The days are getting long, lazy and hot. The perfect way to cool them down or spice them up is with a summer soirée. The last thing that should happen at your party, however, is you stuck behind a bar. You’re the host, not an on-call mixologist. Enter big batch cocktails. We asked some of our favorite bartenders to share the recipes that top their summer extravaganzas. From a Passion Pom Margarita to a Blueberry Maple Lemonade to a Sparkling Sangria, there’s a festive cocktail for every summer weekend BBQ, beachside bonfire, clambake or whatever else you’re throwing this summer.
Passion Pom Margarita
Passion fruit is having a moment. The small, oval, purplish red fruit is the number one flavor of margaritas according to Cassandra Rosen, who creates recipes for Soltado Tequila. And as we all know, margaritas are the ultimate summertime party drink. Rosen combines pomegranates with passion fruit for a cocktail that is chalk full of antioxidants, great for the “red” in your Red, White and Blue Independence Day plans and of course ready to party.
Serves 8-10 cocktails
What you’ll need
8 oz. Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila
16 oz. Passion fruit juice (like Ceres)
1/3 cup Fresh Lime Juice
2 tbs. Pomegranate Grenadine Syrup
2- 12 oz. Bottles Dry Ginger Beer
Garnish: Orange Slices and Fresh Mint
How it’s done
Mix the first four ingredients in a pitcher, chill overnight. To serve, fill a punch bowl with the passion fruit mixture and stir in ginger beer. Garnish. Serve over ice in mason jars or tall glasses, filled with ice.
The Leonardo Punch
Brandy cocktail doesn’t exactly conjure up images of the beach; but brandies actually make a great cocktail base for punches. This Leonardo Punch uses apple juice to balance out the brandy’s heaviness, while the citrus and cardamom give the drink depth and the ginger ale a pop. Make a big batch for that summer bonfire when you’ll be up all night talking around the fire.
Serves 6 cocktails
What you’ll need
2oz of lemon sugar
8 1/2 oz of clear apple juice
8 1/2 oz of ginger ale
4 oz of Amaro Lucano
4 oz of Brandy
4 bar spoons of bitter cardamom
citrus slices
How it’s done
Place 60 ml of lemon sugar, 250 ml of clear apple juice and 250 ml of ginger ale in a punch bowl. Add 125 ml of Amaro Lucano and 125 ml of Brandy, four bar spoons of bitter cardamom and last add the citrus slices.
Sparkling Sangria
Celebrating always calls for something sparkling. And while mimosas may own brunch, they’re not the only bubbly you can toast summer with this year. Simple, yet chic, this sparkling sangria from Arizona’s Salty Sow is basically summer in a glass. Light and refreshing, the effervescent, bright and fragrant elderflower and hints of citrus taste of long, lazy days. Consider it an easy departure from your old brunch standbys.
Serves 4 cocktails
What you’ll need
8 oz. of Elderflower Liqueur
4 Lemon Slices
4 Orange Slices
4 Grapefruit Slices
1 bottle Sparkling Wine
4 Purple Basil Leaf
Garnish Red and Green grapes
How it’s done
In a shaker glass, add liqueur along with fruits, basil and ice, and shake it. Pour it into a glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with red and green grapes.
Blueberry Maple Lemonade
Make summer even sweeter with a fresh maple syrup drink. Omni Hotels & Resorts is celebrating the sweet nectar from the mighty maple tree with maple syrup cocktails, and this Blueberry Maple Lemonades proves maple syrup is not just for breakfast. Made from Tito’s vodka, blueberry puree, fresh lemon and amber maple syrup, you can enjoy nature’s bounty with a bit of booze. The maple adds depth while the lemon cuts through the sugar.
Serves 4 cocktails
What you’ll need
6 oz. Tito’s Handmade Vodka
4 oz. Lemon Juice
4 oz. Maple Syrup
1 oz Blueberry RE’AL Puree
Garnish: Skewered Blueberries + Lemon Moon
How it’s done
Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake moderately and strain into an iced plastic cup. Garnish.
Summer Garden
Give your summer soirée a bit of Gatsby era glam with a gin cocktail. No extra work required. Simply throw all the ingredients in a shaker, shake and strain, and full up that pitcher for cocktails even the choosiest flapper would approve. The refreshing finish of the Rutte Celery Gin marries perfectly with lemon grass and ginger tea, creating a cocktail that can stand up to the hottest of days so you can dance the night away.
Serves 6 cocktails
What you’ll need
2 pints Rutte Celery Dry Gin
2 pints lemongrass ginger tea
2 slices of cucumber
2 mint leaves
1 pint honey water; 2:1 honey to water.
Extra cucumber slices and mint leaves for garnish
How it’s done
Shake all ingredients and double strain into a Coupette or Martini glass, or build in a pitcher to share with friends. Garnish with a cucumber slice and mint leaves.