Summer Drinks
Summer drinks keep you cool and refreshed on a hot sunny day and there are different types of drinks that you can choose from. These drinks can be both alcoholic and non alcoholic. By preparing the drink with different varieties of fruits and vegetables you can not only experiment with different flavors and textures but also get a healthy dose of potassium, calcium and antioxidants. Whether you are throwing an elegant cocktail party or a cozy get together, summer drinks are an essential requirement.
Summer Alcoholic Drinks
Whether you are relaxing at home or entertaining friends, these collection of summer alcoholic drinks are sure to refresh you on a hot summer day.
Pomegranate Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 cups pomegranate juice
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 cup vodka
- cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 cup grenadine
In a medium-sized pitcher, combine the pomegranate juice, orange juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, grenadine and vodka and mix everything together. Serve in tall glasses with ice cubes and a twist of lemon.
Jamaican Margaritas
Ingredients
- 1 cup tequila
- cup orange flavored liquor
- 1 cup dried hibiscus blossoms
- cup sugar
- 8 lime slices
- cup freshly squeezed lime juice
Wash the hibiscus blossoms under running water to remove all traces of dirt. In a medium-sized sauce pan, heat water and add the sugar. Bring this to a boil and then add the dried hibiscus blossoms into it. Simmer this mixture for 10 minutes and strain the liquid. Discard the hibiscus blossoms and chill the liquid in the refrigerator.
Combine the hibiscus mixture with the orange flavored liquor, lime juice and tequila. Serve chilled and garnish with lime slices.
Peach Mojito
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rum
- cups sugar
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 cups chopped ripe peaches
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- cup mint leaves
- cup crushed ice
In a food processor, blend the peaches until they are smooth and have a puree like consistency. Press the puree through a very fine metallic sieve and discard any solid lumps. Chill the peach puree in the refrigerator.
In a large pitcher, combine the lime zest, sugar and lime juice and with the help of a spoon, mix them together until the sugar dissolves in the lime juice. Finely mince the mint leaves with the help of a sharp knife and add to the mixture. Add the chilled peach puree and rum along with the club soda. Serve in tall glasses over crushed ice and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Non Alcoholic Summer Drinks
Here is a collection of refreshing summer mocktails that do not contain alcohol and are suitable for both kids and teetotalers.
Orange and Grapes Cooler
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- cup orange juice
- 1 cup grape juice
- 1 liter chilled ginger ale
- cup sugar
In a medium-sized saucepan, bring to boil the sugar and water. Stir the mixture continuously until all the sugar has been dissolved. Remove the mixture from heat and keep it aside to cool. Add the orange juice and grapes juice to this mixture and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Stir in the ginger ale to this mixture just before serving. Serve this delicious orange and grapes cooler in tall glasses.
Iced Kiwi Cooler
Ingredients
- 2 kiwi fruits
- 2 cups crushed ice
- 2 tablespoons coconut cream
- cup sugar
Peel the kiwi fruit and roughly slice them. In a blender, blend the kiwis with the coconut cream, sugar and crushed ice. Serve in individual glasses garnished with a slice of kiwi. You might also like to know about non alcoholic fruit cocktails.
Strawberry Cooler
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh strawberry
- 4 cups water
- cup fresh lime juice
- cup sugar
In a large pitcher, combine water and sugar and stir the mixture until all the sugar has dissolved. Quarter the strawberries and puree them in a blender. Add the strawberry puree into the pitcher of sugar and water mixture along with the lime juice. Stir the mixture well and serve with ice cubes.
When you are pureeing fruits for making summer drinks, always start the blender at a low speed to get the desired texture. If you find that the drink is too thick, just add more crushed ice or lime juice. Garnishing a drink makes it look more appetizing and visually appealing and these drinks can be garnished with lime wedges, cherries or green olives. So, chill out this summer with these fresh and delicious summer beverages.
