Although there’s nothing more all-American for a Memorial Day celebration than beer and barbecue, for some, a beer just isn’t sufficient. Some need the cool, refreshing bite of a drink shaken or stirred to get them in that celebratory mood. Below, catch our recipes for three tasty cocktails perfect for kicking off the summer just right.
Tom Collins
Back in vogue thanks to shows like Mad Men, this retro gin cocktail is like lemonade for grownups.
• 1 1/2 oz gin
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz sugar syrup
• club soda
• maraschino cherry for garnish
• lemon slice for garnish
Pour the gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup in a Collins glass with ice cubes. Stir thoroughly. Top with club soda. Garnish with the cherry and lemon slice. (Recipe courtesy delish.com)
Mint Julep
Minty and strong, nothing says lounging on the porch during a southern summer like one of these sweet things.
• 4 fresh mint sprigs
• 2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1 tsp powdered sugar
• 2 tsp water
Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a Collins glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw. (Recipe courtesy drinksmixer.com)
Sangria Punch
Nothing goes better with red meat than red wine—and what better way to enjoy it than by punching it up Spanish-style, and in a big enough bowl for all your guests to enjoy?
• 8 oz ginger ale
• 4 oz sugar syrup
• 32 oz club soda
• 3 oz curaçao
• 2 oz brandy (optional)
• 2 750 ml bottles red wine
• juice of 1 orange
• juice of 1 lemon or lime
• 6 thinly sliced orange and lemon sections for garnish
• 1 thinly sliced fresh or brandied peach for garnish
Pre-chill all ingredients (preferably overnight). Mix the red wine, curaçao, brandy, fruit juices and sugar syrup well. Strain into a chilled punch bowl with a cake of ice. Add the club soda. Garnish with the orange, lemon and peach slices. (Recipe courtesy about.com)
