Summer Cocktails! ~ by Kim Hornsby

With summer’s warmer weather quickly approaching, I’m trying to get my backyard in shape for living on the patio from sunup to sundown. I like to write on my laptop at the backyard table staring at the garden. As a matter of fact, I’m staring at my fishpond right now watching hummingbirds feed at our little red feeders all over the property.

What I really want after mowing the yard, cleaning the fishpond and re-screening one of the patio doors, is an exotic cocktail. You know those drinks that have fun names, are pink and come with a slice of something citrus on the side? I love trying new drinks like this one my writer friends at a retreat ordered for me called Dream Come True.

Here’s a few cocktails you might enjoy this summer, whether you’re inside getting quietly smashed in front of the TV or outside with friends enjoying the fresh air in your backyard!

The Whiskey Smash

Fresh Lemon Juice

Whiskey

Mint

Simple Syrup or Agave Syrup

The picture is a bit misleading since I used a blend of Whiskey and Rye, an all Rye version is fantastic as well. Either muddle the Mint at the bottom of the glass or give it a good clap between your hands to release the oils. Fill the glass with ice and fill it 2/3 with Lemon Juice (about 3-4 lemons) and 1/3 Whiskey. It is pretty tart as is, so a shot of Simple Syrup helps to balance out the cocktail.

FIRST BLOOM          

      

2 oz. Material Vodka

75 oz. Lemon Juice

75 oz. Lavender Mint Syrup

5 oz. St. Germain

Combine vodka, lemon juice, lavender mint syrup and St. Germain in shaker with ice.

Shake for 20 seconds.

Strain into a coupe glass.

Garnish with a cherry blossom sprig if you have one.

                               

The Paloma

2 ounces silver tequila

2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice

½ ounce fresh lime juice

¼ ounce St. Germain

¼ ounce simple syrup

Lime or grapefruit wheel, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila with the grapefruit juice, lime juice, St. Germain and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into an ice-filled bucket glass. Serve immediately, garnished with a lime or grapefruit wheel.

                                   Mojito Slushie 

1/2 c. fresh lime juice (about 4 to 6 limes)

1/4 c. agave

1/3 c. fresh mint leaves

Zest of 2 limes

1/2 c. light rum

ice

Mint sprigs, for garnish

Lime wedges, for garnish

Add the lime juice, agave, mint leaves, lime zest, and rum to a blender. Blend until smooth. Fill the blender to top with ice and blend until slushy.

Pour into glasses, garnishing each with a sprig of mint and a lime slice.

Enjoy, Everyone! 

Do you have a favorite summer drink with or without alcohol?

To stay up to date with KIM click here for her personal page