What are the best summer cocktails and mocktails to serve at your upcoming patio party? Think summer party drinks, and the citrus-y flavors of lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit come to mind. Pineapple and coconut bring the beach to the party; a few strawberries, dark cherries, a little ginger, some fresh herbs; a little rum or tequila perhaps…
Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
Ever wondered how to make a frozen strawberry daiquiri without using a prepared mix laden with sugar plus artificial colors and flavors? No need to panic, we’ve got just what you need to wow your guests and keep them cool for hours. And with the help of your blender plus a few simple ingredients, you’ll be ready to actually sip one yourself – in no time, without breaking a sweat! This healthier version of a homemade daiquiri recipe uses powdered monkfruit sweetener to make the simple syrup instead of refined white sugar. While monkfruit sweetener is considered a 1:1 replacement for sugar, we are also using a 1:2 ratio (one-part sweetener to two-parts water) instead so it is not overly sweet.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2
Sugar-Free Simple Syrup:
¼ cup powdered monkfruit sweetener
½ cup water
2½ cup fresh strawberries, hulled
¼ cup fresh lime juice
4 ounces light rum*
6-8 large ice cubes
Lime wheels and/or fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
*Mocktail version: use one-quarter cup of water instead of rum.
Prepare the simple syrup by combining the monkfruit sweetener and water in a small skillet. Stir to combine and heat until the sweetener dissolves completely, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Place strawberries, lime juice, rum and one-quarter cup simple syrup into a blender; blend until smooth. While the blender is still running, add the ice a little at a time until thoroughly combined.
Turn blender off and remove lid. Add more simple syrup to taste and blend for another 30 seconds to fully combine. Pour into hurricane glasses and serve immediately garnished with lime wheels and/or whole strawberries.
Frozen Piña Colada
Many piña colada recipes call for cream of coconut, a sweetened version of coconut cream. Here’s how to make a frozen piña colada that’s healthier for you: our refined sugar-free version substitutes the rich coconut cream found on the top of a can of unsweetened coconut milk. This recipe uses fresh pineapple cut into chunks and frozen for best results, but frozen or canned pineapple can also be used.
While simple syrup is normally prepared using a 1:1 ratio of refined white sugar to water, our simple syrup is made with powdered monkfruit, providing the perfect touch of sweetness to balance out the other flavors. While monkfruit sweetener is generally considered a 1:1 replacement for sugar, our one-part sweetener to two-parts water ratio works well in this case because the pineapple is inherently sweet.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Yields: 2 drinks
Sugar-Free Simple Syrup:
¼ cup powdered monkfruit sweetener
½ cup water
2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
8 ounces pineapple juice
1/3 cup coconut cream
4 ounces light rum*
6-8 ice cubes
Fresh pineapple slices for garnish
*Mocktail version: replace rum with 1 ounce of coconut cream and 3 ounces of pineapple juice before blending.
For the simple syrup, add powdered monkfruit sweetener and water to a small skillet. Stir to combine and heat until the sweetener dissolves completely, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Place frozen pineapple, pineapple juice, coconut cream, rum and one-quarter cup simple syrup into a blender and blend until smooth. With the blender still running, add the ice a little at a time until desired consistency is reached. Turn blender off, remove lid and taste. Add more simple syrup if needed and blend for another 30 seconds to combine.
Pour into glasses and serve immediately, garnished with fresh pineapple slices.
Frozen Miami Vice
Did you know that the Frozen Miami Vice cocktail is actually an imposter? In fact, it consists of a frozen strawberry daiquiri and a frozen piña colada twice layered on top of each other. Wondering how to make frozen miami vice drink? Simply follow our recipes above, and use our Mocktail version to really impress kids at a party!
Most likely named for the city where it originated, it is hard to not be reminded of the popular TV show of the same name and think of sandy beaches, palm trees, and swim up pool bars…
The secret is in the layering: simply add the first layer, then slowly pour each subsequent layer over the back of a large spoon, creating distinct layers while allowing the bright red from the strawberries to slowly wick into the lighter pina colada, creating beautiful patterns.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Yields: 4 drinks
Following our recipes above, make a batch of Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris and transfer briefly to the freezer; rinse blender thoroughly, then prepare a batch of Frozen Pina Coladas.
Fill each hurricane glass approximately ¼ full with the strawberry daiquiri mixture and top off with a layer of the pina colada mixture until the glass is half full. Repeat process and garnish with fresh strawberries and/or a wedge of fresh pineapple.
Dark Cherry Fizz with Mint
Ever wondered what is dark cherry juice good for? To make Dark Cherry Fizz cocktails for one thing: the natural tartness of the cherries combines fresh lime juice to create a well balanced drink that is not too sweet. Just add a touch of honey and finish with fresh mint for a refreshing libation.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4
2 cups dark cherries, pitted (fresh or frozen)
2 tablespoons honey
1 cup water
¼ cup fresh lime juice
1 cup fresh mint leaves, washed, patted dry and torn
2 cups club soda
*Cocktail version: add 1 oz. gin per serving.
Combine dark cherries, honey, and water in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes or until the mixture is warmed through and bubbly and the cherries release their juices.
Remove from heat and transfer the dark cherry mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a pitcher and let cool at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Add lime juice and mint leaves and stir to combine. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
To serve, fill four serving glasses with ice and add ¼ cup dark cherry mixture, ½ cup club soda, and one ounce gin, if using, to each glass. Stir gently to combine and serve immediately.
Lemon Spritzer with Fresh Herbs
Replete with amazing flavors, this refreshing lemon spritzer recipe incorporates lemon, ginger as well as fresh mint, basil and thyme. Its bright fruity flavor pairs perfectly with the warm earthiness of the culinary herbs and freshly grated ginger for a truly interesting combination. Sure to become a new warm weather favorite!
Prep time: 15 minutes (+ time to chill)
Serves: 4
2 tablespoons honey, preferably local
1 cup water
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh mint, washed, torn into pieces
2 tablespoons fresh basil, washed, torn into pieces
2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest, preferably organic
2 thyme sprigs
2 teaspoons ginger, finely minced
1 large lemon, thinly sliced
2 cup sparkling water
*Cocktail version: add 4 ounces of vodka.
Add honey and water to a small saucepan over medium heat and stir frequently until honey dissolves. Remove from heat and cool for 5-10 minutes before pouring into a pitcher. Add fresh lemon juice, fresh herbs, ginger and lemon slices.
Add vodka if using and stir gently to combine and place in refrigerator to chill. Just before serving, pour sparkling water into pitcher and stir to combine. Pour into glasses filled with ice and serve immediately.
Frozen Mango Slushy
This delicious, refreshing frozen slushy does not require any added sweetener thanks to a healthy dose of fresh or frozen mango and orange juice. A small amount of fresh lime juice adds just the right amount of tanginess to balance out the sweeter flavors.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4
2 ripe mangoes, peeled and cubed (or 2½ cups frozen mango)
¼ cup fresh lime juice
¾ cup fresh orange juice
½ cup water
8-10 large ice cubes
*For the Mango Margarita Frozen recipe cocktail version, add four ounces of 100% agave tequila.
Optional Garnish:
4 short fresh rosemary spears, bottom leaves removed
12 small fresh mango chunks
Prepare garnish by threading mango cubes onto fresh rosemary spears and set aside.
Add fresh or frozen mango, lime juice, orange juice, and water to a blender and pulse to combine. Add ice and pulse for a few seconds, just until the ice is crushed into small pieces – taking care not over blend! Pour into serving glasses, garnish with rosemary-mango spears and serve immediately.
Sparkling Paloma Cocktail
The Paloma is the national drink of Mexico. Our sugar-free Sparkling Paloma recipe uses fresh pink grapefruit juice and club soda instead of grapefruit soda. For a sweeter blend, add a little agave syrup or powdered monkfruit simple syrup. Sparkling palomas are commonly served in highball glasses, or simply use whiskey or stemless wine glasses.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Yield: 2 drinks
Himalayan rock salt (fine)
1 large lime, cut into wedges
Ice
6 ounces fresh pink grapefruit juice**
3 ounces blanco tequila
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Club soda
Lime wheels and/or twisted grapefruit peel for garnish
*Mocktail version: replace the tequila with additional club soda.
**Note that a manual juicer can extract approximately 6 ounces of juice from one large pink grapefruit.
OPTIONAL: Lightly sweeten each drink with agave syrup or 1-2 teaspoons of powdered monkfruit simple syrup (refer to Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri or Frozen Pina Colada recipes).
Pour the Himalayan salt onto a shallow dish. Wipe the rim of each whisky glass with a wedge of lime and place the wet edge into the salt to line the rim, rotating and firmly pressing the rim into the salt several times for optimal results.
Fill both glasses with ice. Divide the grapefruit juice, tequila, and lime juice between the two glasses and give the mixture a quick stir to combine. Top off each glass with some club soda; garnish with a lime wheel and/or a piece of grapefruit rind.
Pink Grapefruit Martini
Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4
Ice (enough to fill shaker)
1½ cup fresh pink grapefruit juice
¼ cup fresh lime juice
6 ounce vodka
2 ounces orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or triple sec
1 large lime, cut into slices
Using a cocktail shaker with lid, fill shaker with ice and add all other ingredients. Cover and shake vigorously to blend. Remove lid and strain into martini glasses. Garnish with slices of lime and serve immediately. Light and refreshing, it’s sure to be a hit at your next gathering!
For the Mocktail version, simply replace vodka and orange liquor with a cup of sparkling water and ¼ cup fresh orange juice for a delicious alcohol-free drink, and instead of using a cocktail shaker, pour all ingredients into a pitcher filled with ice to combine.
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