The summer solstice officially kicks off the season in late June. The scorching days are often worth the trade-off for the pleasures that come only with summertime. I can’t get enough of all the fresh fruits and vegetables that have popped up everywhere, the slower pace, and trips to sunny places. Give me some icy sweet tea with lemon, a book, and a shady spot to sit and I’m a happy gal. I’m sure you can name a few fun things to add to the list.
When the sun starts to go down, warm evenings beg for cool cocktails. If they lean a little tropical, I won’t be mad about it. A light and refreshing vibe? Loving it. Beat the heat with one of my tasty summer sippers to end a hot day. The cocktails are balanced with just the right combination of spirits, sweetness, acidity, and bitterness. Equally satisfying mocktails are a fun alcohol free alternative. All are summer in a glass and perfect for welcoming guests to patio parties, brightening lazy vacation days, or sipping at home when the mood strikes.
Kick back and raise a glass to the break from hectic schedules and revel in this time of taking life a little less seriously. Cheers!
Sundown Banana Daiquiri
Makes one cocktail
This daiquiri isn’t what you might think. Tiki bar frozen concoctions wish they could go to the dark side like this elevated version. Dark rum replaces white rum to give a deeper, richer buttery taste that perfectly complements its banana flavor. “Floating” or adding a last minute splash of banana liqueur on top amps up the tropical vibe of this cool summertime drink.
Ingredients:
2 ounces good dark rum (I like Diplomatico)
1 ounce banana liqueur, plus ¼ ounce to float
1 ounce Demerera simple syrup (recipe below)
1 ounce lemon juice
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake 25-30 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass.
Demerera Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup demerara sugar
Gently stir water and sugar together in a small saucepan. Bring just to a boil, not touching it until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat to cool.
Tea Thyme Spritz
Makes one cocktail
Lounge on the back porch with this spirited version of sweet tea. Gin and thyme give it herbal notes while a tea-infused simple syrup adds sweet tea flavor.
Ingredients:
1 ½ ounces gin (preferred, but may substitute vodka)
½ ounce lemon chartreuse
½ ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 ½ ounce Sweet Tea Simple Syrup (recipe below)
4 thyme sprigs, trimmed to 2” tops
1 ounce Prosecco
1 ounce seltzer
3 drops of aromatic bitters (I like Angostura brand)
lemon slice, thyme sprig
thyme sprig
Instructions:
Place first 5 ingredients in a shaker filled halfway with ice. Cover and shake for about 30 seconds. Strain into a glass.
Top with Prosecco and seltzer. Drop bitters on top without stirring. Float a lemon slice speared with thyme sprig on top.
Tea Thyme Spritz Mocktail
Makes one mocktail
Alcohol isn’t required to achieve a beverage that’s just as tasty and refreshing as any cocktail.
Ingredients:
1 ½ ounces alcohol free gin alternative
1 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 ½ ounce sweet tea simple syrup (recipe below)
4 thyme sprigs, trimmed to 2” tops
1 ounces seltzer
1 ounce alcohol free champagne
1 lemon slice
thyme sprig
Place first 4 ingredients in a shaker filled halfway with ice. Cover and shake for about 30 seconds. Strain into a glass.
Top with seltzer and alcohol free champagne. Float a lemon slice speared with a thyme sprig on top.
Sweet Tea Simple Syrup
Makes about ½ cup
Ingredients:
1 cup water
2 tea bags
1 cup sugar
Bring water to a boil and remove from heat. Steep tea bags for 6 minutes. Remove tea bags and whisk in sugar. Allow to cool completely. Refrigerate.
Tropical Mocktini
You won’t even miss the alcohol in this island themed mocktail.
Ingredients:
Honey and sweetened shredded coconut for garnishing glass
¼ cup mashed banana
¼ cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons well-shaken cream of coconut (find in the grocery international aisle)
1 tablespoon banana syrup (find at package stores)
1 tablespoon lime juice
¼ cup ice cubes
Banana sliced that has been dipped in lime juice to prevent browning
Lime slice
Instructions:
Place the honey and shredded coconut on separate plates. Dip the rim of a martini glass in honey, then into sweetened coconut. Set aside.
Puree mashed banana and next 4 ingredients in a blender until no chunks remain.
Transfer to a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice; shake for 25-30 seconds.
Pour into prepared glass. Spear slices of lime and banana on a cocktail pick and place in glass. Serve.