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With the summer heat upon us, thoughts turn to the more enticing and exotic alcoholic or mocktail beverages that inspire a taste of the Caribbean. Summer cocktails are great thirst quenchers and can also be a source of nutrition. We can let our imaginations go wild with an assortment of fresh ingredients like mint, cucumber, and fruits. You don’t have to be old-fashioned to enjoy delightfully colorful and fun summer beverages.
While some may prefer a cool white or rose, or the many craft beers available, others might turn slings, frappes, and highballs. Plus, you have island-inspired concoctions like Mai Tai’s, Piña Coladas, and Mojitos. These refreshing summer cocktails are sure to please whatever your preference and many can be prepared without the alcohol.
What’s Trending in the Cocktail World?
While wineries and craft distilleries and breweries seem to be popping up everywhere these days, beverages low or without alcohol remain a big trend as people pull out of the haze of Covid. Mocktails are readily available at most establishments, and numerous online recipes offer easily converted into non-alcoholic beverages.
Tools to the Rescue
Blending tools are necessary for those deliciously fancy and iced beverages like margaritas and daiquiris. While a full-size blender is best for making fruity cocktails, some mixes only require a handheld shaker. Most recipes include a list of all the tools you need for the cocktail you plan to create.
Another handy tool is a ‘muddler.’ Muddling is the term for mashing fruit and herbs you plan to add to your drink. It resembles a pestle, made traditionally of wood. These manual tools extract the natural juices and oils from the fruit and herbs that add a big burst of flavor.
Other standard tools include a good knife, a shaker, and a citrus zester.
Unbeatable Mixes
Classic drink mixes include soda, tonic water, and soft drinks like ginger ale and colas. Fruit juices are best made fresh, cucumber and mint are a big hit, and lemon or lime always adds a nice zing.
Triple Sec (an orange-flavored liqueur), simple syrup, sour mix, Sloe Gin, bitters, and grenadine are also ingredients used in making many summer beverages.
Another excellent mix hailing from Mexico and Latin America is Aguas Frescas. A less sweet, delicious substitute for traditional mixes that makes a light and refreshing cocktail.
Classic Best Cocktails
Here are a few must-try standard summer cocktails for beginners, and most can be easily converted to mocktails:
- Margarita – a classic and enduring cocktail, this drink is correctly created with Tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice and sugar, served in a glass with a salted rim. Avoid mixes if possible. Make the mocktail with orange, lemon, and lime juices.
- Piña Colada – No trip down south is complete without the creamy smoothness of a true Pina Colada, best made with fresh ingredients and can easily be non-alcoholic.
- Mojito – these are a delicious summer drink made with mint and lime and can be traditional or with a twist like honeydew melon, which eliminates added sugar. Healthy and energizing!
- Gin Rickey – a traditional and refreshing highball drink with a pleasing herbal and citrus flavor without the sweetness of tonic.
- Daiquiris – beautiful and simple to make. Just shake and strain for a delicious cocktail or mocktail. Add bananas or strawberries, or experiment with more exotic fresh fruits for a taste explosion.
- Whisky Sour – for those not into fruit drinks, this cocktail is bourbon or whisky-based and made properly, regarded as a perfect summer drink by aficionados.
Summertime is an excellent excuse for getting creative. Pull out the shakers, dust off the blender, and get ready to channel your inner artist to make delicious and island-worthy cocktails! Better yet, why not host a cocktail party and invite your clients? For help organizing your function, talk with the support staff at Fusion Workplaces Palm Desert to make your party memorable and fun.
