Quenching a Summertime Thirst
Warm weather brings rising thirst and what better way to quench that craving than with refreshing adult-friendly beverages.
Cocktails:
Mint Julep is as much a summertime tradition as watching the Kentucky Derby. Garnished with a sprig of mint, this strong cocktail can be enjoyed throughout the warm months. Made famous at Kentucky’s Church Hill Downs, the Mint Julep combines bourbon, sugar, water and mint.
To make a Mint Julep, you will need:
• 1 shot of Bourbon
• 1 tsp of fine grain sugar
• 1 tsp of water
• Crushed Ice
• 3 sprigs of fresh mint
• Collins Glass
• Muddler
Instructions for making a Mint Julep:
1. The first step in creating a Mint Julep is to muddle two sprigs of mint with sugar and water. Muddling involves smashing the dry ingredients in the bottom of the glass with a bar tool called a muddler. This tool can look like the bottom of a baseball bat. Once ingredients are well combined, add water.
2. Add desired amount of crushed ice, and pour bourbon on top.
3. Garnish the glass with a mint sprig.
The Long Island Iced Tea has been served as a summer cocktail since the 70s. This highball drink combines four different kinds of liquor with triple sec, sour mix and cola. Because the Long Island Iced Tea contains five shots of alcohol in one serving, this is best consumed conservatively, especially on a hot day.
To make a Long Island Iced Tea, you will need:
• Ice
• 1 shot of vodka
• 1 shot of gin
• 1 shot of rum
• 1 shot of tequila
• Splash of triple sec
• Splash of sour mix
• Splash of cola
• Cocktail shaker
Instructions for making a Long Island Iced Tea:
1. Combine ice, liquor, triple sec and sour mix in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.
2. Pour contents in glasses and add cola on top.
Beers:
Served at a cooler temperature than most beer, the Pilsner is an excellent choice when seeking out summertime beer. This beer’s pale straw color provides a refreshing and drinkable option when hosting an outdoor party or crawfish boil. Sam Adams Noble Pils is a good example of this beer style. A citrus undertone combines with a crisp finish, making this brew a refreshing treat on a hot summer day.
Pale Ale provides a light hoppy flavor that is best served cold. This beer is more flavorful than a Pilsner. A prominent floral aroma makes this beverage ideal for the spring and summer seasons. Anchor Liberty Ale by Anchor Brewing Company is an excellent example of an American Pale Ale.
Wines:
There's no better way to relax on a warm, sunny day than by enjoying a refreshing glass of wine. While you shouldn't neglect your bold rich favorites, certain wines are generally lighter, less alcoholic, fruit-forward, and make perfect summertime sippers.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a racy, aromatic, white wine. A perfect picnic wine, the tangy acidity of Sauvignon Blanc makes it the ideal accompaniment to cold salads such as tarragon chicken, shrimp, or crab.
Torrontés is Argentina's signature white grape variety. It's lively and intensely aromatic with floral notes and the flavors of orange blossom, green apple, and tropical fruit. Torrontés wines can be just a tad bit sweeter than the other summer-perfect selections, which are completely dry. What makes these great summer wines? They're delightful on their own and are also a perfect match for foods such as curry chicken salad with raisins or a salami and cheese plate.
Perhaps no other wines say summertime quite like Rosés–and if you haven't tried them yet, now is the time. Rosés are dry, crisp, fresh, and burst with ripe red fruit flavors of strawberries and raspberries. They can also be herbal, floral, and earthy. Made from red grapes, rosés are pink in color and lighter in tannins because the skins of the dark grapes are removed before the fermentation process. Perfect on a hot day, these refreshing, chilled wines go great with all types of salads, cold cuts, and even grilled turkey burgers. Some favorite brands include the IM Rosé with rich, bright summer flavors or the Hecht and Bainer Rosé which delivers an incredible wow.
For die-hard red wine lovers, no matter the menu, there is a perfect wine for your summertime grilling: Beaujolais. Made exclusively from the Gamay grape, Beaujolais wines are soft, fruity, and flavorful. There are various levels of Beaujolais. Try the more youthful ones labeled "Beaujolais" or "Beaujolais Villages," which are best enjoyed slightly chilled. An extremely food-friendly wine, Beaujolais goes well with everything from grilled hamburgers to light summer salads to simple turkey and cheese sandwiches.
