On a summer evening, after a long
hot day, there’s nothing quite like drinking a beer to relax and cool off.
There are some thought that don’t drink this magical elixir and other times
(one of us is ashamed to admit) that you might be in the mood for something a
little different. While you may think of cocktails as usually the province of
winter drinking or in bars, there are surprisingly refreshing ones that can be
enjoyed during a summer scorcher.
We begin with an easy classic: the
Tom Collins. A classic cocktail dating back to at least the late 1800s, it is a
very simple drink. Cool, light, and refreshing, this is perfect drinking
for sitting on a beach or on your porch reading that Steinbeck novel that you’ve
been putting off for years.
Tom Collins
2 oz Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
1 oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
Club Soda
Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass (or higball glass) top off with Club Soda.
2 oz Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
1 oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
Club Soda
Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass (or higball glass) top off with Club Soda.
A (if possible more British) cousin
of the above is Pimm’s and Lemonade. Unlike the previous drink, this classic
English drink is ideal for celebrating the birth of a future British monarch
(and also summer days but we digress). While it is possible to make this drink
without the fresh fruit and cucumber, it’s really not the same and more
importantly, you would earn the stern disapproval of the authors’ British
friends. Because drinking to a new monarch necessitates large
quantities for … umm … social consumption, we present just such a recipe
Pimm’s and Lemonade (four servings)
8 oz. Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
24 oz. Fentimans Victorian Lemonade (chilled)
1/2 English Cucumber
1/2 Orange
4 Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Mint
In a large pitcher mix the Pimm’s and Lemonade. Slice the cucumber, orange, and strawberries and add to the pitcher. Add a handful of mint leaves. Pour into a pint glass full of ice.
Pimm’s and Lemonade (four servings)
8 oz. Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
24 oz. Fentimans Victorian Lemonade (chilled)
1/2 English Cucumber
1/2 Orange
4 Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Mint
In a large pitcher mix the Pimm’s and Lemonade. Slice the cucumber, orange, and strawberries and add to the pitcher. Add a handful of mint leaves. Pour into a pint glass full of ice.
Now, if your idea of cooling off in
the summer is more drinking till your extremities go numb, then try the Hurricane.
Purportedly invented by a bartender who wanted to use up a variety of different
rums very quickly (we suspect he just wanted to get his patrons schwasted),
this drink certainly packs a punch (no, that was not a pun). It is a strong
drink with enough sweetness and citrus to make you completely forget how much
alcohol is in it (and also be refreshing, in our opinion).
Hurricane
2 oz Black Seal
2 oz Appleton Estate V/X
1 oz Wray and Nephew
2 oz Lime Juice
3 oz Passionfruit Syrup
0.5 oz Grenadine
Shake all ingredients with ice and pour over ice in a Hurricane glass (or highball glass). Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry.
2 oz Black Seal
2 oz Appleton Estate V/X
1 oz Wray and Nephew
2 oz Lime Juice
3 oz Passionfruit Syrup
0.5 oz Grenadine
Shake all ingredients with ice and pour over ice in a Hurricane glass (or highball glass). Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry.
However you choose to beat the heat,
there is a cocktail for you (and the best part is we still have a few more up our
sleeve saved for some future posts); what’s more, these go great with spicy
food. So there, we’ve solved your evenings for you – some deliciously spicy som
tum (a Thai papaya salad) and enjoy one of these drinks with it.
Cheers!
A&B
