From fruity to frosty, summer cocktails can really help you beat the heat! When guests drop by for summer gatherings, fire up the grill, fill up those deep kitchen sinks with ice, bottled water and beer, and whip up a few pitchers of spectacular summer cocktails. Here are a few of our favorite adult beverages to sip in the summer sun, courtesy of some of our favorite foodies.
Clinton Kelly’s Sweet Tea Sangria
Clinton Kelly, co-host of ABC’s hit daytime show The Chew, is famous for his creative libations. His Sweet Tea Sangria is ripe with summer fruits for a refreshing twist on the classic sweet tea. Start by heating four quarts of water to a near boil, and stir in ½ cup of sugar until dissolved. Add four tea bags and steep for 10 minutes. Then allow your sweet tea to chill in the fridge before crafting this cocktail.
In a large pitcher, mix four cups of sweet tea with a bottle of white wine. Add two cups of sliced strawberries, two cups of sliced peaches, and chill for two to eight hours. Serve in a tall glass over ice with a shot of bourbon, and garnish with fresh mint leaves. For a non-alcoholic twist, omit the bourbon and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice instead. Sweet tea is the perfect summer sipper, and this spectacular summer cocktail takes a classic to the next level!
Bobby Flay’s Mojito Limeade
The quintessential beverage garnish, limes reach their peak flavor in the summer. Let them take center stage by whipping up a pitcher of Mojito Limeade, courtesy of Chef Bobby Flay. This Food Network star knows a thing or two about summer grilling, and cocktails! But first, make a lime-mint simple syrup by bringing two cups of sugar and two cups of water to a low boil. Remove from the heat and add two zested limes, and ½ a cup of mint leaves and let sit at room temperature for a half hour to infuse the flavors. Strain out the mint and zest and refrigerate covered until cooled.
Start the cocktail by muddling ½ cup of fresh mint leaves, and two limes cut into wedges, with two cups of crushed ice in a large pitcher. Add a cup of lime-mint syrup, a liter of white rum, and ½ cup of fresh lime juice. Top with ice and club soda. Sure lemonade is refreshing, but the sweet tart taste of Mojito Limeade may just be a new summer favorite!
Martha Stewart’s Watermelon Cooler
This sparkling adult beverage is delicious and makes a pretty presentation. So naturally, it comes courtesy of Martha Stewart! Puree 3 pounds of watermelon in a food processor to start, and set aside. Muddle two tablespoons of fresh mint leaves with a tablespoon of fine sugar in a large pitcher, and then fill the pitcher with ice cubes. Stir in two cups of watermelon puree, one and ¼ cups of ginger ale, ¼ cup of vodka, a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and three or four splashes of bitters. Garnish your pitcher of Watermelon Cooler with fresh mint and enjoy the fruits of summer!
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