Top 5 Most Requested Summer Drinks: A Recipe Collection

Limoncello Mint Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup lemonade concentrate
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Ice cubes
• 1/4 cup Limoncello (lemon liqueur)
• 1/2 cup club soda
• Lemon slices and mint for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small pitcher, muddle the mint leaves with the lemonade concentrate and lemon juice. Muddling means to bruise the leaves to release their flavor. Use the end of a wooden spoon for this.
2. Stir in the ice cubes, Limoncello, and club soda.
3. Pour the mixture into four glasses.
4. Garnish with a lemon slice, a sprig of fresh mint, and an umbrella.

Yield: Makes 4 drinks (10 oz each).

Pomegranate Blueberry Martini

Ingredients:

• 1/2 part vodka
• 1 part pomegranate mix (Rose's brand recommended)
• 1 part pomegranate blueberry juice (Tropicana brand recommended)
• Orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Shake the ingredients with ice for 1 minute in a martini shaker.
2. Pour into martini glasses.
3. Garnish with an orange slice.

Note: This martini is made with 1/2 juice, making it less strong than most martinis.

Pineapple Bleu

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Hypnotic Liqueur
• 1 oz Grey Goose Vodka
• Splash of pineapple juice
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Shake the Hypnotic, vodka, and ice together until chilled.
2. Pour into a martini glass.
3. Top with pineapple juice and garnish with a lemon twist and an umbrella.

Sangria Punch

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 orange
• 1 1/2 cups rum (spiced rum works well too)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine
• 1 cup orange juice

Instructions:

1. Chill the fruit, rum, orange juice, and wine. Optionally, make ice cubes out of the orange juice to keep drinks cold without diluting them.
2. Slice the lemon, lime, and orange into thin rounds and place them in a large glass pitcher.
3. Pour in the rum and sugar. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours to develop the flavors.
4. When ready to serve, crush the fruit lightly with a wooden spoon and stir in the wine and orange juice (or orange juice cubes if you made them).
5. Adjust sweetness to taste.

Fruited Brandy Punch

Ingredients:

• 1/2 part brandy (Christian Brothers brand recommended)
• 1 part lemon-lime soda
• 2 parts fruit juice (Cranberry-Peach blend recommended)
• 1/2 bag frozen fruit (blueberries and strawberries recommended)
• 1 fruited ice ring (see recipe below)
• Slices of lemons, limes, and oranges (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix the fruit juice and frozen fruit together in a punch bowl or container.
2. Pour in the lemon-lime soda and gently stir.
3. Float an ice ring on top (see recipe below).

Fruited Ice Ring Recipe:

1. Pour 1-2 cups of the juice mixture into a Bundt pan or another mold.
2. Add some of the fruit and/or fresh citrus slices.
3. Freeze overnight.
4. Just before serving, set the pan in hot water to loosen the ice ring, then turn it into the punch bowl.

Note: This recipe can be altered to serve from a drink fountain by leaving out the fruit and the ice ring.

Conclusion

Now you have five classic summer cocktails to wow your guests with. They will be pleasantly surprised when you offer them one of these special summer drinks instead of the usual beer and wine. Cheers to a fantastic summer!

Interesting Stats:

• According to a survey by the National Restaurant Association, 56% of consumers say they are more likely to order a cocktail if it features unique or seasonal ingredients. Source
• The global market for alcoholic beverages is expected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2020 to 2025. Source

By incorporating these unique and refreshing cocktails into your summer gatherings, you're not only offering a delightful experience but also staying ahead of the trend. Enjoy!