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Cruzan House Punch. (Courtesy Photo) |
After the ridiculous amount of snow we had this winter, many of us have been impatiently counting down the days until summer. After seeing nothing but filthy snow for a few months, some of us may have even dreamt of pristinely manicured green lawns. Well, the day we’ve been waiting for is finally here. In honor of Memorial Day weekend, here are eleven warm weather cocktail ideas, so you can to toast to the official start of the Hamptons season, and warm weather.
1. Azzurre Watermelon Mint “Agua Fresca:” (Created by Cassandra Rosen)
Makes 8 servings
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Summer Slush and Pinnacle Coconut Spritzer. (Courtesy Photos) |
Directions: Add the watermelon, lime juice, simple syrup, and water to a blender, and puree gently. Press through a mesh strainer into a pitcher, cover and refrigerate at least two hours, or overnight. Add 4 large mint leaves to a glass, muddle. Add ice, pour in the watermelon agua fresca. Add vodka and soda, stir. Garnish as desired. (Note: You can substitute 1 cup limeade for water, sugar, and fresh lime juice if needed. For batching, you may blend the mint leaves with the watermelon prior to straining.)
2. Cruzan House Punch:
Directions: Combine all ingredients, mix well. Pour over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with a fruit wedge.
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Not Just Any Punch and Patriotic Punch. (Courtesy Photos) |
3. Americana Margarita:
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Americana Margarita. (Courtesy Photo) |
Directions: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice into a rocks or margarita glass. Garnish with lime wedge.
4. Pinnacle Coconut Spritzer:
Directions: Mix ingredients and serve over ice. Garnish with lime wheel.
5. American Honey Lemonade:
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American Honey Lemonade. (Courtesy Photo) |
Directions: Combine ingredients in pitcher, stir and add ice. Garnish with lemon wheels.
6. Not Just Any Punch:
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime peel.
7. Patriotic Punch:
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Knob Creek Blackhawk. (Courtesy Photo) |
Directions: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and pour over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Add a splash of club soda. Garnish with a long lemon peel.
8. Knob Creek Blackhawk:
Directions: In a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine the whiskey and gin. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.
9. Piña Pequeña: (Created by John Henderson of The Happiest Hour in NYC)
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Piña Pequeña. (Courtesy Photo) |
Directions: Muddle pineapple, and add rest of ingredients, shake everything, and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Top with a splash of soda and garnish with two pineapple leaves. (Note: This low calorie Pina Colada clocks in at only 151 calories, as opposed to the average 600 calorie version)
10. Grey Goose Cherry Noir & Soda:
Directions: Combine ingredients. Top with branch of oregano and lemon wedges.
11. Summer Slush:
Directions: Blend with a little crushed ice and pour into a flute glass. Top with seltzer.
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Grey Goose Cherry Noir & Soda. (Courtesy Photo) |
