Beat The Heat!
Summertime and sippin’ just go together like sand and the beach. When the weather heats up, a cool beverage is the perfect way to stay chill. Today we have 5 super easy summer mocktails and cocktails to keep you cool in the sun. Just as important as what you put in your glass, is the glass itself. So, we also have some stellar glassware serving options. Grab some ice and let’s get mixing! By the way…all of these recipes would be perfect for any 4th of July festivities this weekend!
1) Strawberry Lemon Basil Water
This is a super refreshing drink! Slice 1/2 pint of strawberries, add ¼ cup of chopped basil, and quarter 1 lemon. Add to a pitcher and fill with water. Allow chilling for at least 3 hours before you serve. This is one of those drinks you can keep in the fridge for a couple of days. Use a clear pitcher and clear glasses for serving!
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”4489804″]
2) Blackberry Champagne Mule
This recipe is courtesy of Tieghan Gerard from @HalfBakedHarvest. She has the most amazing recipes in all categories, but her drinks are next level! This specialty drink caught my eye and I had to try it. It’s REALLY good. Smash or muddle some blackberries with a squeeze of lime, add a good splash of vodka, a bit of ginger beer, and then a final topper of champagne. Her mint garnish is a great final touch. You could serve this in traditional copper or graphite Moscow mule mugs, stemless champagne flutes, or acrylic goblets.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”4489866″]
3) Watermelon & Blueberry Tequila Spritzer
Freeze blueberries on a sheet tray. These add flavor and color and keep your drink cool! Puree 2 cups of watermelon pieces in a blender and then drain through a fine-mesh strainer. Pour over ice, add tequila, lime juice, your frozen blueberries, and a splash of lemon-lime soda. Top it off with mint or basil. I love these bee glasses! You could serve this beverage in a chic, sleek glass or a mason jar. If you want to turn this into a mocktail, just leave out the tequila and add some extra lemon-lime soda.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”4489871″]
4) 4th of July Layered Mocktail
This recipe is one your kids will love, courtesy of ThisMamaLoves. The key to this mocktail is to add the ingredients very slowly (this is super important!), directly over the ice, layering with the highest sugar concentrated beverage and finishing with the least. This allows the layers of liquid to sit on top of each other without combining right away. Fill your glass with ice (to the top!), slowly add a layer of cranberry apple juice, then pina colada flavored Sobe, and finish with a blue sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade. You could serve this 4th of July beverage in clear acrylic mason jars or highball glasses.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”4489872″]
5) Charlie’s White Sangria
Charlie (my dad!) makes a mean sangria. Fill 1/3 of a pitcher with finely chopped fruit. Truly any fruits work. But for a light, white sangria try apples, peaches, mangos and raspberries. Next, add 1 bottle of white wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riseling, whatever you like) and a liter of lemon-lime soda. You can leave out the soda, or use less, for a more hardy sangria. Or, (Charlie’s secret) add a topper of blood orange liquor if you really want to indulge. This one serves a crowd! You could sip this out of acrylic stemless wine glasses or these swanky wine glasses. I also really love these Blue Rocco Old Fashioned glasses.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”4489873″]
So, what’s your favorite, go-to, summer sipper? Put your feet up, take a load off, and cheers!
For more entertaining tips, check out this post on an easy summer tablescape for your next get-together, or this one on how to build a tasty charcuterie board.
To get blog posts and Erin’s newsletter delivered directly to your inbox, you can sign up here. Enjoy!
