Summer Cocktails

This summer, there are a few major cocktail trends that you should watch out for. The biggest trend seems to be the unification of the farm-to-table movement and the craft cocktail movement. Bartenders are focusing more on the quality of the ingredients than ever before, and premixed drink flavors are becoming more and more unfavorable. You will now see bartenders using a variety of tactics, such as infusing, muddling, and straining ingredients in order to create the most innovative and delicious flavors. Start using fresh herbs, spices, and fruits in your cocktails, and you are sure to impress all of your friends and family! Here are a few recipes to help you on your way to making this summer's greatest cocktails!

Southern Iced Tea Cocktail
Ingredients:
1 quart size Mason jar, or 2 pints
1 ounce of light rum
1 ounce of vodka
1 ounce of gin
4 ounces of freshly squeezed lemon juice or lemonade
3 ounces of unsweetened iced team
1-2 ounces of simple syrup, to taste
Sprigs of mint, for garnish
Slices of lemon, for garnish



Instructions:
Fill a quart Mason jar with ice. Add the rum, vodka, and gin, lemon juice or lemonade, iced tea and simple syrup. Stir thoroughly, taste, and adjust sweetness if needed. Garnish with a slice of lemon and sprig of mint.

(Source: DeepSouthDish.com)

Malibu Sunset
Ingredients:
1 oz Malibu coconut rum
3 oz pineapple juice
3 oz orange juice
1 splash cranberry juice

Instructions:
Pour Malibu rum into an ice-filled hurricane glass. Add pineapple juice and orange juice. Top off with a splash of cranberry juice, garnish with a cherry, and serve.

(Source: Drinksmixer.com)

Strawberry Ginger Margarita
Ingredients:
2 medium sized pieces of ginger
1/2 pint strawberries
2 1/2 cups of water
2 cups granulated sugar
2 ounces Sauza gold tequila
1 ounce triple sec
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
3/4 ounce strawberry ginger syrup

Instructions:
Wash and remove stems from strawberries. Peel and cut ginger into smaller chunks. Puree strawberries and ginger in a blender with 1/2 cup water until completely smooth. Place strawberry ginger mixture in a saucepan with remaining 2 cups of water and granulated sugar. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently so it does not burn or stick to the pan. Let mixture simmer for 10 minutes, then turn off. Let the syrup cool down to room temperature. Refrigerate overnight. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer.

Method:
- Place all ingredients in a 1/2 pint glass. Shake and return to a 1/2 pint glass.
- Garnish with lime and a half a strawberry crusted with kosher salt.

(Source: Instyle.com)