A’QUA SWIM’S TOP 5 FAVORITE SUMMER COCKTAILS Posted by Sam Bendall
With the sun in the sky, music playing, your favorite bikini on, lounging by the pool or the ocean, we know how to relax and maximize every sense. A big part of that is having a delightful cocktail in your hand with nothing to do and let time fly by.
1. PALOMA
Always tart and refreshing, the Paloma’s origins stem from Mexico but when it was first created remains a topic of debate. But that won’t stop you from enjoying one.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 oz. tequila
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• pinch of salt
• grapefruit soda
THE BUILD
Combine the tequila (Reposado tastes best), lime juice, and salt in a tall glass. Add ice, top off with grapefruit soda, and stir.
2. LAST WORD
This is a strong and mighty drink with high alcohol content so beware. It’s typically the last cocktail you have before you leave the bar. However, it does a great job at balancing tart and sweet to make it a truly delicious cocktail by the pool.
INGREDIENTS
3/4 ounce gin
3/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
THE BUILD
Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake.
Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. MINT JULEP
Made famous as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, this summer beverage dates back to early colonial America as a morning elixir. We don’t care because it had bourbon and mint in it and those are two things we love.
INGREDIENTS
• 3 oz. bourbon
• 5-6 mint leaves
• 1 tsp. sugar
THE BUILD
Pop in the mint leaves into the bottom of a pre-chilled, dry pewter cup. Add sugar and crush a little bit with a muddler. Pack glass with finely cracked ice, then pour a nice 3 ounces of bourbon over the ice. Stir briskly until the cup frosts. Add more ice and stir again before serving. Stick a few sprigs of mint into the ice to get a nice aroma.
4. MOJITO
Cuba’s most famous and refreshing drink. Mint is also great for the digestive system so be sure to eat the garnish when the liquid is gone.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. white rum
• 1/2 oz. lime juice. Fresh squeezed is preferred
• 1 tsp. superfine sugar
• 3 mint leaves, club soda or seltzer
THE BUILD
In a collins glass, muddle lime juice with 1/2 to 1 tsp. superfine sugar. Add mint leaves and muddle them against the side of the glass. Fill glass 2/3 with cracked ice and pour in the rum. Pitch in the squeezed-out lime shell and top off with club soda or seltzer.
5. MARGARITA
A classic and refreshing summer favorite.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 oz. silver tequila
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. lime juice
• coarse salt
THE BUILD
Chill a cocktail glass, coat the rim with lime juice, and dip it in coarse salt. For a little spice, coat the rim with Tajin. Add tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and ice together in a cocktail shaker. Shake it up, then strain into the glass over ice. Enjoy!
NON-ALCOHOLIC OPTION
For those who don’t consume alcohol, we have a bonus cocktail that will put you delightfully at ease.
COLD BREW MINT JULEP
INGREDIENTS
10 mint leaves
½ ounce simple syrup
3 ounces cold brew coffee
10 mg CBD lavender bitters (optional)
THE BUILD
Muddle half the mint leaves in the bottom of a rocks glass.
Stir simple syrup and cold brew over crushed ice.
Add CBD lavender bitters.
Garnish with remaining mint sprigs.
