(I wanted to have these posts up sooner but my computer cord stopped charging, thus making my laptop unworkable)

I love drinking super girlie cocktails all the time, but let’s be honest its way more fun when its done poolside or at the beach in the sweltering heat. From mojitos to sangria, and of course margaritas, there is no shortage of delicious drinks to enjoy during the summertime. But in order to keep this post short and sweet, I’ve narrowed it down to a few of my favorites.

Enjoy!

Kiwicha
1/2 kiwi
2 oz. pisco
1/2 oz. passion fruit syrup (see below)
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
2 dashes lemon bitters
Ice cubes

To make passion fruit syrup, heat 1 cup of unsweetened passion fruit concentrate (Sanchez uses Perfect Puree of Napa Valley) with 1 cup of sugar and 1 Tbsp. of dried coriander. Allow to come to a boil, then cool and strain into a clean container. Keeps refrigerated for up to three weeks. [Link]

Harvest Cooler
2 oz. vodka (Richman uses American Harvest)
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. agave nectar
5 cubes fresh watermelon
Soda water
Ice cubes

Gently muddle watermelon in the base of the shaker. Add remaining ingredients, except soda water, and shake. Strain into an ice-filled Collins glass, top with soda water and garnish. [Link]

Strawberry Mojito
3 or 4 native heirloom strawberries
5 sprigs fresh mint
1 teaspoon Sugar in the Raw
Dash fresh squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 ounces Bacardi Limon
Splash club soda

Set aside one strawberry and one sprig of mint. Stem the remaining strawberries, and put them in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Remove mint leaves from remaining sprigs, discard stems, and add leaves to shaker. Add lime juice and sugar. Using a muddler or a long-handled spoon, bruise the fruit mixture. Add Bacardi Limon, and shake well. Fill a large cocktail glass with ice. Pour contents of shaker over ice. Add enough club soda to fill glass to the rim. Garnish with reserved strawberry and mint sprig. Makes 1 Strawberry Mojito. [Link]

Salty Chihuahua
Coarse salt, (optional)
4 ounces tequila, divided
2 ounces orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau, divided
3 cups grapefruit juice, divided
4 grapefruit slices, for garnish

Wet the rims of 4 glasses and coat with coarse salt (if desired); fill the glasses with ice. Pour 1 ounce tequila and 1/2 ounce liqueur into each. Top each with 3/4 cup grapefruit juice and stir. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit. [Link]

Fresh Whiskey Sours
3/4 cup whiskey (recommended: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (4 limes)
2/3 cup sugar syrup (see note)
Ice cubes
Maraschino cherries

Combine the whiskey, lemon juice, lime juice, and syrup. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and pour in the drink mix 2/3 full. Shake for 15 seconds and pour into glasses. Add a maraschino cherry and serve ice cold.

Note: To make the sugar syrup, bring 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to a boil, and simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. Chill before using. [Link]

Happy Drinking! Also if you have any drink recipe favorites to share, please post ‘em in the comments!