June marks the start of summer; the days are longer, the sun shines brighter, and the need to cool off becomes vital. While a swim in the pool or in the beach gives immediate relief from the heat, renewing your body from within is as needed. Aside from drinking water, what better way to do it than with a classic summer cocktail?
Cocktails are enjoyable drinks that taste good, smell nice, and look attractive. They are made with a mix of ingredients like fresh fruits, herbs, and alcohol, which come together to create a refreshing and satisfying drink. These drinks are easy to make and perfect for cooling down.
Whether you prefer a tangy Margarita or a refreshing Mojito, these classic cocktails are always a hit during the summer. In this article, we’ll look at the top three summer cocktails you should try out.
Top Refreshing Cocktails
Mojito
What you’ll need: White rum, mint, lime juice, sugar, soda water.
How to: Start by muddling fresh mint leaves and sugar in a glass to release their flavors. You can muddle the mint leaves with a muddler or the back of a spoon. Add lime juice and white rum, then fill the glass with ice. Lastly, top it off with soda water and garnish with a sprig of mint for a refreshing finish.
Margarita
What you’ll need: Tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec), optional salt rim.
How to: Sometimes, limes have very little water content. So you can roll your lime on a flat surface like a table or the wall, to allow the lime to soften and release more juice when you cut and squeeze it. This rolling action helps break down the membranes inside the lime, making it easier to extract juice efficiently.
Next, rub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and then dipping it in salt (this is optional though) for that classic tangy taste. Mix tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
Daiquiri
What you’ll need: White rum, lime juice, simple syrup.
How to: Mix white rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until it is well-chilled, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Piña Colada
What you’ll need: White rum, coconut cream or coconut milk, pineapple juice, ice (optional), pineapple wedge or cherry for garnish.
How to: Mix white rum, coconut cream or coconut milk, and pineapple juice in a blender. Proceed to adding ice and blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge or cherry, if desired.
Mai Tai
What you’ll need: Dark rum, light rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, orgeat syrup (almond syrup), mint sprig and lime wheel for garnish.
How to: Fill a shaker with ice. Add dark rum, light rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, and orgeat syrup. Shake the mixture well until it is chilled. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
Paloma
What you’ll need: Tequila (preferably silver or blanco), grapefruit soda (such as Jarritos or Squirt), fresh lime juice, salt (for rimming, which is optional), and grapefruit wedge for garnish.
How to: This step is optional, rim a highball glass with salt by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim and dipping it in salt. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Pour in tequila and fresh lime juice. Then top off with grapefruit soda and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge, if desired.
Tips and Tricks for Making Classic Summer Cocktails
Here’s what you should know about making cocktails: Using fresh fruits, herbs, and high-quality alcohol improves the taste and aroma of your cocktails. Don’t be afraid to alter the amounts of the ingredients to suit your personal tastes. You can play around with the sweetness of a Mojito or the strength of a Margarita to find your perfect mix.
Conclusion
As summer arrives and the days grow hotter, staying cool becomes more and more vital. While getting into a pool is great, there’s something unique about cooling off with a wonderful summer cocktail. You can experiment with different ingredients and quantities to create the ideal drink for you.
