Simple summer cocktails

Five refreshing summer cocktails are perfect for enjoying poolside or the restaurant’s outdoor patio. Many of your guests will request outdoor seating this season, so why not create a new cocktail menu?

These simple summer cocktails combine a range of fresh herbs with fruits with boozy favourites such as gin, vodka and tequila to create the perfect blend of summer flavours. These five summer drinks are crowd-pleasers and will increase your alcohol sales. Continue reading to find out the recipes and directions.

Caipirinha

Introduce your guests to the Brazilian national drink, the caipirinha. The caipirinha, pronounced kaipurr-reens-yah, is a South American version of a mojito. Caipirinha is made with fresh, muddled lime juice and Cachaca, a Brazilian spirit. This refreshing mix drink is easy to make and tart.

Caipirinha Ingredients

Yield: 1 cocktail

• 1/2 quartered lime
• 1 tsp. 1 tsp.
• 1 1/2 oz. Cachaca

Directions

1. Mix the lime quarters in a rocks glass.
2. Mix in sugar, ice, and Cachaca.
3. Serve!

Apple Mojito

Mojitos, a popular summer drink, are easy to find on any summer cocktail menu. Try something new with this Cuban-inspired mixed drink. This version uses vodka and apple juice to replace rum and lime in traditional mojito recipes.

Apple Mojito Ingredients

Yield: 1 cocktail

• 1/3 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup apple juice
• 1 oz. Simple syrup
• 10 mint leaves
• Garnish with apple slices

Directions

1. Mix the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker.
2. Mix simple syrup, vodka and apple juice.
3. Mix the ingredients and strain into a glass.
4. Garnish with a mint leaf and an apple slice

Gin Basil Smash

This summer cocktail features bright green basil leaves muddled with freshly squeezed lemon juice and gin. Fresh herbs are a refreshing and unique flavour option for summery cocktails.

Gin Basil Smash Ingredients

Yield: 1 cocktail

• 4 oz. Gin
• 2 oz. Fresh lemon juice
• 2 oz. Simple syrup
• 10 basil leaves

Directions

1. To make a cocktail shaker, add basil leaves, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
2. Mix the ingredients gently.
3. Add gin to the shaker.
4. Place the cocktail in a rocks glass with ice.
5. Garnish with basil leaves and lemon twist.

Mexican Mai Tai

This summer cocktail resembles a Mai Tai and includes an almond-flavoured syrup called Orgeat (pronounced or heat). The Mexican twist was added by substituting rum for tequila and adding a salty rim. This summer mix drink is perfect because it combines a margarita cocktail’s tartness and sweetness with a tiki’s tropical sweetness.

Mexican Mai Tai Ingredients

Yield: 1 cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz. Tequila
• 1/2 oz. 1/2 oz. orange curacao
• 1/2 oz. 1/2 oz.
• 3/4 oz. Lime juice
• Salt rinsing

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients in a shaker. Shake well.
2. Salt a margarita glass.
3. Mix the ingredients and add them to a glass.
4. Garnish the dish with a slice of lime.

Peach Mango Summer Sangria

Enjoy summer evenings with your guests by inviting them to your restaurant’s patio and pouring a pitcher of our peach-mango sangria. The sangria recipe can be made in a matter of minutes and sold by the pitcher to increase sales. For a refreshing summer cocktail, combine Grand Marnier with ripe summer fruits such as mangos and peaches.

Peach Mango Summer Sangria Ingredients

Yield: 1 pitcher

• 1 cup Grand Marnier
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 bottle of white wine or blush wine
• 1 mango, diced
• 2 peaches, sliced
• 1 cup seltzer water (optional)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher.
2. Mix well and serve over ice in stemless wine glasses.