Summer Cocktail Formula
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I’ve spent some time this summer learning how to make cocktails (I’m usually more of a beer girl) and wanted to share my summer highball cocktail formula that I made up. It makes creating your own cocktails super easy if you follow the basic formula. It produces a cocktail that is super refreshing and perfect for a warm summer evening. Mix and match your favorite ingredients to let your imagination (and tastebuds) go wild!
Formula:
2 oz. spirit + 1 oz. sweet + 1 oz. sour
Topped with fizzy drink
Ingredients:
(see below for specific suggestions for each component)
2 oz. spirit
1 oz. sweet component
1 oz. sour component
2 sprigs of herb, plus more for garnish (optional, but recommended)
Splash of fizzy component
Directions:
(makes 1 cocktail)
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add in two sprigs of herbs, if using
Pour 2 oz. of spirit, 1 oz. of sweet component, and 1 oz. of sour component into the shaker and shake for 30 seconds
Strain into a tall glass filled with ice
Top with fizzy beverage
Garnish with slice of citrus or more herbs, if desired
Ideas for the various components:
Spirit: vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey, rum, brandy
Sweet: simple syrup, sweet liquer (Cointreau, St. Germain, triple sec, etc.), honey, maple syrup, sweet fruit juice like pineapple or orange
Sour: freshly squeezed citrus (lemon, lime, or grapefruit), vinegar (apple cider, sherry, balsamic)
Herb: mint, basil, rosemary, lavender, cilantro
Fizzy: club soda, ginger ale, tonic water, sprite/7up
Some of my favorite combinations so far have been:
Vodka, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, ginger ale, and mint.
Bourbon, lemon juice, elderberry syrup, club soda, and mint.
Tips:
-We keep a squeeze bottle of simple syrup in the fridge (1 part sugar to 1 part water, heated on the stove until the sugar dissolves into the water) to make it easy and convenient for cocktail hour
-We have a mini measuring shot glass and it makes it soooo easy to measure the ingredients
-For best results, use fresh ingredients when possible. I always squeeze fresh citrus and the herbs come from our herb garden.
Cheers!
