Cool cocktails to tame the summer heat
Georgia heat does not play around. By mid-June, Georgians, as well as most Southerners, are wondering why they wished for warmer weather back in February. And in July, well, coupled with humidity and the afternoon thunder-boomers, you’re counting down the days until winter once again.
However, when pool weather or beach vacations lure you outside to the heat of day, allow these unique cocktails to sweeten and cool the afternoon. Use all suggested ingredients and brands for the intended taste profile. We’re also bringing wine into the mix, with wine taking a front-row cocktail seat. You’re welcome!
Lychee Martini
1.5 oz Pegasus Vodka
.5 oz Eau d'Or
1 oz lychee nectar
.5 oz lemon juice
lychee, for garnish (a small tropical fruit native to Asia)
Add all ingredients into a shaker. Add ice and shake hard. Double strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lychee.
Pineau Fizz
1.5 oz Ferrand Pineau des Charentes Blanc
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
.25 oz simple syrup
soda water, to top
lemon wheel, for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a highball glass with fresh ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon wheel.
Arnold Palmer
1.5 oz Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur
3 oz fresh lemonade
3 oz unsweetened iced tea
mint sprigs, for garnish
Fill a tall glass with ice, pouring in fresh lemonade followed by iced tea. Top with Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur and stir. Add additional Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur if desired, for extra sweetness. Garnish with mint sprigs.
Cherry Mule
1.25 oz Schladerer Cherry Liqueur
.25 oz lime juice
4 oz ginger beer
Fill a highball glass with ice and add Schladerer Cherry Liqueur. Squeeze a wedge of lime into the glass and top with ginger beer.
Photo credit: Schladerer
Peaches & Cream Dirty Soda
1.5 oz Mozart White Chocolate Liqueur
4 oz OLIPOP Peaches & Cream Soda
.5 oz cream or milk of choice
peach slices, for garnish
Pour Mozart White Chocolate Liqueur and soda over ice. Top with cream and garnish with peach slices.
Three Dots and A Dash
.5 oz STROH 160 Rum
.5 oz Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur
1.5 oz dark demerara rum
.5 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz fresh orange juice
.25 oz Velvet Falernum
.25 oz allspice dram
1 dash Angostura Bitters
3 maraschino cherries and 1 pineapple frond, for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled and serve in a pilsner glass. Thread cherries on a cocktail pick and garnish with pineapple frond.
Photo credit: STROH 160 Rum
Planters Punch 160
2 oz STROH 160 Rum
4 oz pineapple juice
2 oz fresh orange juice
2 oz fresh lime juice
splash of grenadine, to top
maraschino cherry, orange slice and pineapple wedge, for garnish
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, adding STROH and juices. Shake vigorously to blend. Strain into a tall Tiki mug. Top with a splash of grenadine. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, orange slice and pineapple wedge.
Wine as a mixer | the woman behind the wine
The ‘family’ wine story isn’t exactly what you think it is. Amy Ezrin was an ‘okay’ opera singer, in her words. Better at speaking Italian and tasting wine, she became a wine importer working with Italian wineries. And then, she saw the market need for a more sustainable packaging without sacrificing quality. Organic, low alcohol and low sugat.
Her creation - built from her alter ego of Sandy Giovese (a play on the name of one of Italy’s greatest red grape, Sangiovese) - Sandy, became the original of a brand that checked all the boxes. First, Sandy, then, Rosie (pink wine) and now Bianca, a zesty white. The ‘family’ collection joined three sisters with three different personalities.
Giovese Family Wines of Le Marche, Italy, is a woman-led team with a premium portfolio of some of the best boxed wines on the market: eco-conscious, easy-drinking, and deliciously juicy. Produced on a single, family-owned estate, the wines are made from 100% organically-farmed Italian grapes with low sugar, low alcohol, and very low sulfites. Giovese Family Wines is a member of the Alternative Packaging Alliance (APA), committed to environmentally friendly packaging. One box is equivalent to four bottles of wine with a value of under $10 per bottle, has one-tenth of the carbon footprint of one traditional glass bottle, and stays fresh for up to a month or more in the fridge. No empty bottle pileup necessary, so you can enjoy guilt-free!
Enjoy this wine cocktail with the original Sandy.
Sandy Giovese Sangria
Serves 8-10, Cocktail Credit: Lia Dionisio @jerseydrinks
4 cups Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso
1 cup añejo tequila
.5 cups blood orange liqueur
1 cup pomegranate juice
1.5 cups ginger beer
1 red apple, diced
1 pear, diced
1 orange, sliced
pomegranate seeds
Combine Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso, tequila, blood orange liqueur, and pomegranate juice in a pitcher with diced red apple, diced pear, orange slices and pomegranate seeds. Stir to combine and cover in refrigerator for at least five hours or overnight. Before serving, add ice to pitcher, top with ginger beer and stir well to combine. Serve in a wine glass with soaked fruit.
Rosie Giovese Vino Rosato, Giovese Family Wines
Rosie Giovese Vino Rosato – Newly reformulated with a vibrant blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Sangiovese, this crisp Italian rosé is exceptionally versatile. Crafted to be bone-dry with no residual sugar and a lower alcohol profile, it’s both easy to drink and approachable. The palate offers bright notes of ripe strawberry and white cherry, layered with subtle hints of fresh grass. Rosie finishes crisp and refreshing, with a delicate, lingering fruitiness. (Photo Credit: Giovese Family Wines)
Bianca Giovese Vino Bianco –Now officially organic-certified, Bianca (60% Grechetto, 30% Trebbiano, 10% Sauvignon Blanc) is a light bodied white wine offering fresh floral aromatics layered with notes of yellow peach and vibrant lime zest. On the palate, Bianca delivers bright flavors of nectarine and tangerine, balanced by moderate alcohol and a refreshing, clean finish. (Photo Credit: Giovese Family Wines)
For more information about this brand or make an order, visit the website www.giovesefamilywines.com
