Colin Cowie's Cool Summer Cocktails
Summer soirees are the best time to create fabulous and unique cocktails. Renowned event planner Colin Cowie offers tips and recipes for drinks to help you keep cool all summer long.
Planning a party? Cowie says guests should feel as comfortable as possible when they come to a cocktail party or summer soiree. As the host or hostess, you should be well prepared and have a bat that is well stocked.
It's important to organize your bar in advance. Cowie says pull out your glassware and wine. Remember to chill your white wine and champagne.
Tending bar shouldn't take you away from the fun of your summer gathering. By pre-mixing cocktails and other drinks and setting up a pre-made pitcher of drinks or a beverage server, you can enjoy the party as much as your guests do.
With these tips (and the recipes below) you'll be ready to greet guests at the door with a colorful drink and jump start the evening! Remember: a guest's first impression at the door leaves a lasting impression at the party.
All of the cocktails below use five ingredients or less. They use fresh ingredients with simple, straight-forward flavors and easy preparation. Some of these cocktails can be made in advance and placed in a pitcher so all you have to do is shake and pour.
For that extra special touch at parties, Cowie suggests using custom-made ice cubes and garnishes to jazz up any drink!
The Recipes:
1. Daydream
2 oz. Bacardi rum
.75 oz. runny honey (honey and water)
.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
Splash of orange blossom water
2-inch slice of cucumber
Muddle (smash together) orange water and cucumber.
Add remaining ingredients. Shake and strain into rocks glass.
Garnish with cucumber spiral
2. Royalty: (Can be prepared in advance)
2 oz. Reposado tequila
2 scoops fresh watermelon
1 mint sprig
1 oz. simple syrup
.75 oz. fresh lime juice
Muddle mint and watermelon. Add remaining ingredients. Shake and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with mint sprig.
3. 2010 (Can be prepared in advance)
3 oz. Tanqueray No.10
2 oz. fresh pink grapefruit juice
.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
.75 oz. Creme de Mure (blackberry)
Shake and strain into Martini glass.
Garnish with grapefruit twist
4. Almond Highball (non alcoholic)
1.5 oz. almond syrup
1 oz. lime juice
Club soda
Highball glass with jewel ice cubes
5. The Fawn (For the kids)
6 large strawberries
1 scoop of ice
1 oz. simple syrup
.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
.5 oz. fresh orange juice
.5 oz. grape juice
Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth consistency and
pour over jewel ice cubes in a highball glass. Garnish with circular "orange" candy.