beat the heat
3 tricks for sensations summer cocktails
There is nothing like sitting down and enjoying a nice cocktail after a hot summer’s day. While margaritas, mojitos and daiquiris are popular go-to drinks, the seasonal advantages of fresh ingredients provide wonderful options to expand your cocktail game. Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to beat the heat.
Use herbs and flowers from the garden. Muddling basil into a drink provides a refreshing alternative to mint. Burning a little fresh thyme or rosemary over a cocktail and then using it as a garnish is a great way to achieve new olfactory sensations. You can infuse flowerslike lavender and hibiscus into gin or vodka and create amazing concoctions. The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to use your imagination!
Flavored ice cubes are a fun and easy way to spice up cocktails. You can make cucumber cubes by blending up a cucumber with water, straining the pulp and then putting the juice into an ice tray. You can make any sort of flavored ice cube in the same way, just be sure to add some water or else the cubes will have too much sugar and melt too quickly. You can even make spicy ice cubes for your Bloody Mary by mixing hot sauce, water and a little black pepper and then freezing. The best thing about flavored ice cubes? They provide interesting colors and make your drinks look really cool.
Make your own syrups. Simple syrup is easy to make—just combine hot water and sugar. You also can make others out of agave, honey or even maple syrup in the same manner. Consider making fruit-flavored syrup by adding more sugar to a juice such as pineapple, orange or cranberry. This allows you to add the taste and sweetness of juice to a cocktail without adding volume to your drink. This technique is helpful when there are many different components to one cocktail.
The summer provides endless opportunities for cocktail experimentation. While the weather is nice and the produce is fresh, use some of these ideas to enhance your next happy hour while you are beating the heat. Cheers!