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Summers can dry your energy and enthusiasm. There are suitable ways to enjoy the summer, but the heatwave and pandemic are spoilers. Fortunately, refreshing drinks can help revive your missed-out joys and happy moments.
You can beat the warm weather with summer cocktails like the timeless Margarita, delightful Manhattan, or flavorsome Martini. They need little preparation time and are pleasant in taste. Here are a few cocktail classics to enjoy in 2021.
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Manhattan
Drinking a whiskey bourbon is a unique experience. Manhattan is a rye-based bourbon drink with smoother and mellower qualities. It was invented in Manhattan Club in New York City in the 1880s.
American whiskey and vermouth combination with a dash of Angostura bitters make Manhattan timeless and tasty. Consider EH Taylor Barrel Proof crafted from hand-selected barrels to brighten your Manhattan cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1-ounce vermouth (sweet)
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Cherry for garnish
Preparation:
- Pour bourbon, vermouth, and bitters in a mixing glass.
- Add ice cubes and stir.
- Strain the cocktail.
- Cherry-garnish it and serve.
2. Pina Colada
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This Caribbean sweet cocktail is Puerto Rico’s national drink. It is a creamy and coconut rum-based drink. Each year, Puerto Ricans celebrate the 10th of July as National Pina Colada Day.
The concoction reminds one of a vacation in paradise with delicious tropical and fruity flavors. Serve it as a frozen cocktail or on ice with a cherry on top.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 2 oz coconut cream
- 1 oz white rum
- 1/2 oz dark rum
- 1 cup crushed ice
- Pineapple slice and cherries (for garnish)
Preparation:
- Combine pineapple juice, the rums, coconut cream, and crushed ice in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Transfer the cocktail to a big, curvy glass and garnish it with pineapple slices and cherries.
3. Classic Margarita
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This Mexican drink has risen to popularity from the time of its introduction in 1942. It is pure tequila blended with juice and liqueur. A margarita glass looks chic and tastes good with the salted rim and lime embellishments.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz tequila
- 2 oz orange liqueur
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz simple syrup (a concoction of equal parts of water and sugar dissolved over a flame and then cooled)
- Ice cubes, lime slice, and salt
Preparation:
- Rub lime along the margarita glass rim. Then dip it in salt.
- Shake ice, tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup until mixed.
- Now carefully pour the concoction into a cocktail glass.
- Garnish the margarita with lime slices and serve.
4. Screwdriver
This is a citrus cocktail with vodka and orange juice as two key ingredients. It is an essential part of any cocktail drinker’s toolkit and served in a highball glass.
Ingredients:
- 11/2-ounce vodka
- Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- Thyme and club soda (optional)
Preparation:
- In a highball glass, add some ice cubes.
- Fill the glass with vodka.
- Top the cocktail with orange juice.
- Update the classic screwdriver with fresh thyme and club soda.
5. Moscow Mule
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This classic vodka cocktail invented in the 1940s has a bubbly and zingy flavor. The copper mug exudes coolness in every sip.
A Moscow Mule has several variations such as Kentucky Mule, Mexican Mule, Watermelon Mule, Apple Cider Mule, Irish Mule. That’s why it is the life of any cocktail party.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces vodka (for the classic mule)
- 1/2-ounce fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- Lime wedge or fresh mint (for garnish)
Preparation:
- Add vodka, lime juice, ginger beer in a copper mug.
- Put ice blocks, garnish them and serve.
Please note:
While preparing a fruity mule, use 1/4 cup ginger beer and 1/4 cup fruit juice of your choice (pineapple or watermelon).
6. Old Fashioned
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Old Fashioned has captured hearts over 200 years ago. And it is still going strong. It is a bourbon or rye whiskey peppered with Angostura bitters. If you want to make a modern-day Old-Fashioned cocktail, opt for simple syrup. If you are keen on making a 19th century Old Fashioned, choose granulated sugar.
You can also use rum, brandy, or any other spirits to make a perfect Old Fashioned. With three key ingredients, the Old-Fashioned cocktail is fun and good times.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1-2 teaspoons simple syrup
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice cubes
- 2-inch orange peel (optional)
- Cherries (optional)
Preparation:
- In a rock glass, add bourbon or rye, simple syrup, and bitters.
- Stir well.
- Add large ice cubes.
- Garnish with orange peel or cherry.
7. Mojito
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Mojito is a refreshing drink for hot summer days. It is an enjoyable concoction of rum, fresh mint, lime juice, sugar, and sparkling water. A white rum in a mojito gives a cleaner and fresher taste. Gather the ingredients, puree them in a blender, steep for a few minutes, strain, and serve.
Ingredients:
- 11/2 fluid ounces white rum
- 1/2-ounce simple syrup
- I ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup club soda
- Ice
- Lime wedges (for garnish)
- Mint leaves (for garnish)
Preparation:
- Muddle mint leaves in a sturdy glass to release the mint oils.
- Add lime wedges, sugar to release the lime juice.
- Pour the unstrained mixture into the cocktail glass and top it with ice.
- Pour the rum and fill the glass with carbonated water.
- Stir and garnish with a lime wedge.
Conclusion
Keep things simple while making these cocktail recipes. When ordering at a bar, tell the bartender about your preferences.
