What to Drink for the Rest of Summer
Aperol spritzes not included
Aperol spritzes not included
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the Aperol spritz… it’s just that there are quite a few things I’d reach for first. For some refreshing cocktails to round out your summer, here’s what I’d highly recommend and what you’ll find me drinking more often than not (poolside and what have you). These are all drinks that you can easily make for yourself and your friends at home, or that you can simply order at the bar. I find myself shamelessly pulling up an ingredients list to show the bartender if they haven’t heard of what I’m asking for (the Sardinian Iced Tea and the Roman Holiday aren’t standardized drinks), and have had bartenders happily make them for me, then inform me that they poured a taste for themselves and immediately fell in love with the drink. Lots of bartenders will be stoked to make a drink for you, typically if they haven’t had a version like what you’re asking for! So I feel it out, and if they’re not slammed and seem eager, I’ll give it a shot. I will note that the Paper Plane is a tried-and-true drink, and I’ve yet to encounter a bartender who hasn’t heard of it. Same with an Amaro spritz— both are fairly straight-forward!
How to make it:
Muddle mint leaves and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add amaro, vermouth, and lemon juice; fill shaker with ice. Shake until outside of shaker is frosty, about 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with mint sprig and lemon wedge.
How to make it:
Add the bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon juice into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled, then strain into a coupe glass.
Photo via Imbibe
How to make it:
Combine the first 3 ingredients in an ice-filled Collins glass, stir, then top with sparkling wine and garnish. *If you’re in Portland, stop by Someday and grab one of these on the patio— this is their recipe and it’s exquisite!
Cynar Spritz
3 parts dry prosecco
2 parts Cynar
1 splash club soda
1 lemon wheel, for garnish
2 Castelvetrano olives, for garnish
How to make it:
Fill a wine glass with some ice. Add Cynar, then prosecco. Top with a splash of club soda, then garnish with 1 lemon wheel and 2 olives per glass.
Aviation
2 ounces gin
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur
1/4 ounce crème de violette
Ice
How to make it:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for about 30 seconds or until a frost forms. Double strain into a cocktail glass, then garnish with a cocktail cherry or lemon twist.