Beat the heat this summer with a refreshing drink made with ingredients right from your bar cabinet. These sensational cocktails use simple supplies that you likely have at home — and the best part? No bartender is needed! Whip up one of these ice cold adult beverages for your next at-home happy hour or weekend wind down.
1.Vodka Lemonade
Lemonade is a classic summertime treat, and it also makes a great base for a cocktail. You should already have vodka on hand, so head to your home bar and grab a bottle right from your bar cabinet, along with some freshly squeezed lemonade and a few extra lemons.
Mix two ounces of vodka with six ounces of lemonade and pour over ice. Thinly slice a lemon to use as a garnish and voila! You have yourself a delicious summer cocktail in seconds. If you don’t like your drinks super sweet, you can dilute the lemonade with a little club soda or lemon-flavored sparkling water.
2. Calimocho
Sangria is a go-to cocktail in the spring and summer months, because of its fresh, fruity flavors. But some recipes can get pretty elaborate with four kinds of fruit, cinnamon sticks, and brandy. If you want the sweet, slightly bubbly taste of Sangria without the prep, try the Calimocho.
Also known as the “Poor Man’s Sangria,” this Spanish cocktail originates from the Basque region of Spain and needs only two ingredients — soda and wine. If you have a bottle of wine in your wine storage cabinet, you’re halfway there! Traditionally this recipe calls for equal parts cola and red wine. You mix the two liquids together and serve over ice with a lime garnish. It’s unexpected, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
3. Ranch Water
A summer staple in Texas, Ranch Water is simply tequila, lime, and sparkling water (preferably Topo Chico). How much you add of each ingredient is based on your own preferences. Since this recipe is up for interpretation, you can go heavy on the tequila or flood it with lime — it’s completely your call.
If you like your cocktails with a bit of a kick, run a lime around the rim of your glass and dip the glass into some spicy salt. You can make it easily at home by blending coarse salt with ground chili pepper from your bar cabinet spice rack.
4. Fresh Bellini
If you have a huge bowl of fresh fruit on top of your kitchen island, this recipe is a great way to make use of those ripe peaches. Although opting for fresh peaches in a Bellini is a little more leg work, it’s a thousand times more delicious than a pre-made mix. And this recipe is still only two ingredients!
To make fresh peach puree, all you need to do is peel and slice your peaches and then blend them up in a food processor or blender. Store your puree in the refrigerator, so that it’s nice and cool when you’re ready to serve your Bellinis. Grab a bottle of Prosecco from your wine storage cabinet and you’re ready to go! Each flute should have about two ounces of puree in it before topping with Prosecco for the perfect peachy delight.
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