Write up by Lisa Dill
Summer is officially here in just a few days and I can’t wait for all the fun and exciting things that the summer season brings. Here in Southern California we have our beach days, music festivals, trips to the desert and hotel pool parties but I think my favorite thing to do is plan or attend a good backyard BBQ! I usually execute my whole menu while some prefer to go the potluck route, whatever your method, the one thing that you must create is a great summer cocktail drink menu. It’s nice to have some beer on ice but lets be realistic, our friends aren’t going to be “Instagramming” or “Tweeting” pics of a can of Bud Light so step-up your drink game people! Here are some easy recipes to get you started… feel free to share yours as well!
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Xanadu Cocktail
basil leaves
1/2 grapefruit, juiced
1 1/2 oz. gin
1/4 oz. simple syrup
club soda
1 thin slice of grapefruit
In a rocks glass, muddle 1 basil leaf with simple syrup. Fill the glass with ice. Add fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and gin. Stir and top with club soda. Garnish with basil leaf and sliced grapefruit.
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MINTA® Pomegranate Mojito
mint leaves
1 lime, cut into wedges
2 oz. light white rum
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
MINTA Original
ice cubes
Muddle mint leaves and lime wedges, add Minta and continue to muddle. Add rum and pomegranate juice and stir. Fill your glass with ice and pour unstrained mojito mixture into the the glass. Top with more Minta and give it a stir. Garnish with lime and mint leaves.
(Minta Original is made with cane sugar and it will perfectly compliment your drink. No need for simple syrup and club soda. It’s also great alone as a non-alcoholic offering.)
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Cucumber Margarita
1 Tbs. sugar
1oz fresh lime juice
1/4 cup thinly sliced English cucumber
1 1/2 oz. silver tequila
1 oz. Cointreau
Pour sugar and lime juice to glass tumbler. Add cucumber and muddle. Add the tequila and Cointreau. Fill glass with ice and stir.
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Strawberry-Ginger Caipirosca
5 strawberries
10 mint leaves
2 lime wedges
1/2 tsp. freshly grated ginger
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup of ice
1/4 cup vodka
Muddle berries, mint, lime and ginger. Sprinkle sugar over top, continue to muddle until almost pureed. Add ice and vodka. Pour into cocktail glass.
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Lisa Dill, drink expert and lover of all things Asian.
Got a favorite drink mix? Leave a comment below.