Friday, June 22, 2012

Summer Lovin’

With the arrival of summer, bathing suit and barbecue season has officially begun. While you are celebrating the season with friends, crazy cocktails will be passed around and enjoyed by all – but no one wants a beer gut in a bikini! All of these delicious, guilt free cocktails make the perfect pairing for your summertime parties and meetings. With a little something for everyone, you can share these drinks with all of your friends and colleagues at your favorite beach, barbecue, or board room. If you are having a summer sales meeting, these drinks can add a fun twist to your reception and leave all of your attendees happy. Now take out your cocktail shakers and have some fun! 

Put on your big sun hat and enjoy this new twist on the classic Kentucky Derby cocktail, the Mint Julep – the Ginger Julep! 

1½ ounce Bourbon 
3 mint leaves, divided
2 lemon wedges
2 ginger rounds (made by slicing the ginger root into 1/8-inch-thick rounds)
¾ ounce simple syrup

Muddle the ginger and lemon wedges in a cocktail shaker. Add the mint and lightly crush. Combine the Bourbon and simple syrup, and shake with one ice cube. Strain the mixture over crushed ice into a julep mug and garnish with the remaining mint leaf. 

For tequila lovers, there’s no need to break out those crazy sugary margaritas or subject yourself to shots – try the Agave Royale! 

5 blackberries, divided
1¼ ounce silver Tequila
¼ ounce Maraschino Liqueur
¾ ounce lemon juice
¾ ounce ginger syrup
1 piece candied ginger 

Muddle three fresh blackberries in a cocktail shaker. Add the Tequila, liqueur, lemon juice and ginger syrup, and shake with one ice cube. Strain the mixture into a chilled rocks glass and top with crushed ice. Garnish with the remaining blackberries and candied ginger. 

Now with a personal favorite, this light gin based drink includes a splash of yuzu juice. Yuzu is a Japanese fruit that has three times more Vitamin C than a lemon and also contains cell and fat burning properties! It’s the perfect drink to cool down and burn up at the same time – the Gin Lantern! 

1¼ ounce London dry gin 
¼ ounce Bénédictine or other aromatic herbal liqueur 
½ ounce yuzu juice
½ ounce honey syrup (3 parts honey to 1 part water)
Splash of club soda
1 rosemary stalk 

Combine the gin, Bénédictine, yuzu juice and honey syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and pour the contents into a frosted pilsner glass. Top the cocktail with club soda, and garnish with a rosemary stalk 

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