Occasionally it is fun to play mixologist, shake up a few disparate ingredients and see what pours out, but if you aren’t so inclined these drinks are definitely summer and will most certainly please your drinkers palate.

Watermelon & Tequila

Blend it, freeze it, and then sip slowly.

Ingredients:

1 seedless watermelon

¾ cup lemon juice

2 cups of silver tequila

Directions:

Dice watermelon into chunks.  Remove and discard the rind.  In a food processor puree the chunks.

Strain and in a separate bowl, measure out 4 cups.  Whisk in the lemon juice.

Pour the mixture into ice trays until firm.

When your lemon/watermelon cubes are fully frozen, add 1 cup of tequila to the first half of flavored ice cubes.  Blend in food processor until well blended.  Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Simple Shandy

It doesn’t get much easier than a Shandy, but nothing tastes quite as good on a hot summer day.

Ingredients:

½ glass (about 4 oz) of light beer

½ glass (about 4 oz) of ginger beer, ginger ale, or 7-Up

Directions:

Fill half of a chilled glass with the mixer of your choice.  Adding the mixer first helps reduce foaming.

Fill the remaining space with beer of preference. Many prefer a lighter beer, like a

Pale Ale, but it really is personal preference.

Optional: Muddle and add fresh mint for the perfect Sunday afternoon treat.

Lillet and Basil Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 cup ice
½ cup lillet
1 ounce gin
2 tablespoons orange juice
¼ cup basil, packed
Splash of soda water

Directions:

Combine everything but the soda water in a cocktail shaker.

Press down the basil leaves with a spoon to release the flavor.  Shake and pour into a glass with a handful of ice.

Top off with the soda water and add basil leaf garnish.

 

-Arianna Schioldager