The summer season is finally here. Long summer nights have begun, whether on a terrace with a refreshing breeze or at a beach bar with the scent of the sea, but always with a cocktail in hand to awaken your five senses. From now on, summer nights will have a different flavor. What would you say is your ideal cocktail? At The Dutchess Sitges, we know what it is, and that's why we're giving you the best recipes to enjoy the season.
What Makes a Summer Cocktail Special?
A summer cocktail stands out for its ability to offer freshness and a pleasant respite from the heat. These drinks are typically light, refreshing, and vibrant in both flavor and appearance. Common ingredients include seasonal fruits, fresh herbs, and citrus juices, which not only provide intense flavors but also enhance hydration.
Additionally, the presence of ice, whether crushed or in cubes, is essential to keep the drink cold. These cocktails are usually visually appealing, with colorful decorations that evoke the festive and relaxed atmosphere of summer.
Key Ingredients for Summer Cocktails
Summer cocktails are characterized by their freshness and lightness, and there are certain ingredients that are key to achieving this effect:
Fresh fruits: Lemons, limes, oranges, watermelon, strawberries, and berries are popular for their juiciness and freshness.
Aromatic herbs: Mint, basil, and cilantro add a refreshing and aromatic touch.
Juices and nectars: Citrus juices like lemon or lime are essential for vibrant flavor.
Light spirits: Rum, vodka, gin, and tequila are the most common alcoholic bases.
Soda or sparkling water: To add a gentle fizz that makes the drink more refreshing.
Ice: In cubes or crushed, essential for cooling and diluting the cocktail.
These ingredients combine to create drinks that are perfect for enjoying on a hot summer day.
Popular Summer Cocktail Recipes
Summer is a time to relax, enjoy family and friends, travel, sunbathe, go to the pool, etc. But all of that is always better with a cocktail in hand to savor each moment. What is your favorite cocktail? At Dutchess Sitges, we can make any cocktail you want.
Mojito
Here is the step-by-step recipe for a mojito:
Ingredients:
10 fresh mint leaves
1/2 lime, cut into four pieces
2 tablespoons of sugar (or to taste)
Crushed or cubed ice
45 ml of white rum
Soda or sparkling water
A sprig of mint for garnish Steps to follow:
Muddle the limes and mint: In a sturdy glass, place the mint leaves and lime quarters with the sugar. Use a muddler to gently crush the mint and lime, releasing the mint's oils and the lime juice.
Add the ice: Fill the glass with crushed or cubed ice.
Add the rum: Pour the rum over the ice.
Mix: Stir the ingredients well with a long spoon.
Top with soda: Add soda until the glass is full.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and, if desired, a lime wedge on the rim of the glass.
Cosmopolitan
Discover the recipe for the most glamorous cocktail of the summer:
Ingredients:
45 ml of citrus vodka
15 ml of triple sec (like Cointreau)
30 ml of cranberry juice
10 ml of fresh lime juice
Ice
Lime slice or lime peel for garnish Steps to follow:
Chill the glass: Start by chilling a cocktail glass.
Mix the ingredients: In a shaker, add ice and all the liquid ingredients: citrus vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
Shake: Shake the mixture well until the shaker feels very cold to the touch.
Serve: Strain the cocktail into the pre-chilled glass to remove the ice pieces.
Garnish: Adorn with a lime slice or a lime peel to give it an elegant touch.
Piña Colada
Discover the recipe for a piña colada and the steps to follow:
Ingredients:
60 ml of white rum
30 ml of coconut cream
90 ml of pineapple juice
Crushed or cubed ice
Steps to follow:
Add the rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice to a blender.
Add ice to taste, enough to chill the mixture well.
Blend until the ice is finely crushed and the drink has a smooth consistency.
Serve in a large glass and garnish with a pineapple slice or a maraschino cherry.
Aperol Spritz
Enjoy your summer Aperol Spritz cocktail in just a few easy steps:
Ingredients:
Aperol
Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine)
Sparkling water or soda
Ice
Orange slice for garnish Steps to follow:
Fill a glass with ice to the brim to keep the drink very cold.
Pour 3 parts Prosecco over the ice.
Add 2 parts Aperol.
Add 1 part sparkling water or soda to give it a bubbly and smooth touch.
Stir gently with a spoon to mix the flavors evenly.
Garnish with an orange slice.
Bloody Mary
Do you want to make your own Bloody Mary? Here is the recipe so you can enjoy your favorite summer cocktail:
Ingredients:
45 ml of vodka
90 ml of tomato juice
15 ml of lemon juice
2-4 drops of Worcestershire sauce
2-4 drops of Tabasco sauce
Black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
Ice Steps to follow:
Prepare the glass: Fill a tall glass with ice to the brim.
Mix the ingredients: In a shaker, combine the vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Shake: Shake the mixture well until it is very cold.
Serve: Pour the mixture into the prepared glass.
Garnish: You can garnish with a celery stick and a lemon slice.
Margarita
The classic that never fails, the Margarita cocktail. A summer delight that cannot be missed this summer:
Ingredients:
45 ml of tequila
15 ml of orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
30 ml of fresh lime juice
Salt for rimming the glass
Ice Steps to follow:
Rim a cocktail glass with salt by first moistening the rim with lime juice and then dipping it in salt.
In a shaker, combine the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
Add ice and shake well until very cold.
Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Non-Alcoholic Summer Cocktails
Not everyone is a fan of alcohol, whether for health reasons or simply because they prefer to enjoy a summer without the side effects of alcohol. In any case, Dutchess Sitges always promotes responsible consumption of this substance and therefore also creates delicious 0.0 cocktails so you can enjoy summer just like everyone else. Here are some options for non-alcoholic summer cocktails:
Virgin Mojito: Combine fresh mint, sugar, lime juice, soda, and ice.
Non-Alcoholic Sangria: Mix fruit juices like orange and grape with pieces of fresh fruit and a bit of soda.
Non-Alcoholic Piña Colada: Use pineapple juice, coconut cream, and crushed ice.
Strawberry Lemonade: Mix traditional lemonade with fresh strawberry puree.
In any case, most cocktails can be made non-alcoholic as the main ingredients are their wonderful fruit juices and exotic elixirs.
Tips for Presenting and Serving Summer Cocktails
The key to enjoying a good cocktail is its preparation. Here are some tips for presenting and serving excellent summer cocktails:
Preparation:
Fresh ingredients: Use seasonal fruits and herbs for the best flavor and aroma.
Quality ice: Ice is essential to keep cocktails cold. Use ice made with filtered or distilled water to avoid diluting the flavors.
Proper tools: Make sure you have the right tools, such as a shaker, a mixing spoon, a strainer, and a jigger (bartending measure).
Prepare in advance: If you're making cocktails for a party, prepare some of the ingredients in advance, like cutting fruits or making simple syrups.
Presentation:
Choose the right glass: Use the appropriate glass for each cocktail. For example, martini glasses are ideal for dry cocktails, while tall glasses are better for cocktails with more ingredients.
Decoration: Garnish your cocktails with fresh fruits, herbs, spices, or edible flowers.
Ice: Use enough ice in the glass to keep the cocktail cold without watering it down.
Visual presentation: Make sure your cocktails look attractive. A good presentation can enhance the enjoyment of the drink.
Service:
Chill the glasses: Before serving, chill the glasses in the freezer or refrigerator.
Serve immediately: Cocktails with ice should be served immediately after preparing them.
Offer napkins: Make sure to have napkins on hand so guests can clean up any spills.
Additional Tips:
Offer a variety of cocktails: To please all tastes, offer a variety of cocktails, from classics to the most creative.
Consider your guests' preferences: If you know your guests' preferences, you can prepare cocktails they will enjoy.
Provide non-alcoholic options: For those who do not drink alcohol, offer non-alcoholic cocktails or mocktails.
Create a pleasant atmosphere: Play background music and decorate your space to create a pleasant atmosphere for enjoying the cocktails.
What does your summer taste like? Perhaps a mojito, a margarita, or do you prefer the sweetness of a piña colada? Whatever it is, at The Dutchess Sitges, we prepare the flavor you like best so you can have the best experience drinking the best cocktail of the summer.
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