Summertime…. And the livin’ is easy…..

For some of you summer has already arrived, but for the rest of us, it is still being eagerly awaited. List of things to do: get a new pair of flip flops; get a pedicure so that flip-flopped feet don’t scare young children; go to store to buy bikini/board shorts; leave store empty-handed as you had forgotten that your parka hid all manner of winter sins; say ‘forget it’ and mix up some summer-themed cocktails to make yourself feel better. Aah, summer….

For this edition of the newsletter I have decide to forgo my usual rambling as no one needs to be convinced that summer is a time for trying new cocktails. It doesn’t matter what your little piece of summer heaven is, a patio in your backyard, a boat dock or a postage stamp-sized front lawn, all that matter is that you have friends and family nearby and something cold to sip on. So, stop reading and get sipping!

Note: Look for drink pics in the next newsletter….

Sun Of A Beach

1 oz melon liqueur

1 oz gin

6 oz freshly squeezed orange juice

Combine all the ingredients in a tall glass over ice and garnish with an orange slice if desired.

Comments: This is a very good choice for those folks that prefer a lighter (in alcohol) drink. That is not me, but to each his own :).

Tasting Notes: fruity with a bit of a zip; colour of sunshine!

A Day at the Beach

1 oz coconut rum

1/2 oz amaretto

4 oz orange juice

1/2 oz grenadine

Shake first three ingredients over ice in a shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass half-filled with ice. Top with the grenadine and garnish with a pineapple wedge and strawberry if desired.

Comments: I chose to serve this in a clear margarita glass and I have to say, it was the perfect choice as it showcased the layers perfectly! This is a perfect summer drink for sitting on the deck out in the sun (which also happens to be where we were when tasting these!).

Tasting Notes: ‘delicious summer drink’ (according to my Mom); sweet, but not too sweet until you get to the grenadine at the bottom (I suggest using less if you like your drinks on the tarter side)

Blue Crush

3 oz gin

squeeze of fresh lime juice

2 tbsp blue curacao

1 tbsp peach schnapps

1 tsp confectioners sugar

lemon zest

Place a martini glass in the freezer to chill. Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the gin, lime juice, curacao, schnapps and sugar. Shake well for at least 30 seconds and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with the lemon zest.

Comments: The colour of this drink alone is enough to try it! It reminds me of the turquoise waters of the British Virgin Islands – it doesn’t get much more summery than that! If I were to make this drink again, I would probably increase the amount of lime juice and tone down the sugar as I like my drinks a bit less sweet, so definitely make this to taste.

Tasting Notes: just a hint of peach; relatively sweet; a bit of bite from the gin, but it is tamed by the sweetness of the curacao and sugar

Bikini Martini

1 oz coconut rum

3/4 oz vodka

1 oz pineapple juice

1 dash grenadine

Comments: The name suggests a martini glass (obviously!) but all that I can say is that you should feel free to use whatever floats your boat, just make sure it’s clear, so that the beautiful shades of a sunrise are visible.

Tasting Notes: sweet, but not cloying