The weather is heating up, but most of us are still at home. While your backyard might be less glamorous than the beach, sipping on one of these no-fuss cocktails can take your sunbathing to the next level.
Lime Mojito
3 slices lime
1 sprig fresh mint
1 tbsp agave nectar or honey
1½ oz white rum
Soda to top
Muddle lime slices and mint in a glass. Add agave, rum, and ice before topping with soda and stirring. If desired, garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of mint.
Rum Sunset
6 oz orange juice
1½ oz light rum
1 tbsp grenadine
Combine orange juice and rum. Pour 2/3 of orange juice mixture into an ice-filled glass and set aside. Mix the remaining ⅓ of orange juice mixture with grenadine and slowly pour into the glass. If desired, garnish with an orange wedge and maraschino cherries.
Paloma
1½ oz tequila or mezcal
1 oz grapefruit juice
½ oz lime juice
1 tbsp agave nectar
A pinch of salt
Soda to top
Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker and shake well. Strain into a glass over ice and top with soda. If desired, garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Classic Margarita
Lime wedge and kosher salt, for rimming glass
2 oz tequila blanco
¾ oz fresh lime juice
¾ oz simple syrup
Rub rim of a glass with lime and dip in salt. Combine tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup in an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds and then strain into glass. If desired, garnish with a lime wheel.
Piña Colada Mimosa
Pineapple wedge and sugar, for rimming glass
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz coconut rum
6 oz prosecco
Rub rim of a glass with pineapple wedge and dip in sugar. Pour pineapple juice and coconut rum into each flute, then pour in prosecco. If desired, garnish with a pineapple slice and an orange wedge.
Strawberry Orange Rosé Spritzer
2 strawberries, sliced plus 1 for garnish
3 slices orange, plus 1 wheel for garnish
4 oz rosé
Sparkling water to top
Muddle strawberry slices and orange slices in a glass. Add ice and fill the glass ¾ of the way with rosé. Top with sparkling water. If desired, garnish with a strawberry.
Michelada
Lime wedge, salt, and chili powder, for rimming glass
2 oz fresh lime juice
2 tsp hot sauce
Dash of soy sauce
12 oz light Mexican beer
Combine salt and chili powder. Rub rim of large serving glass with lime wedge and dip in chili salt. Combine lime juice, hot sauce, and soy sauce at bottom of glass and stir to combine. Fill glass with ice before pouring in beer and lightly stirring. If desired, garnish with a lime wedge.
Boozy Dole Whip
1½ c frozen pineapple
6 oz coconut milk
4 oz coconut rum
2 oz sweetened condensed milk
Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. If desired, garnish with a paper umbrella for that extra summer flair.
Strawberry Frosé
6 oz rosé, chilled
1 c. chopped strawberries
1 tbsp vodka
1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 c. ice
Combine ingredients in a blender until slushy. If the mixture is too watery, add more ice and blend again. If desired, garnish with a strawberry.
Shandy
Beer
Tart-sweet mixer of your choice (i.e. lemonade, kombucha, Sprite)
Fill a tall glass of ice two-thirds of the way with beer, then top with mixer.
Image from PlushDesignStudio / Pixabay
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