With the summer coming on at full speed, there will be more than enough excuses to come together with your family, friends, and neighbors. While I don’t play hostess all the time, I do enjoy having people come over, as it’s become more and more challenging to get out with three kids. This means I usually have a few recipes up my sleeve when another event comes up and I want to seriously impress. Pull out a pen and jot down some of these fantastic summertime drink recipes to pull out when you want to be the most envied host on your street.
Try something fruity with a Hawaiian Mai Tai
Pineapple juice is one of my favorite mixers for drinks and in the summer there’s nothing better than a mai tai. It’s so fruity and refreshing that you’ll want to have some mixed up for any get togethers you may be planning for the future. The sweet pineapple and syrup are an excellent complement to the tang of the lime that you’ll feel like the cool breeze of the ocean is following you everywhere. This recipe will make enough for 6 total cocktails and fit nicely into a pitcher. Just pour them over some ice in your favorite tropical glasses and enjoy.
Ingredients for the Hawaiian Mai Tai
1 ½ cup pineapple juice
1 cup white rum
Juice from 5 or 6 limes (about ½ cup lime juice)
¼ cup orange curacao
¼ cup simple syrup
2 Tbsp maraschino cherry juice
Pineapple slices (optional)
Cherries (optional)
Mint sprigs (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir. Chill in the fridge until needed and serve over ice with optional toppings like pineapple, cherries, and mint.
Stay cool with Frozen Two-Tone Wine Coolers
When you have an evening of entertaining outside, I love to set out my long table, decorate it with fresh cut flowers and fairy lights and a ton of friends. Sitting under the stars and eating a meal that we all helped to bring together is magical. My top choice is always my frozen two-tone wine coolers, and they’re always gone in a hurry. The two flavors are classic strawberry and sweet peach. Offer your guests some fun straw (we have crazy straws, and everyone loves it!) and let them relax in the early evening with some gossip and friends. This recipe makes a blender full of four servings.
Ingredients for the Frozen Two-Tone Wine Coolers
1 bottle of your favorite white wine (not too sweet, you’ll be adding the blended fruit
2 cups of frozen peach slices
1 cup of frozen strawberries
3 cups of ice
With a blender, blend 2 cups of white wine, 2 cups of frozen peaches, and 2 cups of ice to a smoothie consistency. Pour into 4 glasses. Blend 1 cup of wine, 1 cup of strawberries, and 1 cup of ice to the same consistency and top the other mixture. Serve immediately.
Keep it light with a Rose Petal Sangria
When the days get longer, my friends and I will find any excuse to get some free time together. With our busy schedules, it seems that the best way to do that is to meet up for brunch when they have the day off and I’m thankfully relieved of the kids by my partner. We meet up at my best friend’s place. Her sangria was a showstopper. She’s got the greenest of thumbs and offers up a few roses from her ever-growing rose bush. Make sure that you use fresh roses that haven’t been treated with pesticides or food grade dried petals from a store.
Ingredients for the Rose Petal Sangria
1 bottle of your favorite Rose wine
¼– ⅓ cup Rose petal simple syrup (instructions below)
¼ –⅓ cup St. Germaine Liquor
1–2 Tbsp fresh wild rose petals (washed) for garnish
Fresh mint leaves for garnish ( optional)
Ingredients for the Rose Petal Simple Syrup
1/3 cup dried petals or 1 cup of fresh rose petals
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp lemon juice
To make the rose petal simple syrup: bring all the ingredients to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off heat and leave the syrup to steep overnight, or at least 10 hours. Strain and store in an airtight bottle.
To make the sangria: place all ingredients in a pitcher, stirring lightly as to keep from bruising the petals. Place in the fridge and serve over ice.
Pump up the fun with some Root Beer Creams
My partner and I host games nights at least twice a month. We’re always on the look-out for something to make our gatherings fun. These root beer creams will remind you of your favorite ice cream float and bring a light, fun atmosphere to your gathering. Just make each in your favorite small glass and gather around the table with your dice! I’m giving you the recipe by the glass, as you would with a regular root beer float.
Ingredients for the Root Beer Creams
1 scoop (around a ¼ to a ⅓ of a cup) of your favorite vanilla bean ice cream
2 ounces of Dark Spiced Rum
6 ounces of your favorite root beer
Whipped topping (optional)
Simply put the scoop of ice cream in your glass. Top with the run and the soda. Serve with a small dollop of whipped topping. Serve immediately with a spoon. Enjoy.
The summer is meant to be enjoyed by all, so make some time with your kids, family, and friends to make the most of it. Whatever kind of get together that you like, plan it and have a great time. With these few recipes, you can throw together an excellent drink for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a game night or a picnic beneath the stars, you’ll be ready to host a memorable party.
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