Memorial Day Cocktails

The perfect group of cocktails mixed with good food and friends are the right ingredients for your party. The Berry Lemonade (#1) is so very refreshing. It’s made with raspberry liqueur and is easy to mix.

The Lime Collins drink #2 is an excellent version of a classic and so perfect on a hot summer day.

The gin, campari and the Sweet red vermouth that make up the Negroni (#3) are the perfect combination. The Negroni’s bittersweet edge is thirst-quenching and tasty.

The Peachy Punch #4 rounds out the list and is mouth-watering, and delish, this is my favorite. Use fresh peaches and there is nothing sweeter.

So relax, sip on these great cocktails and enjoy the party.

Slushy Watermelon Mojitos

Makes 8 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup)

Ingredients

5 cups cubed seeded watermelon

1 cup sparkling water, chilled

3/4 cup white rum

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

1 (6-ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate, undiluted

Mint sprigs (optional)

Lime slices (optional)

Preparation

Arrange watermelon in a single layer on a baking sheet; freeze 2 hours or until completely frozen.

Combine frozen watermelon, sparkling water, rum, mint, and limeade in a blender; process until smooth. Garnish with mint sprigs and lime slices, if desired. Serve immediately.

Recipe Source: my recipes

Lime Collins

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

1½ oz gin

2 oz limeade

½ lime, juiced

2 sprigs fresh mint

2 oz soda water

Preparation

Over ice in a Collins glass, mix the gin, limeade and lime juice, stir in the mint sprigs.

Top with soda and garnish with a lime twist.

Recipe Source: LBCO

Berry Lemonade

Makes 1 drink

To a wine goblet filled with ice, add 1 oz raspberry vodka, 1⁄2 oz raspberry liqueur, 3 oz Lemon Sour mix and 2 oz soda water.

Stir to mix and sprinkle with fresh berries.

Lemon Sour Mix

To a pitcher, add 2 cups lemon juice and 21⁄2 cups simple syrup (recipe below).

Stir to mix, cover and chill, or freeze for later use.

Simple Syrup

3 cups (750 ml) each granulated sugar and water

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan.

Set over medium-high heat and cook, stirring until sugar is dissolved, for 6 to 10 minutes or until mixture comes just to a boil and clarifies.

Cool to room temperature; transfer to a sterilized jar.

Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

Recipe Source: LBCO

Negroni

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

1 oz gin

¾ oz Campari

¾ oz Sweet red vermouth

1 tbsp orange juice

Ice cubes

Garnish

Orange Wheel

Preparation

Stir together gin, Campari, sweet red vermouth and orange juice in a tumbler with two or three ice cubes.

Garnish with an orange wheel.

Recipe Source: LBCO

Peachy Punch

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

1 oz vanilla rum

1 oz cranberry juice

½ cup fresh peaches

1 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tsp grenadine

Garnish

Peach slice

Preparation

To a blender, add 1 cup ice, 1 oz vanilla rum, 1 oz cranberry juice, ½ cup fresh peaches, peeled and diced, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1 tsp grenadine.

Blend and pour into a wine goblet and garnish with a peach slice.

Recipe Source: LBCO