There’s one word on everyone’s mind this summer: PARTY! I don’t know about you, but considering the ridiculous polar vortex, snow storms, and other bipolar behavior from our good friend Mother Nature, it’s time to take advantage of this awesome weather and celebrate. Forget about the internship or that online course you’re taking. Sometimes, everyone needs to kick back, enjoy a drink, and get some sun (using sunscreen of course!). If you’re trying to party this summer without turning into a tub of lard, check out these simple, sophisticated, and scrumptious summer drink recipes.
Low-Cal Vodka Ginger ‘Beer’
This is a cool, refreshing, and low-cal play on a vodka soda that’s perfect for summer. You’ll feel super fancy when you show your friends how you can muddle cocktail ingredients. You might not be too familiar with simple syrup—and that’s okay! Basically, it’s a 1:1 mixture of sugar and water that is the sweet base for a lot of drinks. You can find it at most liquor/grocery stories, or make your own using this recipe. If you want to make this for a large crowd of people, or really want to take advantage of that gingery flavor, infuse the ginger into the simple syrup by heating the two on a low burner for 5-6 minutes.
- 1-2 oz vodka
- 3 oz club soda
- 1 oz simple syrup
- A few slices of fresh ginger
- A few slices of lemon and their juice
Muddle (i.e. gently mash in your cocktail glass) the ginger, simple syrup, and lemon gently, adding a tablespoon of water if the mixture is dry. Add your vodka, and give the drink a swirl to combine all the flavors. Top with club soda.
Beat the Heat Tropical Watermelon Sunrise
This drink is great for super hot day drinks, pool parties, or other outdoor events. Simply throw all the ingredients in a blender and press blend! Add a little club soda or some more ice cubes to thin it out to the desired consistency. This is a great drink to make in giant batches, so I definitely recommend multiplying the ingredients and making a huge pitcher. You can even increase the ratio of tequila to watermelon and make an awesome shooter that everyone will love.
- 1-2 ounces white tequila
- A few chunks of watermelon (fresh or frozen)
- Juice of half an orange
Ultra-Hydrating Pineapple Coconut Cooler
Using coconut water in this drink is actually a really fun and creative way to stay hydrated when drinking in the warmer months. It also pairs perfectly with coconut rum. Simply combine all ingredients (except the mint) and give it a few shakes. Add mint as a garnish for a refreshing note that compliments the pineapple in this drink and keeps you cool.
- 1-2 ounces white coconut rum
- 1-2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce coconut water
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
‘Adult’ Apple Juice
Everyone has had jungle juice at an obnoxious frat party. But this summer hopefully you’ve graduated from those slutty shit shows and moved on to classier events. This is perhaps one of the easiest drinks to make. It’s simply sparkling cider, vodka, and a little lemon. If you’re feeling adventurous (or had a bad day at your internship) substitute whisky for vodka. Because everyone knows vodka is really child’s play when it comes to alcohol.
- 1-2 ounces vodka
- 3 ounces sparkling apple cider
- A couple of lemon wedges and their juice
Let’s make a pact this summer to avoid excessive calories from alcohol and drinking. Remember, we want beach babes, not beached whales! With these tasty drink recipes, you’ll still stay in shape without going overboard in the alcohol or calories departments. Now all you need is the perfect excuse to drink and try out one of these delicious recipes!
Featured image via Erin Kohlenberg on Flickr
I’m definitely into that adult apple juice.