Summer brings a wealth of beautiful, bright colors — so we’re taking advantage of the season to compile some of our favorite red, white & blue drinks! Pick one, or serve all three at your backyard BBQ or fireworks fest. Check it out:
Summer Tonic
This cocktail is based on the Spanish-style G&T, but we’re giving it an American makeover! Red, white & blue, but also super customizable to whatever you have in your fridge or garden. Try playing with different flavors of simple syrup, or a variety of garnishes in the glass!
2 oz Vodka or Gin
½ oz Flavored Simple*
½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
4 Slices of Strawberry
8-10 Blueberries
Fever Tree Tonic
Drop 3 strawberry slices & blueberries into glass. Add simple, fresh lime juice and gin or vodka. Fill goblet with ice, add tonic, stir and garnish with a strawberry slice on the rim.
Summer Spritz
A super citrusy riff on a Negroni that dials down the bitter and ups the bright citrus, topping it all off with sparkling fizz.
1¼ oz Twisted Citrus Vodka
¾ oz Sweet Vermouth (we use Dolin)
½ oz Campari
1 Orange Slice
Club Soda
Muddle orange slice & campari in a Collins glass. Add vodka & vermouth, then fill glass with ice. Top with club soda, stir well, and garnish with an orange slice in the glass.
White Negroni
A crisp, summery take on the classic Negroni, this cocktail is a savory herbal treat.
1 oz Bokamaro
1 oz Gin No. 11
3/4 oz Dry Vermouth (we’re using Dolin)
Stir ingredients in a mixing glass, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist or swath.
Vodka Soda/G&T/etc.
Sometimes, the classics can’t be beat! These two-ingredient highballs are so simple to make, but maximize the bright, refreshing flavor while creating a totally clear drink.
1½ oz of your favorite NSD Gin or Vodka
Fever Tree Tonic Water
Add spirit to a Collins glass, then fill with ice & top with fizz. Garnish with whatever you like — a citrus swath or wedge, or if you want to continue the color story, a strawberry slice & a blueberry on a pick.
Blue Moon
Blue is a famously difficult color to find in edible nature — even blueberries turn pink when muddled! It can be fudged with a blueish violet cocktail, like the Blue Moon. (And if you boost the color with a tiny drop of blue food coloring, we won’t tell!)
2 oz Gin No. 6
½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
¾ oz Crème de Violette
Shake with ice, then strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or a skewer of blueberries.
Whether you’re getting together for a big shindig, or enjoying a quiet day solo, we hope you’ve found a great cocktail to keep you company!
