It’s hump day and we’re officially in the hottest month of the year. It’s hot outside, the days are long and it’s the perfect time to sit outside by pool and relax with a cocktail. Perfect summer sips are not hard to come by. Everyone has their favorite poolside beverage. I like a summer drink that’s refreshing and not too sweet like a simple gin and tonic with a squeeze of lime or a light mojito. Sometimes a great mocktail is all you need – I still feel like I’m having fun for less calories. Here are a couple summer drink recipes for an evening at home:
Summer Drink Recipes
Cucumber-Lemonade Chiller
from Delish.com (if you really want to impress your guests, try this one – it’s delicious and pretty!)
Ingredients
– 3 Large cucumbers
– 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary (plus 4 sprigs for garnish)
– 1 cup water
– 6 ounces gin
– ½ cup lemon juice
– 3 tbsp agave nectar
– Cut 12 thin slices of cucumber for garnish
Peel and chop the rest of the cucumber; transfer to a food processor, add rosemary, and puree. Pour the puree through a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl or large measuring cup. Press on the solids to extract all the juice. Add water, gin, lemon juice, and agave syrup to the cucumber juice; stir until the agave is dissolved. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with cucumber slices and rosemary sprigs.
Mojito Mocktail
from the BBC Good Food Blog
Ingredients
– 1 tbsp sugar
– Small bunch mint
– Juice of 3 limes
– Soda water
– (I like to add a little coconut water for an extra tropical touch!)
Muddle the sugar with leaves from the mint using a pestle and mortar (or use a small bowl and the end of a rolling pin). Put a handful of crushed ice into 2 tall glasses. Divide the lime juice between the glasses with the mint mix. Add a straw and top up with soda water.
