The Dog Days of summer are officially upon us! We've rounded up our favorite easy summer cocktails, perfect to batch up for late summer BBQs or backyard hangs. These can all be made ahead of time, so you don't need to spend your BBQ mixing up cocktails in the kitchen.
No matter where you are, these drinks are the perfect way to cool off in the August heat.
1. Watermelon-Basil Crush
makes 6-7 drinks
ingredients - 1, 16oz bottle Watermelon Margarita (organic white tea, watermelon, raspberry)
- 5 cups fresh watermelon juice
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- Tequila, Vodka or Gin
If you are juicing a real watermelon, place pieces into a blender and blend until it's juice like. Strain the pulp (as much as you can).
Combine Watermelon Margarita, watermelon juice, lemon juice and basil leaves in a pitcher and place in fridge for about 2 hours. ⠀
When ready to serve, combine 2 parts Watermelon blend with 1 part sprit over ice. Swirl to combine. Top with soda water (optional). Garnish with a lime, and serve!
2. Summer Breeze
ingredients:
- 1 Part Citrus Sweet Tea (English Breakfast Tea, Lemon and Lime)
- 1 Part Bourbon
- Top with Ginger Beer
- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
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- Add Citrus Sweet Tea and Bourbon in a shaker with ice and stir until chilled
- Strain into a glass with fresh ice, and top with ginger beer and squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- Garnish with fresh lemon slices
Batching for a crowd? Add Citrus Sweet Tea,
Bourbon and lemon slices to a pitcher. When
ready to serve, pour over ice and top
with ginger beer!
3. White Tea Rosé
ingredients:
- 1, 750ml bottle dry rose
- 1, 16oz bottle Watermelon Margarita (White Tea, Watermelon, Raspberry)
- Fresh mint and/or basil
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- Gently muddle herbs in a pitcher. Add rose and Watermelon Margarita. Put in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- When ready to serve, pour over ice and enjoy!
4. Hibiscus Margarita
ingredients:
- 2oz Strawberry Manhattan (Darjeeling, Hibiscus, Strawberry)
- 1oz Tequila
Squeeze of fresh lime
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- Combine Strawberry Manhattan, tequila and lime juice in a shaker with ice, and shake.
-Strain into glass with fresh ice, and garnish with additional lime wheels.
5. White Tea Aperol Spritz
ingredients:
- 3 parts Boozy Tea Green (White Tea, Watermelon, Raspberry)⠀
- 1 part Aperol
- Garnish with Orange Slice ⠀
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- Pour Boozy Tea and Aperol into a glass over ice. Swirl to mix. Garnish with orange.
6. Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
ingredients:
- 1, 16oz bottle Watermelon Margarita (White Tea, Watermelon, Raspberry)
- 1, 750ml Prosecco/ Champagne
- Fresh watermelon cubes, raspberries and lemon slices
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- Gently muddle raspberries, watermelon cubes and lemon slices in a pitcher.
-Add 1, 16oz bottle of Watermelon Margarita and let sit for 1-3 hours in the fridge.
- When ready to serve, add 1 part Watermelon Margarita mixture, and top with 1 part chilled Prosecco or champagne. Garnish with extra berries.
7. Citrus Tequila Crush
ingredients:
- 4 oz Citrus Sweet Tea (English Breakfast Tea, Lemon and Lime)
- 2 oz Tequila
- .5 oz fresh lemon juice
- Fresh lemon juice, to taste
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- Add Citrus Sweet Tea, Tequila and lemon to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled.
- Pour into a glass with fresh ice (preferably crushed!). Top with a splash of seltzer, and garnish with lemon wheels.
Drink Wise,
The Owl's Brew Crew