The kids may be back in school but that doesn't mean that summer is over. Try a few of our midafternoon specialities to cool off from the midafternoon blues.
Summer Solstice
Ingredients
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce kirschwasser
• 1 teaspoon strawberry liqueur
• 5 fresh strawberries
• tonic water, as needed (use Schweppes Russian if available)
• 1 drop Angostura bitters
• splash grenadine
• halved fresh strawberry/orange, and cherry for garnish
• ice
Directions
Purée the strawberries in a blender then pour over ice in a shaker before adding the Vodka, Kirsch and strawberry liqueur.
Shake thoroughly then pour into a highball glass with ice, and top-up with the Schweppes Russian.
*NOTE: If you can't find Schweppes Russian, use tonic water and add a drop of Angostura bitters and a splash of grenadine).
Garnish with halved strawberries and serve.
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The Mid-Summer Nights Dream
Ingredients
• 3 slices cucumber, peeled
• 6 sprigs mint
• 4 ounces Tanqueray gin
• 4 ounces pomegranate juice
• 2 ounces fresh lime juice
• 6 drops rose water
• Edible pansies for garnish
• Pink sugar for rimming the glasses (optional)
Directions
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber and the mint.
Add the rest of ingredients. Let sit for a minute.
Shake vigorously. Strain into two Martini Glasses rimmed with pink sugar.
Garnish with 1 floating pansy.
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Cruzan Peach Splash
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 parts Cruzan Peach Rum
• 1/2 part Lemon Juice
• 1 slice of Fresh Ginger
• Tonic Water
Directions
Lightly muddle Ginger in a tumbler.
Add Cruzan Peach & Lemon over ice and shake.
Pour into a rocks glass and top with Tonic.
Garnish with a Peach Slice.
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Midsummer Peach Cider Cocktail
Ingredients
• 2 Bottles Rekorderlig Pear Cider
• 3 oz Cachaca
• 1 oz Peach Liqueur
• 4 oz Fresh lemon juice
• Ice + Peach Slices
• Fresh Mint, optional
• Ice
Instructions
Mix first five ingredients together.
Serve over ice and with sprigs of mint, if desired.
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Cointreau Berry Rickey
Ingredients
• 2 oz Cointreau triple sec
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 Blackberries
• 2 Raspberries
• 5 Mint Leaves
• 3-4 oz Club Soda
Directions
Muddle the berries and mint in the bottom of a glass.
Add Cointreau and fresh lime juice with ice, and top with club soda.
Stir briefly. Garnish with a berry and mint sprig.
