Summer Cocktails Round Up Recipe
As I embark on this whimsical cocktail journey, I’m ready to shake, blend, and stir my way through an enchanting array of flavors, each sip promising a mini-escape from the ordinary.
I enjoy the refreshing twist of my favorite cocktail recipes, bright with the summer sun. Ingredients like elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and sparkling Prosecco make these vibrant drinks pack a punch.
Fresh mint leaves and a dash of orange bitters in these cocktails take them to the next level, creating perfect sips in your hand on a warm evening.
Summer Cocktails Round Up Recipe Ingredients
- Gin: Provides a botanical, herbal flavor, perfect for refreshing cocktails.
- Elderflower Liqueur: Adds floral sweetness, complementing citrus and herbal notes.
- Lime Juice: Offers a zesty, tangy kick, balancing sweetness in drinks.
- Pineapple Juice: Sweet and tropical, providing a juicy nectar and vitamin C.
- Coconut Cream: Creamy, rich texture; enhances tropical cocktails.
- Aperol: Bitter orange notes, bringing a vibrant orange hue.
- Prosecco: Light, bubbly sweetness; perfect for spritzes.
- Tequila: Earthy, agave flavor; ideal for bright, lively drinks.
- Maple Syrup: Rich sweetness, adds depth and caramel undertones.
- Cucumber Juice: Refreshing, hydrating; brings a cool, crisp flavor.
- Bourbon: Warm vanilla and oak undertones, smooth spirit depth.
- Ginger Beer: Spicy, zesty kick; energizes and enlivens cocktails.
Summer Cocktails Round Up Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 2 oz. gin
- 1 oz. elderflower liqueur
- 1 oz. lime juice
- Top with tonic water
- 1 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. coconut cream
- 2 oz. pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- 2 oz. tequila
- 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. agave nectar
- 1 1/2 oz. Aperol
- 3 oz. Prosecco
- 1 oz. club soda
- Fresh mint leaves
- 1 oz. peach puree
- 3 oz. champagne
- 1 oz. vodka
- 3 oz. cranberry juice
- Dash of orange bitters
- 1 1/2 oz. bourbon
- 3/4 oz. lemon juice
- 3/4 oz. maple syrup
- 2 oz. cucumber juice
- 1 oz. vodka
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- 1 oz. ginger beer
How to Make this Summer Cocktails Round Up Recipe
1. Elderflower Gin Cooler
Mix together 2 oz. of gin, 1 oz. of elderflower liqueur, and 1 oz. of freshly squeezed lime juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with tonic water and garnish with a slice of lime.
2. Pina Colada Mix
Combine 1 oz. white rum, 1 oz. coconut cream, and 2 oz. pineapple juice with ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a freshly chilled glass and garnish your piña colada with a slice of pineapple or a maraschino cherry.
3. Tequila Margarita
Combine 2 oz. tequila, 3/4 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1/2 oz. agave nectar in a shaker with ice. Shake, and strain into a glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
4. Aperol Spritz
Fill a glass with ice and add 1 1/2 oz. Aperol. Pour in 3 oz. Prosecco and 1 oz. club soda. Stir gently and garnish with a slice of orange and fresh mint leaves.
5. Peach Bellini
To make a peach champagne, in a flute, combine 1 oz. peach puree with 3 oz. champagne. Stir gently and garnish with a slice of peach.
6. Cranberry Vodka Cocktail
Combine 1 ounce of vodka, 3 ounces of cranberry juice, and a dash of orange bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and then strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
7. Bourbon Maple Sour
Take
1.5 ounces of bourbon, 0.75 ounces of lemon juice, and 0.75 ounces of maple syrup. Shake those ingredients with ice until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon peel.
8. Cucumber Vodka Cooler
Mix fresh mint leaves in a shaking tumbler. Add 2 oz. cucumber juice, 1 oz. vodka, and 1/2 oz. lime juice. Shake with ice and strain into a glass. Top off with 1 oz. ginger beer and garnish with cucumber slices.
9. Simple Syrup Preparation
Make simple syrup by mixing equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves. Cool before using.
10. Serving Tips
Fresh ingredients always yield the best results, and for a delightful summer experience, it’s recommended to chill your glasses in advance!
Summer Cocktails Round Up Recipe Equipment Needed
1. **Cocktail Shaker** – For mixing and shaking drinks.
2. **Blender** – For blending the piña colada until smooth.
3. **Saucepan** – For preparing simple syrup.
4. **Measuring Jigger** – To measure ounces of liquid ingredients.
5. **Strainer** – To strain cocktails into glasses, removing ice.
6. **Citrus Juicer** – For freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice.
7. **Mixing Spoon** – For gently stirring drinks like the Aperol Spritz and Peach Bellini.
8. **Knife** – To slice garnishes such as lime, orange, and cucumber.
9. **Cutting Board** – For safe slicing of garnishes.
10. **Glasses** – Various types for serving cocktails: highball, rocks, flute, etc.
11. **Ice Cube Tray** – To have ice ready for shaking and serving.
12. **Chilling Container** – To chill the glasses before serving.
FAQ
- Q: Can I substitute a different spirit for gin in the first cocktail?A: Yes. You can use vodka in place of gin, but the flavor profile of your cocktail will be slightly different.
- Q: How can I make the coconut cream cocktail less sweet?A: Decrease the quantity of coconut cream or simple syrup. Think about introducing a little soda water to create balance.
- Q: What’s the best garnish for the tequila cocktail?A: Lime slices that are fresh or a rim that is salted can enhance both the flavor and the look of a tequila cocktail.
- Q: Can the Aperol spritz be made with a different sparkling wine?A: Yes, any dry sparkling wine can be used as a substitute for Prosecco.
- Q: How do I make the peach puree for the champagne cocktail?A: Puree fresh or canned peaches until smooth, then strain to remove any solids.
- Q: Is there an alternative to cranberry juice for the vodka cocktail?Juice from a pomegranate makes an excellent substitute; it, too, is tart and richly colored.
- Q: What can be used instead of agave nectar in the tequila cocktail?Simple syrup or honey may be used to replace sugar, though they might slightly alter the flavor.
Summer Cocktails Round Up Recipe Substitutions and Variations
1 oz. elderflower liqueur – Replace with 1 oz. St-Germain or 1 oz. floral or citrus liqueur.
1 oz. lime juice – Substitute with 1 oz. lemon juice or 1 oz. calamansi juice for a different citrus twist.
1 oz. coconut cream – Substitute with 1 oz. coconut milk or 1 oz. heavy cream for a richer texture.
1/2 oz. agave syrup – For a sweeter option, use 1/2 oz. honey syrup or 1/2 oz. simple syrup. You could also use straight honey, but it doesn’t mix as well.
1 oz. peach puree – Substitute with 1 oz. apricot puree or 1 oz. mango puree for a tropical variation.
Pro Tips
1. Chilling Glasses Before serving any cocktail, especially those with chilled or blended ingredients, place your glasses in the freezer for a few minutes. This will keep the drinks colder for longer and enhance their flavors.
2. Ice Matters Use large ice cubes or spheres for cocktails like the Aperol Spritz and the Bourbon Maple Sour. Larger ice melts slower, keeping the drink from becoming too diluted.
3. Garnishes as Aromatics When using garnishes like mint leaves or citrus slices, gently clap them between your palms before adding them to the drink. This releases essential oils and enhances the drink’s aroma.
4. Quality Prosecco For the Aperol Spritz and Peach Bellini, choose a quality Prosecco. Its dryness and effervescence will balance the sweetness of the other ingredients perfectly.
5. Coconut Cream Texture For the piña colada, ensure your coconut cream is smooth by giving it a good stir before measuring. This will help achieve a consistent texture when blended.
Summer Cocktails Round Up Recipe
My favorite Summer Cocktails Round Up Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. **Cocktail Shaker** – For mixing and shaking drinks.
2. **Blender** – For blending the piña colada until smooth.
3. **Saucepan** – For preparing simple syrup.
4. **Measuring Jigger** – To measure ounces of liquid ingredients.
5. **Strainer** – To strain cocktails into glasses, removing ice.
6. **Citrus Juicer** – For freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice.
7. **Mixing Spoon** – For gently stirring drinks like the Aperol Spritz and Peach Bellini.
8. **Knife** – To slice garnishes such as lime, orange, and cucumber.
9. **Cutting Board** – For safe slicing of garnishes.
10. **Glasses** – Various types for serving cocktails: highball, rocks, flute, etc.
11. **Ice Cube Tray** – To have ice ready for shaking and serving.
12. **Chilling Container** – To chill the glasses before serving.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. gin
- 1 oz. elderflower liqueur
- 1 oz. lime juice
- Top with tonic water
- 1 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. coconut cream
- 2 oz. pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- 2 oz. tequila
- 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. agave nectar
- 1 1/2 oz. Aperol
- 3 oz. Prosecco
- 1 oz. club soda
- Fresh mint leaves
- 1 oz. peach puree
- 3 oz. champagne
- 1 oz. vodka
- 3 oz. cranberry juice
- Dash of orange bitters
- 1 1/2 oz. bourbon
- 3/4 oz. lemon juice
- 3/4 oz. maple syrup
- 2 oz. cucumber juice
- 1 oz. vodka
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- 1 oz. ginger beer
Instructions:
1. Elderflower Gin Cooler
Mix together 2 oz. of gin, 1 oz. of elderflower liqueur, and 1 oz. of freshly squeezed lime juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with tonic water and garnish with a slice of lime.
2. Pina Colada Mix
Combine 1 oz. white rum, 1 oz. coconut cream, and 2 oz. pineapple juice with ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a freshly chilled glass and garnish your piña colada with a slice of pineapple or a maraschino cherry.
3. Tequila Margarita
Combine 2 oz. tequila, 3/4 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1/2 oz. agave nectar in a shaker with ice. Shake, and strain into a glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
4. Aperol Spritz
Fill a glass with ice and add 1 1/2 oz. Aperol. Pour in 3 oz. Prosecco and 1 oz. club soda. Stir gently and garnish with a slice of orange and fresh mint leaves.
5. Peach Bellini
To make a peach champagne, in a flute, combine 1 oz. peach puree with 3 oz. champagne. Stir gently and garnish with a slice of peach.
6. Cranberry Vodka Cocktail
Combine 1 ounce of vodka, 3 ounces of cranberry juice, and a dash of orange bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and then strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
7. Bourbon Maple Sour
Take
1.5 ounces of bourbon, 0.75 ounces of lemon juice, and 0.75 ounces of maple syrup. Shake those ingredients with ice until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon peel.
8. Cucumber Vodka Cooler
Mix fresh mint leaves in a shaking tumbler. Add 2 oz. cucumber juice, 1 oz. vodka, and 1/2 oz. lime juice. Shake with ice and strain into a glass. Top off with 1 oz. ginger beer and garnish with cucumber slices.
9. Simple Syrup Preparation
Make simple syrup by mixing equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves. Cool before using.
10. Serving Tips
Fresh ingredients always yield the best results, and for a delightful summer experience, it’s recommended to chill your glasses in advance!