Summer is the best time of year for sunsets, rosé, and refreshing cocktails. Now that warmer weather is here, we need to talk about delicious signature cocktails that would pair perfectly with a summer wedding. Strawberries, watermelon, and peaches are at their peak, so putting those into cocktails is a refreshing way to add to the celebration. We love these fun cocktails:
Pineapple Juice and Vodka Champagne Mimosa
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh squeezed pineapple juice
¾ cup vodka
1 bottle chilled Champagne
Pineapple to garnish (optional)
Watermelon-Tequila Margarita
Ingredients:
¼ cup water
¼ cup granulated sugar
8 cups diced seedless watermelon (1 pound)
¼ cup fresh lime juice
1 ¾ cups blueberries
¾ cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, plus 8 sprigs for garnish
1 ¼ cups silver tequila
Ice
How to Make It:
Step 1
In a small saucepan, bring the water to a simmer with the sugar and stir over moderate heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute; let the sugar syrup cool
Step 2
In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the watermelon juice, pressing gently on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the pulp.
Step 3
In a large pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with the lime juice, blueberries and mint leaves. Using a wooden spoon, lightly muddle the blueberries and mint. Add the watermelon juice and tequila. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
Step 4
Pour the cocktail into tall ice-filled glasses. Garnish with the mint sprigs and serve.
Rosé Sangria
Ingredients:
½ cup sugar
2 pears
2 peaches
1 cup raspberries
¼ cup Triple Sec
1 bottle Rosé wine, chilled
How to Make It:
Step 1:
To make simple syrup, bring ½ cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, add the sugar and stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Cool completely.
Step 2:
Thinly slice pears and peaches. Reserve a few slices for garnish. Place the fruits in a pitcher and add triple sec, cold simple syrup and wine. Stir and serve.
Tequila-Watermelon Aguas Frescas with Prosecco
Ingredients:
½ cup water
½ cup sugar
1 chilled seedless watermelon (15 pounds), rind discarded and watermelon cubed (20 cups)
¾ cup tequila blanco
6 limes, thinly sliced
3 mint sprigs, plus mint leaves for garnish
Ice
1 bottle chilled Prosecco
How to Make It:
Step 1
In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring just to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Transfer the simple syrup to a heatproof bowl and let cool.
Step 2
In a food processor or blender, puree the watermelon in batches until smooth. Strain the puree into a large bowl or pitcher. Stir in the simple syrup, tequila, lime slices, 3 mint sprigs and 1/2 cup of water.
Step 3
To serve, pour the watermelon agua fresca into ice-filled glasses, leaving 1 inch at the top. Top off the drinks with Prosecco and garnish with mint leaves.
Sources:
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/tequila-watermelon-aguas-frescas-prosecco