What To Sip On During The Official Start Of The Hamptons Season: Eleven Memorial Day Weekend Cocktail Options

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

12 cups Watermelon, seeded and cubed (approximately 4 lbs, depending on water content)

1/2 cup Water*

1/4 cup Lime Juice*

8 tbs Monin Simple Syrup*

32 Mint leaves

8 oz. Azzurre Vodka

Club Soda

Summer Slush and Pinnacle Coconut Spritzer. (Courtesy Photos)

Mint Sprigs for garnish

Lime Slices for garnish

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:

2 parts Cruzan Estate Light Rum

1 part Cruzan 9

4 parts Pineapple Juice

2 parts Mango Juice

1 part Orange Juice

Directions: Combine all ingredients, mix well. Pour over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with a fruit wedge.

Not Just Any Punch and Patriotic Punch. (Courtesy Photos)

3. Americana Margarita:

Americana Margarita. (Courtesy Photo)

1.5 oz. 1800 Tequila

.75 oz. Blue Curacao

.5 oz. Pineapple Juice

Splash of Lime Juice

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:

1 part Pinnacle Coconut Vodka

2 parts Club Soda

Splash of Pineapple Juice

Directions: Mix ingredients and serve over ice. Garnish with lime wheel.

5. American Honey Lemonade:

2 parts American Honey

1 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1 part Simple Syrup

American Honey Lemonade. (Courtesy Photo)

Directions: Combine ingredients in pitcher, stir and add ice. Garnish with lemon wheels.

6. Not Just Any Punch:

1 part Hornitos Reposado Tequila

1/2 part Cranberry Juice

1/3 part Lime Juice

1/2 part Simple Syrup

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Lime Peel

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime peel.

7. Patriotic Punch:

2 oz. Boodles Gin

.75 oz Pomegranate Juice

.25 oz. fresh Lemon Juice

.5 oz. Simple Syrup

1 dash Grapefruit Bitters

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:

2 parts Knob Creek Rye Whiskey

1 part DeKuyper Sloe Gin

1 Maraschino Cherry for garnish

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)

1.5 parts Sugar Island Coconut Rum

1 tsp Orange Marmalade

1 slice fresh Pineapple

1 part Coconut Water

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:

1 1/2 parts Grey Goose Cherry Noir

3 parts Perrier

2 Lemon wedges for garnish

Branch of Oregano for garnish

Directions: Combine ingredients. Top with branch of oregano and lemon wedges.

11. Summer Slush:

1 part Skinnygirl California White Wine

1 part Cruzan Light Rum

2 parts frozen Lemonade

1 part Seltzer

Directions: Blend with a little crushed ice and pour into a flute glass. Top with seltzer.