Everyone loves summer cocktails. Even the most dedicated beer snob can be tempted by a poolside margarita. Play hostess with the mostest or last-minute home bar savior with these drink recipes ranked from Martha Stewart-level impressive perfection to an “already drunk at a kegger” simple crowd pleaser. They range from a high level of difficulty with more ingredients on the pricier end to easier and cheaper to make. Enjoy, and always imbibe safely.
Martha Stewart Drink Your Heart Out
by Jen Killius for Home Speakeasy
This is one of those recipes that would be labeled “bespoke” or “handcrafted” on a pretentious bar menu, and will knock the socks off of guests at your summer soiree. Just ask the bloggers at HomeSpeakeasy who generously shared the recipe from their summer cocktail party that “was the winner of the night.”
Blackberry Passionfruit Mojito by HomeSpeakeasy
- 1 pint blackberries
- 1 bottle Mount Gay Silver rum
- 1 cup Jamaican rum
- 1 cup mint simple syrup (recipe below)
- 1 cup passion fruit syrup
- 1/2 bunch of mint
- 0.75 liter seltzer water
- 1 cup lime juice
- Transfer the rum to a large mason jar, along with half of the blueberries and 10 mint leaves. Muddle the berries and leaves, seal, and allow to sit for 24-48 hours. Shake regularly.
- Fill a large round bowl (smaller than the bowl you will be serving from) with boiled water. Freeze. This will take at least 12 hours in most freezers, so leave time.
- Strain rum into a large pitcher to remove solids. Add passion fruit, lime juice and seltzer and stir well. Add additional passion fruit to taste.
- Get the ice bowl from the freezer and dip into hot water to release. Place it in the serving bowl. Toss in the remaining blackberries and 20 or so mint leaves. Pour the punch in, and enjoy!
(The other drink shown is Rye Mint Julep Punch, found at the same link above.)
