I always wanted to be the cool, mysterious woman at the bar sipping a dry martini alone with two olives. Because it’s always this woman that gets pulled into the greatest adventures in Drama films (and I can’t be the only one that imagines fighting a group of ninjas to the Matrix soundtrack).
But alas, I’m usually just the girl drinking Pinot Noir with wine-stained teeth, talking too loud and sharing too much. And while I’m pretty committed to being a #pinotphile, there are a few occasions where I’ll step outside my box, heat waves being one of them.
Like right now. Every morning I go outside to water my poor, wilting plants and it feels like being cloaked in a hot, wet towel. And not in a good way.
So this week, I’m keeping the oven off, eating grapes out of the freezer and watching top-knot tutorials by Julia Engel. And when I’m not busy doing those things, you can find me mixing up one of these tasty summer cocktails with a refreshing twist.
Each cocktail is a bit different from the last, but all are infused with cooling ingredients like dill, cucumbers, lemon or at the very least, ice. They are a fun spin on some of my favorite cocktails and I find them simple enough to make with even a modest bar setup.
As always, enjoy and thanks for stopping by!
xxMackenzie
Basil French 75
A spin on the classic French 75, this cocktail combines basil, lemon juice and gin for a bright and summery twist. Add as much or as little simple syrup as you like, or better yet, make a basil simple syrup in place of muddling the leaves.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- 4-5 basil leaves
- Brut Champagne or Prosecco, to float
- Ice
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker and add the basil leaves. Muddle to release the oils of the basil, add ice and shake. Pour into a martini glass or flute and top with a float of Champagne or Prosecco. Garnish with a lemon peel and basil leaf and enjoy!
Rosé Spritzer
Wine on a hot day can be a tricky mix, which is why I love this recipe for a Rosé Spritzer! With a bit of ice and a splash of sparkling water, you can still sip Rosé all-day while feeling refreshed and hydrated.
INGREDIENTS
- Rosé (fruit forward is best)
- Sparkling Water
- Cherries, for garnish
- Lime
- Optional: 1/2 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur or simple syrup to sweeten
INSTRUCTIONS
Fill a glass with ice, then pour 2/3 full with Rosé. Top with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime. Garnish with cherries or blackberries and enjoy!
Cucumber, Dill Gin Fizz
Cool cucumber and dill pair so well with lime and gin in this fizzy cocktail. Just be careful as I find these go down a bit (too) easy!
INGREDIENTS
- 3-4 slices cucumber
- 2 ounces gin
- Dill
- 1 ounce lime juice
- club soda
- ice
INSTRUCTIONS
Place the cucumber, dill, gin and lime juice in a glass. Muddle until the cucumber breaks up. Then, fill the glass with ice and top with club soda or sparkling water. Garnish with an additional slice of cucumber and a sprig of dill.
