Beat the heat and enjoy refreshing, farm-fresh summer cocktails that celebrate the season’s best ingredients. From garden herbs to ripe fruits, incorporating local produce into your drinks not only enhances flavor but also supports local farmers. Here are some creative summer cocktails that bring the farm to your glass.
1. Herb-Infused Cocktails
Basil Lemonade Spritzer:
- Ingredients: Fresh basil, lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling water, vodka.
- Preparation: Muddle basil with lemon juice and simple syrup, add vodka, and top with sparkling water. Serve over ice with a basil leaf garnish.
Rosemary Gin Fizz:
- Ingredients: Fresh rosemary, gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, club soda.
- Preparation: Shake gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup with ice. Strain into a glass, top with club soda, and garnish with a rosemary sprig.
2. Fruit-Based Cocktails
Strawberry Mint Mojito:
- Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, white rum, club soda.
- Preparation: Muddle strawberries and mint with lime juice and sugar. Add rum and ice, top with club soda, and garnish with a strawberry and mint.
Peach Bourbon Smash:
- Ingredients: Fresh peaches, bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, mint.
- Preparation: Muddle peaches and mint with lemon juice and simple syrup. Add bourbon and ice, shake well, and strain into a glass. Garnish with peach slices and mint.
3. Vegetable Cocktails
Cucumber Cooler:
- Ingredients: Fresh cucumber, lime juice, mint leaves, simple syrup, gin.
- Preparation: Muddle cucumber and mint with lime juice and simple syrup. Add gin and ice, shake well, and strain into a glass. Garnish with cucumber slices and mint.
Tomato Basil Martini:
- Ingredients: Fresh tomatoes, basil leaves, vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup.
- Preparation: Muddle tomatoes and basil with lemon juice and simple syrup. Add vodka and ice, shake well, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Incorporating farm-fresh ingredients into your summer cocktails not only enhances their flavor but also supports local agriculture. At Joy Wallace Catering, we pride ourselves on using the finest local produce to create exceptional culinary experiences. To learn about our catering services and our refreshing cocktail ideas for your next catered event, get in touch today.