With the heat soaring up, it is only understandable to find ways of keeping cool. Sipping a cold cocktail on a warm summer’s day is the perfect way to chill out. If you are at the beach or the pool side or sun bathing on your patio, a tall glass of your favorite cocktail topped with ice and garnished with fruit is definitely sure to woo you. Of course the usual like margaritas and daiquiris will quench your thirst, but we have put together a list of spectacular and unique summer drinks which will beat the heat and maybe even give you a slight high that you need.
1. English Bulldog
This drink is a spin on the classic Gin and Tonic, a favorite among many. Some additional ingredients like marmalade and orange bitters add an extra zing to the cocktail, making it complex and a notch above the British traditional G&T.
2. Dark & Stormy
The classic combination of ginger beer and rum makes it a good cocktail for the summer months. If you want a more authentic taste, find extra strong rum like the Gosling’s or Myers and muddle some lime with it for a citrus kick. However, there is nothing like the authentic Caribbean ginger beer that would bring out the authenticity of the drink.
3. Pimm’s Cup
A favorite among the British lads and ladies alike, it is the Pimm’s Cup made with Pimms liqueur, some sparkling lemonade and fruits of choice. This concoction enjoyed by the pool side, of course subject to the British weather, is probably one of the most enjoyable drinks. The mix is herbal, refreshing, and citrussy, not to mention the low alcohol content which makes it popular even among the old.
4. Ginga Assassin
Ginga is certainly not a drink you would associate with tropical drinks, but it is a mix of pineapple juice, gin, curacao, fresh ginger, and Angistura bitters make it a rather creative cocktail blend, perfect for the heat. If you find the muddled fresh ginger a bit over powering, you can always replace it with some ginger juice instead.
5. Caipiroska
We all know the traditional Caipirinha, the Brazilian drink that blew our minds away. The Caipiroska is similar to the Caipirinha, only the Cachaca has been replaced with the ubiquitous vodka, available all the time, anywhere. Mix it with some lime and sugar, pop some ice cubes into the glass and you have a fabulous drink in hand.
6. Whiskey Sour
A sour can be basically made from any type of base liquor, but the Whiskey Sour stands a notch above the others. You can choose from the Canadian, Irish, Scottish or American variants, add a dash of absinthe or herbal bitters and voila, here’s a drink with some character and complexity.
7. Triple R
This unique blend of rum and raspberries served on the rocks gains itself the name Triple R. Make this cocktail when there is an abundance of raspberries. The citrus tang of lime mixed with the muddled raspberries, topped with rum makes a perfect summer drink
8. The Fitzgerald
This simple concoction put together by one of America’s cocktail gurus is sure to get a thumbs up. It is made with gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice, but it is the Angostura bitter that brings out the complexity of the flavor. Refreshing is one word to sum it up.
9. White Lady
It won’t get simpler than this, but the taste is something to die for. Get hold of some fine gin like Tanqueray or Beefeater, add a splash of Cointreau and lemon juice, shake well in a cocktail shaker, strain, and drink to your heart’s content.
10. Bloody Ritz
The French cannot live without the wines, which is why the Ritz Cocktail is made with sparkling wine and served in a tall flute. A generous twist on the Ritz Cocktail is the Bloody Ritz made with a mix of French Cognac, fresh blood orange juice, bitters, and then topped with some Champagne or Sparkling wine.
A cocktail is best enjoyed cold and when the ice hasn’t melted and diluted the drink. The correct measurements make each cocktail unique, so make sure you have a spirit measuring cup which will make things easier. Similarly, garnishing and the glass used uplifts the whole feel and look of the cocktail. So if you have to impress some guests, get fancy flowers, add fruits or peels and maybe even pretty straws for effect. At the end of the day enjoy your drink responsibly and remember not to go overboard.
