Memorial Day Weekend marks the official kick-off of Summer…and it’s this weekend! Which means tons of New Yorkers flock to the Hamptons or LBI, light their grills and pour drinks non-stop. The beginning of summer is something to be celebrated, and with the non-existent Spring we’ve had, we expect people to party hard. So whether you’re gathering with friends on your rooftop, heading to the beach, or just relaxing in your apartment, make sure to toast to summer the proper way, with one of these amazing cocktails. Cheers!
Summertime Sipper (Courtesy of Skinnygirl)
1 ½ parts Skinnygirl Meyer Lemon Vodka
Splash of DeKuyper Triple Sec
Splash of diet lemon-lime soda
Cherry or lemon slice for garnish
Mix vodka and triple sec in a glass with ice. Top with a splash of diet lemon-lime soda. Garnish with cherries and a lemon.
Patriotic Passion (Courtesy of Pinnacle Vodka)
1 part Pinnacle Berry Vodka
1 part DeKuyper Razzmatazz Raspberry Liqueur
2 parts Lemonade
Mix in a glass with ice and garnish with fresh berries.
Berimbau (Courtesy of Favela Cubana)
4 lemon wedges
1 oz. simple syrup
1 spring rosemary
1 1/2 oz. Velho Barreiro Cachaca
1/2 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon wedges with the simple syrup and rosemary. Add the cachaca and the elderflower liqueur. Top with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Use a rosemary spring for garnish.
Drambuie Sangria (Courtesy of Drambuie)
6 oz. DRAMBUIE Scotch Liqueur
1 Bottle Red Wine (Zinfandel Preferred)
8 oz. Ginger Ale
4 oz. Orange Juice
½ Lemon, Thinly Sliced
½ Lime, Thinly Sliced
½ Apple, Cored and Thinly Sliced
Combine ingredients in a 2-Quart pitcher. Stir and refrigerate from 30 minutes to overnight. Pour into tall glasses filled with ice. (Serves 4)
Spiked Strawberry Lemonade (Courtesy of Cornelia Guest)
2 cups water
1/2 cup agave (more to taste)
1 cup fresh lemon juice (from 6 lemons) plus 1 lemon, sliced for serving
1 pound cleaned strawberries
16 ounces seltzer, chilled
1 cup of citrus flavored vodka
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water and agave to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until combined, about 1 minute. Transfer to pitcher, refrigerate for 45 minutes. Add lemon juice and vodka and stir. In a blender, puree strawberries until smooth and pour through mesh sieve into pitcher with lemon syrup, pressing on solids. Stir well to combine. To serve, stir in seltzer and divide among ice-filled glasses. Top with lemon slices.
The Garden (Courtesy of Junior Merino)
1 1/2 ounces G’Vine Floraison Gin
1 ounce White Grape Juice
1/2 ounce Agave Nectar
4 Lime Wedges
2 Basil Leaves
1 Strawberry
In a cocktail shaker, muddle together strawberry, basil leaves, lime wedges and agave nectar. Fill with ice. Add in G’Vine Gin and white grape juice. Shake. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with 1/2 a strawberry and a basil sprig.
Pomegranate Mint Spritz “Salud” (Courtesy of Altaneve)
2 oz. sweet vermouth
2 oz. Campari
2 oz. Altaneve Prosecco
Sprinkle in pomegranate seeds. Garnish with mint leaves and seasonal citrus fruit like orange, lemon or lime slice (our mixologist friends say the lime shortage is over!). Ice chips optional. Do the same in a punch bowl just increasing oz’s.
43 Mini Beer (Courtesy of Licor 43)
1 1/2 oz. Licor 43, chilled
splash of heavy cream
Pour Licor 43 into a mini-mug about 2/3’s of the way. Layer heavy cream on top.
The Top Cat (Courtesy of The Tippling Bros.)
2 ounces Averna Amaro
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 strawberries, hulled and quartered
4 ounces orange soda, chilled
Lemon slice to garnish
Place the strawberries in a cocktail shaker and muddle well. Add the Averna Amaro and lemon juice to the shaker and then fill with ice. Vigorously shake the mixture for 35 seconds and then strain into a cocktail glass filled with fresh crushed ice. Top the drink with the orange soda and then garnish with a lemon slice; serve immediately.
Salsa at Sunset (Courtesy of Sauza Tequila)
1 part Sauza Blue Reposado 100% Agave Tequila
1 part orange juice
1 dash grenadine
Lemon wedge (for garnish)
In a glass filled with ice stir together orange juice and tequila. Pour the dash of grenadine down the side so that it settles to the bottom of the glass. Garnish with a lemon.
Red White & Blue Martini (Courtesy of Pinnacle Vodka)
2 parts Pinnacle Blueberry Vodka
¼ part DeKuyper Blue Curaçao Liqueur
½ part Grenadine
Splash lemon-lime soda
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with blueberries.
Looking for more patriotic cocktails to satisfy your cravings? Check out last year’s Memorial Day Cocktails!
Twisted Talk: How are you celebrating Memorial Day this year? Will you be whipping up cocktails or going out? Discuss below!
