10 Memorial Day Cocktails Perfect For That Summer BBQ
I always look forward to Memorial Day for what it represents: the beginning of summer. I’m a tremendous fan of all things outdoors, so the day signifies a return to summer picnics, backyard barbecues and afternoon beach trips. It also means it’s time for summer cocktails.
Summer cocktails are the best cocktails in my opinion. They often include fresh fruit, lighter flavors, and creativity that you just don’t see in many of their winter counterparts. Rather than slow sipping a glass of single-malt by the fire, you can have elaborate vodka lemonades in the sun, or rum-based tiki drinks at the beach.
As you’re gearing up for your own Memorial Day weekend, here are a few summer cocktails to try:
Blueberry Salute
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz IZZE Sparkling Juice Blueberry
¾ oz coconut milk
½ oz blueberry schnapps
1 oz rye whiskey
Fresh blueberries
Directions: Add all ingredients to shaker except IZZE® Sparkling Juice – Blueberry, lemon wheel, and fresh blueberries. Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass. Top with IZZE® Sparkling Juice – Blueberry. Garnish with blueberries.
Stoli “Strawberry Crushed”
Ingredients:
2 to 3 strawberries
2 to 3 basil leaves, plus more for garnish
1 oz/ Stoli Strawberry Vodka
Fresh lemonade
Directions: Crush strawberries in a glass. Add basil leaves and gently bruise. Add vodka and lemonade, stir, add ice, and garnish with basil.
Watermelon Rum Smash
Courtesy of Mia Mastroianni, Bat Rescue, DoHo House
Ingredients:
2 ½ ounces TROPICANA® Watermelon Drink
4 fresh basil leaves
¼ ounce lime juice
1 ½ ounces rum
Directions: In a cocktail shaker, lightly muddle the basil. Add lime juice, rum, and Tropicana Watermelon Drink. Add ice and shake well. Pour into a highball or Collins glass. Garnish with a watermelon slice and a sprig of fresh basil.
Hinterland Punch
Created by Josh Mazza, Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
12 oz Jägermeister
5 oz Grenadine
10 oz Ruby Red Grapefruit
20 oz Roobis tea
1 Bottle (26oz) Sparkling Rosé
8oz raspberries
8oz strawberries
Directions: Add edible flowers to tea and freeze in a bread pan. Combine other ingredients in a punch bowl. Add frozen tea/flowers. Cut berries and add into punch.
