Hot summer nights call for refreshing drinks that aren’t too heavy or too sweet. For that just-enough touch of sweetness, look to the bar cart staple, Simple Syrup. It’s made from equal amounts of sugar and water and will last for about a month in your refrigerator. You can infuse basic simple syrup with herbs like basil, rosemary, or mint for more complex flavors. Make a batch to have on hand and then try each of these recipes because while you might want to take it easy this summer, you don’t want to get bored!
Tom Collins
Lemon juice, soda water, gin, and simple syrup are all it takes to mix up this refreshing cocktail at home. It’s a good starter cocktail to make if you’re new to backyard bartending or just learning to wield a cocktail shaker.
Mojito
Mint is the garnish most likely to be taking over your backyard. Luckily mojitos are a tasty way to keep it in check. Mojitos are a great accompaniment to Cuban Sandwiches eaten outside on a muggy summer night. They’re a delicious combination inside in the air conditioning, too.
Margarita
There are better margarita options than the neon-colored slush that comes from tubes. That might be tasty during a night out on the town with a group of friends, but you can take it up a notch when you’re mixing drinks at your house. Great quality ingredients in perfect proportion with each other are a fantastic match with chips, guac, and a summer sunset.
Classic Moscow Mule
Come for the copper cup and stay for the sparkling ginger-lime flavor with just the right amount of kick. Use the golden ratio to get the perfect blend of sour, sweet, liquor, and mixer. The eye-catching copper cup is optional.
Citrus Berry Smash
A summer cocktail list would be incomplete without at least one drink that looks great with an umbrella in it! This is the drink! It includes basil simple syrup which you can make by steeping fresh basil in simple syrup just after the syrup finishes cooking. As written, this recipe is a mocktail so it’s a great option for kids and non-drinkers. In practice, it’s awfully tasty with a shot of vodka mixed into it.
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