Summer Spirits

Cocktail options to sip during the sunny season

Unlike beer or wine, serving the hard stuff requires a bit more preparation and a bit of dedication to the fine art of mixology. Fortunately, these drinks take a lot of the guesswork out of creating some of the best concoctions to get the most out of your summer downtime.

Kiwi & Blueberry Mojito

Looking for a new take on a classic rum mojito? It’s kiwis to the rescue.

2 ½ oz rum1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice1 tsp white sugar12 mint leaves, torn into pieces2 kiwis, peeled and quartered

⅓ cup blueberries1 tbsp honeyClub soda, to taste4 kiwi slices (to garnish)2 tbsp blueberries (to garnish)

Place the quartered kiwis, blueberries, mint and white sugar in a cocktail shaker, and muddle them until pulverized. Then, place 2 tablespoons of the mixture in the bottom of a tall glass, followed by ice cubes, kiwi slices and blueberries.

Next, fill a cocktail shaker half-full of ice, and add the rum, lime juice and honey. Secure the lid, and shake until chilled. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass, and top with club soda to taste. Stir and enjoy.

Crown Royal Cocktail

If you grew up in Canada, chances are you had a purple velvet “toy bag” full of Lego or marbles. Here’s a whisky cocktail we hope you’ll find just as memorable.

1 oz Crown Royal Apple whisky1 oz Cointreau½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice1 ½ oz cranberry juiceSparkling water, to tasteSlice of lime, to garnish

Simply fill a tumbler with ice, pour in the ingredients, garnish, and serve.

Raspberry Fizz Mocktail

Make an impression with this delicious non-alcoholic mocktail.

750 mL bottle of raspberry Italian soda, chilled (or whatever flavour you like)

750 mL bottle of sparkling water, chilled1 cup white grape juice, chilledJuice of 2 limes12 mint leaves

2 cups frozen grapes, to garnish (and they double as ice cubes!)

Fresh raspberries, to garnishLemon slices, to garnish

Place a few handfuls of ice cubes in a pitcher, and top with the Italian soda, sparkling water, grape juice and lime juice. Next, add the mint leaves, frozen grapes, raspberries and lemon slices. Stir, and serve.

Tuscan Rosemary Lemon Drop

For the citrus set, here’s one to liven up those tastebuds.

1 ½ oz vodka½ oz limoncello½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice½ oz rosemary syrup

¼ cup white sugar mixed with 1 tsp lemon zest (for rimming the glass)

Rosemary sprig, to garnishCherry, to garnishFor the rosemary syrup½ cup sugar½ cup water4 sprigs rosemary

To make the syrup, bring the water, sugar and rosemary to a boil in a small pot; reduce the heat to low, and let simmer 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, strain the syrup and cool it to room temperature before placing in the fridge to chill.

Rim a Martini glass with lemon sugar, and set it aside. Next, pour all the cocktail ingredients into a shaker filled with ice, secure the lid and shake until chilled. Strain into the prepared martini glass and garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a cherry. n