Travel with 5 Easy Summer Drinks
Summer drinks in slow mode.. traveling to different parts of the world without leaving your backyard… It’s possible with these easy summer suggestions.
Close your eyes and go to Brazil, to Mexico, to the South of France and Italy with every sip. Enjoy !
1. CAIPIRINHA!
Caipirinha Summer Drinks
Among the easy summer cocktails to enjoy anytime (and of course in moderation), the caipirinha is a favorite and takes only 15 minutes to make!
Personal opinion, it’s the number 1 most delicious and easy summer cocktail that uses simple ingredients and transports you straight into your most memorable vacation.
If you can’t find cachaça, then you can replace it with vodka – and it becomes a Caipirovska, very easy summer drinks.
You could also be adventurous and try a maracuja (passion fruit) version which you’ll never forget!
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 limes
- 30cl cachaça (or rum if you can’t find cachaça – or vodka for a caipirovska)
- 3 tsp sugar cane or regular sugar
- crushed ice
HOW TO
- Cut the limes into very small pieces. It’s best to take out the central white membrane.
- Use a pitcher or other recipient to mix in the sugar over the lime pieces and “crush” to extract the lime juice
- Add the ice and mix until all ingredients are well blended. Use a shaker if you have one, but it’s not necessary.
- Prep the glass by sliding the lime around the rim and placing it upside down in the sugar.
- Serve your delicious caipirinha and beware – its sweetness is misleading!
Serves 4. You can also make the caipirinha directly in individual glasses.
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2. EASY SUMMER DRINKS: SANGRIA
Sangria has Spanish origins and is, of course, one of the best-known drinks of all time!
Sangria is packed with fruity flavor and sweetness.
There are a few easy summer drinks you can enjoy in any season or situation where you’d want to celebrate, relax, and enjoy.
And Sangria is one of them.
The deep reds and oranges of this fruity drink are like having a direct ticket to Spain with every sip!
INGREDIENTS
- 750ml of Red Wine – use a good quality wine that you enjoy drinking as it’s a central ingredient in your sangria!
- 1/4 cup of Brandy or a triple sec if no brandy.
- 1 of each: lemon, orange, apple, peach – you could also innovate and use different fruits to your liking
- 1 cup fresh orange juice or juice of 2+ oranges
- Cinnamon sticks and mint sprigs + any other pinch of spice you love
- sparkling water (optional)
HOW TO
- Choose a large pitcher.
- Chop all the fruits into small chunks and wedges. Leave the skin on.
- Add in the wine, the brandy, and the sugar if using. Mix it all up really well.
- Place your pitcher in the refrigerator for several hours. Remember the longer you leave it to infuse the better the taste.
- Serve over ice and (optional) add sparkling water for a fuzzy taste.
- Add a few pieces of fruit inside the glass
Makes 10 servings.
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3. PASTIS: A FAVORITE IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
If you’ve ever been to the south of France, well, you know the locals can’t get enough of Pastis.
So, among popular and easy summer drinks, Pastis is probably way up on the list on this side of the world.
Its anise flavor coupled with a sprinkle of licorice powder gives it a distinct taste.
Pastis reminds us of the stronger greek Ouzo or middle eastern Arak – minus the herbs.
Pastis is meant to be shares with friends or during a fun game of petanque 🙂
Actually, any occasion is an excellent reason to enjoy a Pastis.
Summer is just another excuse to enjoy this delicious drink. But you have to like the taste of anise and licorice.
Otherwise, there are plenty of other easy summer drinks to choose from!
HOW TO
Making a tall glass of pastis can’t get any easier.
Pour about 1/2 an inch of pastis into a glass.
Add cool to cold water to the top. (7 parts water to 1 part pastis)
Sip slowly until you are transported to the South of France.
Enjoy.
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4. MARGARITA Mexico in a Glass.
A Margarita evokes visions of a vacation on a sandy beach away from it all.
Among other easy summer drinks, the margarita can be high in alcohol, but dose it to your liking and it will still taste perfect.
It’s a delicious drink with simple ingredients: Tequila, tangy lime juice, and orangey triple sec.
Whether summer or not, it goes great with Mexican food, just shake up a few batches to enjoy with friends.
Are you feeling ready to go further? Then try a strawberry margarita or pineapple, and why not watermelon?
INGREDIENTS
2 oz tequila – preferably Blanco as the others have a high amount of unknown sugars
1 oz triple sec – or any good quality orangey liquor
2 tbsp agave syrup
1 lime squeezed + 1 lime wheel for the rim
Kosher salt for the rim
HOW TO
- Combine the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice in a shaker.
Add some ice cubes and keep shaking. - Taste for sweetness and if necessary add a couple more teaspoons of sugar.
- Prep your glass by sliding a lime around the rim. Then place the glass upside down in kosher salt.
- Now make a slit in the lime wheel and place it on the rim. You’re ready to enjoy.
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5. ITALY’S FAMOUS ORANGE DRINK
Although Aperol Spritz was made famous via all the Instagram shots, it’s actually 100 years old and people have been enjoying its sweet flavor for a long time.
The orangy color attracts and it’s actually pretty good. Sweet and at the same time the bitter orange gives it a nice twist.
Add prosecco and sparkling water, and you have a direct ticket to Italy’s beautiful shores.
INGREDIENTS
- 5 oz Aperol – has the color of an orangy sunset
- 5 oz Dry Prosecco
- 2 oz club soda or sparkling water
- Slice of lemon or orange for over-the-rim
HOW TO
- Put some ice cubes in your glass. Add equal amounts of Aperol and prosecco.
- Add a few splashes of sparkling water.
- Add an orange or lemon wheel to the rim.
Notes: if it’s too bitter, reduce the Aperol and add more prosecco. If it’s too alcoholly reduce the Aperol and Prosecco and add more club soda
Makes 2 glasses in 5 minutes.
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SO WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?
Among all the combinations of possible easy summer drinks, the list is endless.
I’ve chosen these 5 summer drinks which are the easiest to make. Of course, feel free to reduce the amount of alcohol if needed, without losing any flavor.
You can travel to Brazil, the South of France, Mexico, and Spain without leaving your backyard. Make sure your summer cocktails are infused correctly, and chilled, and sit back and enjoy.
