Favorite Summer Drinks

Favorite Summer Citrus Drinks

Here in Southern Arizona, Summer weather is blazing in. Even though it’s not officially summertime, the weather has me gathering ingredients for some of my favorite summer citrus drinks, both cocktail and mocktail. Any drink, even water, can be made special if served in a beautiful glass with fresh fruit and herbs. I have to admit that my tastes run toward the tangy, not-too-sweet citrus, so here is a collection of lemon or lime based beverages.

Photo by RitaE–19628

Lemon Limeade

Serves 4

  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • Zest of 3 lemons and/or limes (wide strips)
  • ¾ cup lemon/lime juice – about 3 lemons or combination of both
  • 3 additional cups of water
  • Lemon and/or lime slices for garnish
  • Fresh mint leaves

This recipe works great with lemons or limes.  I like to mix them both if I have them.  Since limes are smaller, you may need to use a few more of them to produce ¾ cups juice.  Also, Meyer lemons will be a little less tart.  This lemonade can be a base for other cocktails.

Make your simple syrup by bringing the sugar and water to boil, stirring until sugar disolves. Remove from heat and add the lemon zest, allowing it to steep for 30 minutes.  Strain the lemon syrup into a pitcher, add lemon juice and 3 cups of water.  Stir to combine, serve over ice and garnish with citrus slices, and fresh mint.

If you have an abundance of mint in your garden, you can make lemonade very special by muddling some mint leaves, or strawberries in the bottom of the pitcher.  The additional of mint and other pretty fruit elevates this simple classic beverage to a new level.

If you make extra syrup, you can store in the refrigerator for several days.  It will be a great addition to lot of other drinks.

Arnold Palmer

This super easy drink uses half lemonade, and half sweet tea. I typically like mine made with black tea, brewed very dark, and then mixed, unsweetened, with lemonade. Experiment with your favorite combination!

Tipsy Arnold Palmer

Tipsy Arnold Palmer

This is an Arnold Palmer with Vodka. To get the best flavor, brew 2 black tea bags in 1/2 cup of boiling water. Let cool. Add to a pitcher with 4 cups of lemonade and 1/2 cup of vodka. Simple as that!

This can also be made so delicious, by using 1/2 cup of sweet tea vodka and 4 cups of lemonade. Try it! The least expensive I’ve found, Seagrams Sweet Tea Vodka, is available at Total Wine and other retailers.  They also have several made by boutique distilleries.  Check them out!  But be careful, this cocktail goes down easy and packs a punch.

Limoncello Vodka/Gin Collins

If you made Limoncello with the recipe I posted here, you have the start to a delicious Vodka or Gin Limoncello Collins. Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups good Vodka or Gin
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
  • 6 tablespoons simple syrup (leftover from lemonade recipe, maybe?)
  • ¼ cup Limoncello
  • 1½ cups cold Pelligrino, or other sparkling water
  • Ice cubes
  • Sliced lemon, for serving

Combine the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Limoncello in a large pitcher.  Fill glasses with ice and pour the mixture over the ice. Top each glass with Pelligrino and stir.  Garnish each drink with a slice of lemon.

Moscow Mule
Photo by Andrea P. Coan

Moscow Mule

This is probably my very favorite summer cocktail. It’s tart, not too sweet, and the ginger beer gives it a spicy zing. Of course, it tastes best in the cute copper mug. Not really sure why, it just does. This recipe serves one.

For each cocktail, you will need:

  • 1 ½ oz. vodka
  • ½  oz. fresh lime juice
  • ½  cup of ginger beer
  • Fresh mint, for garnish
  • Lime wedges, for garnish

Fill mug or glass with ice and pour in the vodka and lime juice.  Top with ginger beer, and garnish with fresh mint and lime wedge.

If you want to make it virgin, sub out the vodka for a splash of sparkling water and you’re good to go!

Note:  Fever Tree ginger beer is very good, and you can find it many places, including World Market.  Trader Joe’s Triple Ginger Brew is fantastic.  It’s only available around the holidays, so I usually buy several bottles to stock up for summer! Hint: Save the swing-top bottles for your home-made Limoncello.

Maybe next time I’ll share my favorite sangria recipes for both a red sangria, and a white sangria! The white is fantastic for summer, and I love the red in the fall.

What are your favorite summer drinks?

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