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With longer days and warmer nights comes the perfect setting for impromptu dinner parties and casual cookouts. Whether you’re hosting a formal event or just want something refreshing to kick back and relax with, nothing says summer like low-fuss but incredibly delicious thirst-quenching drinks. Be prepared for any occasion with this guide to 6 truly tasty and easy to prepare summer sippers.
Kir Royal
2 ingredients, lots of bubbles, and a great taste to boot. What more could you ask for from a summer cocktail? The Kir Royal is an aperitif that is comprised of Champagne and crème de cassis. That’s it. Despite its simplicity, it makes for a delightfully refreshing drink that tastes a lot more complex than it is. Perfect for serving to guests upon arrival, preferably in a Champagne flute.
June Bug
As pretty to look at as it is to drink the June Bug is a non-alcoholic treat that will tickle tastebuds of all ages. To prepare, combine 3 cups of ginger ale, 4 tablespoons of orange juice, 3 scoops of orange sherbet, and 4 tablespoons of grenadine. Should you be feeling particularly adventurous, feel free to substitute orange juice for grapefruit, orange sherbet for raspberry… it’s summer, anything goes!
Strawberry Basil Margarita
Serve up a pitcher of this colourful concoction at your next cookout and get ready to be inundated with compliments. To prepare, combine 1 can of frozen lemonade concentrate, 15 fresh strawberries, 10 basil leaves, and 2 cups of tequila. Once you’ve mixed the ingredients together, refrigerate overnight to allow for maximum flavour. Serve chilled.
Cucumber-Rosemary Gin and Tonic
A delicious twist on an old favourite, this updated G&T makes for an ultra refreshing cocktail that pairs beautifully with dockside sunsets and good friends. In a highball glass, place 3 cucumber slices, add the juice from a lime wedge and muddle. Place 1 sprig of rosemary and fill with ice. Add 2 ounces of gin, 5 ounces of Tonic Water, and finish off with a quick splash of soda water. Cheers!
Mock Moscow Mule
Sometimes the simplest things are truly the most delicious and this couldn’t be any more true as far as the Mock Moscow Mule is concerned. All you need to create this delightful libation is 3 parts white ginger beer and 1 part fresh lime juice. Opt for fresh, premium ingredients and serve in a pretty little cup to maximize the experience.
Flavoured Seltzer
This one probably couldn’t be much easier. All you need is seltzer, flavoured simple syrup, and a tall glass. For the sake of convenience, feel free to pick up your syrup from the store or, if you’re feeling crafty, try your hand at making your own. They’re incredibly easy to prepare and you can get creative with flavours. The formula is typical 2:1 sugar and water and you can punch it up by adding flavourful herbs, fruits, or even spices like cardamom or cinnamon.
